Checking Engine Oil

It is a good idea to check the engine oil level at each fuel fill. In order to get an accurate reading, the vehicle must be on level ground.

The engine oil dipstick handle is a yellow loop. See Engine Compartment Overview for the location of the engine oil dipstick.

1. If the engine has been running recently, turn off the engine and allow several minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan.

Checking the oil level too soon after engine shutoff will not provide an accurate oil level reading.

2. Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way.

Remove it again, keeping the tip down, and check the level.

    See also:

    When It Is Time for New Tires
    Factors such as maintenance, temperatures, driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions affect the wear rate of the tires. Treadwear indicators are one way to tell when it is time for ...

    Finish Damage
    Quickly repair minor chips and scratches with touch-up materials available from your dealer to avoid corrosion. Larger areas of finish damage can be corrected in your dealer's body and paint ...

    Information Displays
    Driver Information Center (DIC) The DIC displays information about the vehicle. It also displays warning messages if a system problem is detected. See Vehicle Messages for more information. All m ...