Before you start
- Your car’s owner’s manual (for fluid types and locations)
- A clean rag or paper towel
- The correct engine oil, coolant and screen wash for your car
- A funnel (recommended)
- Disposable gloves (optional)
Method 1 Get ready safely
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Step 1: Park on level ground
A slope gives a false reading. Apply the parking brake and turn the engine off.
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Step 2: Let the engine cool
Wait at least 10 minutes so the oil drains back into the sump. Check coolant only when the engine is fully cold. Some manufacturers recommend checking oil with the engine warm, so follow your manual.
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Step 3: Open the bonnet
Pull the bonnet release lever inside the car (usually near the driver’s footwell), find the safety catch at the front of the bonnet, lift it and secure it with the prop rod if there is one.
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Step 4: Identify the parts
Your manual shows a diagram of the engine bay. Caps for things you can check yourself are usually brightly coloured (often yellow or blue) and marked with symbols.
Method 2 Check and top up the engine oil
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Step 1: Find the dipstick
Look for a loop handle, usually yellow or orange, sticking out of the engine. Some newer cars have no dipstick: check the oil level in the dashboard menu instead.
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Step 2: Wipe and re-insert
Pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean, push it all the way back in, then pull it out again.
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Step 3: Read the level
The oil should sit between the two marks (dots, notches, lines or a hatched area) at the tip. The gap between minimum and maximum is often about 1 litre (1 quart).
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Step 4: Check the colour
Honey-brown to dark brown or black is normal. A milky or frothy look can mean coolant is getting into the oil; have it checked. A burnt smell or grit also needs attention.
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Step 5: Top up if needed
Unscrew the oil filler cap (marked with an oil-can symbol) on top of the engine. Using a funnel, add the oil grade from your manual (for example 5W-30) in small amounts, about 200 ml at a time, waiting a minute and re-checking until the level is near the maximum.
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Step 6: Don’t overfill
Too much oil can damage the engine and catalytic converter. If you overfill a lot, have the extra drained.
Method 3 Check the coolant (antifreeze)
Never open the coolant cap on a hot engine. The system is under pressure, and boiling coolant can spray out and cause serious burns.
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Step 1: Find the expansion tank
It’s a translucent plastic bottle, often with a pink, blue, green or orange liquid, and a cap with a warning symbol.
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Step 2: Read the level cold
The level should be between MIN and MAX on the side of the tank.
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Step 3: Top up correctly
Use the coolant type in your manual, pre-mixed or diluted as instructed. Never mix different types without checking they’re compatible.
Method 4 Check brake fluid, power steering and screen wash
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Step 1: Brake fluid
Find the small reservoir, usually near the back of the engine bay on the driver’s side. The fluid should be between MIN and MAX. A low level can mean worn brake pads or a leak, so have the brakes checked rather than just topping up.
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Step 2: Power steering fluid
Many modern cars have electric power steering with no fluid. If yours has a reservoir (often marked with a steering wheel symbol), check it against the marks.
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Step 3: Screen wash
Open the cap marked with a windscreen and spray symbol and fill it with screen wash. In freezing weather, use a winter mix rated for low temperatures. Plain water can freeze and doesn’t clean well.
| Fluid | How often | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | Monthly and before long trips | Oil warning light, burning smell, blue smoke |
| Coolant | Monthly | Temperature gauge high, sweet smell, steam |
| Brake fluid | Monthly | Soft or spongy pedal, brake warning light |
| Screen wash | Every couple of weeks | Low washer warning |
| Power steering (if fitted) | Monthly | Heavy steering, whining when turning |
Troubleshooting
The oil level drops between services
Some oil use is normal, but if you add more than about a litre every 1,500 km (1,000 miles), look for leaks under the car and ask a mechanic to check.
The dipstick reading is hard to see
Hold the dipstick against a white paper towel, or check in better light. Clean oil can be almost transparent.
The coolant keeps going down
Look for drips under the car or white smoke from the exhaust, and get the cooling system pressure-tested. Don’t just keep topping up.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check oil with the engine hot or cold?
Most manuals say warm but turned off for 5–10 minutes, or cold before your first drive. Follow your manual. Always check coolant cold.
Can I use any engine oil?
No. Use the viscosity grade (such as 0W-20 or 5W-30) and specification listed in your manual. The wrong oil can harm the engine and affect your warranty.
How often should the oil be changed?
Follow your service schedule, typically every 10,000–30,000 km or once a year, depending on the car. Topping up isn’t a substitute for an oil change.
Summary
Once a month, park level, let the engine cool, and read the dipstick after wiping it once. Top up with the correct oil in small amounts, check coolant and brake fluid against their marks only when cold, and fill the screen wash. Treat red warning lights and fast-dropping levels as a reason to see a mechanic.
