Remove the orange dipstick from under your hood.

Wipe the dipstick down with a rag or towel to ensure that you get a true reading.

Reinsert the dipstick all the way into its hole, then remove it.

The amount of oil on your dipstick determines the oil level. The top of the crosshatched area is the maximum amount of oil you should have, while the bottom of the crosshatching is the minimum.

Our oil level appears to be a little high. However, oil has not yet had time to seep into the nooks and crannies of the engine. Start the engine and let it idle for a minute. Turn the engine off and look underneath for leaks. Check the oil again. Now the filter is full of oil, the level should be close to the full mark on the dipstick.