The best times to check your engine oil level are when the engine is cold (preferably before starting it in the morning) or five to 10 minutes after shutting down the motor. It’s a good idea to check the oil level when the engine is cold since all the oil is in the oil pan after sitting for many hours, helping you accurately measure the oil using the dipstick.
Meanwhile, you could also check the oil level of a hot engine, but you should wait a few minutes for the oil to drain and settle into the oil pan. When checking the oil level, the amount of oil should be between the L (LOW) and F (Full) markings on the end of the dipstick. If the engine is low on oil, open the oil cap, add fresh motor oil, reinsert the dipstick, and pull it out again to see the updated oil level.
If the engine has too much oil, drain it immediately and refill it with the correct oil level. Note that small cars and crossovers with three-cylinder engines need about three liters (1.05 quarts) of oil, while vehicles with four or six-cylinder engines need 4.5 and 5.5 liters. Furthermore, cars with larger V8 motors typically need around 7.5 to eight liters of oil.
