Car maintenance for girls:
how to top up your car oil

Continuing our mini-series on car maintenance basics for beginners…

Getting to grips with car maintenance will help keep your vehicle in good working order and save you money in the process. Our car maintenance mini-series guides you through the basics; here we tell you how to change your car oil.

Car manufacturers recommend you change your oil every six months or 6,000 miles, but check your manual. To change your oil, follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Before you start
   

   Ensure the engine is switched off and cold.

2. Check the oil level
   

   Locate the oil cap – either from your manual or look for an oil can icon on the cap. Uncap it and remove the dipstick. Clean it off with kitchen roll, then insert back into the oil tank, making sure it’s pressed down as far as it will go. Remove again and check how far up the oil reaches on the stick.

3. Topping up
   

   Top up slowly with a suitable engine oil.

   The desired level is somewhere between the two marked ridges at the bottom of the stick – if the oil only reaches below the first mark, you need to add more. Add slowly, re-cleaning the dipstick and re-checking until the correct level is reached.

4. Check for leaks
   

   Check the oil level again a few days later to check that your car isn’t leaking oil. For advice on dealing with oil leaks, see our car problems article.

Elsewhere on this site you will find step-by-step instructions on:

• How to top up the coolant
• How to check tyre pressure
• How to jump start your car

If you are not sure of any procedure, then visit your mechanic or local garage.

Now that you’ve given your car a new lease of life, treat it to the cover it deserves by getting a car insurance quote from Privilege today.

Get a car insurance quote from Privilege today.