How often do you check your oil? Let me guess – you don’t, really, unless someone specifically asks you to. Well, let me ask you to do it at least once a month. Take your phone out right now and set a recurring monthly calendar event to check your oil. How about Saturday morning? That’s a great time to check out your car, and maybe even clean it out a little while you’re at it.

If you don’t know how to check your oil, it’s really simple, and everyone can do it. Here’s how to get that done – did you make a calendar event?

• Open the hood. Prop it so 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.