Do you know that you should be checking your car’s oil at least once a month? Yeah, you should be. And that means knowing how to check your oil, which is also something that a lot of people don’t have experience with. We’ve put together this step-by-step guide to checking your oil that should have all your bases covered, and help you every month between oil changes when you check your oil!

• Open the hood. Prop it up so that it stays open.

• Locate the oil dipstick next to the engine. It should have a yellow handle and/or be labeled.

• Pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a clean cloth or paper towel.

• Dip the stick all the way back in.

• Pull it out again and look at the oil level. If it’s in the middle of the hatched/indicated area, you’re good. More is better, less is okay, but if you’re lower than the area you need to get your oil topped up and have your system checked for leaks.

• Look at the oil quality and color. If there are a lot of particles or if the oil looks sludgy, you need to get it changed as soon as possible.

• Put the dipstick back in.

• Close your hood.