Engine oil level inspection in Exeter
Professional engine oil level inspection services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
10-15 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Engine oil level properly inspected, topped up to correct level. Simple check that prevents expensive engine damage.
A Tenner's Worth of Oil Beats a New Engine
Low oil will destroy your engine - and quickly. Modern cars can use a surprising amount of oil between services, especially if you do short trips or motorway miles. Regular checks catch it before damage happens.
💡 Pro tip: Some engines are known oil-burners - certain Audi 2.0 TDIs, BMW 3-series, older Fords. If you've got one, check every fortnight. Ignore it and you're looking at a £3000+ engine rebuild.
Why Proper Checking Matters
It's not just about pulling the dipstick out:
| ✅ Done Properly | ❌ Quick Guess |
|---|---|
| Engine rested, accurate reading | Check straight after journey |
| Clean dipstick, proper technique | Smeared reading, guesswork |
| Check for leaks and condition | Just look at level |
| Top up with correct grade | Whatever oil's in the shed |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Accurate reading | Dipstick check with engine at rest |
| Condition check | Look at oil colour, check for contamination |
| Top up if low | Add correct grade to proper level |
📦 You're Left With
- Correct oil level
- Any issues spotted and noted
- Right oil grade used
- Engine protected
Pricing Guide
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Check level only | 10 mins | £60 |
| Check + top up | 15 mins | £60 + oil cost |
£60 minimum. Oil charged at cost if needed (typically £5-15).
Perfect If You...
✅ Can't easily check yourself - bad back, not confident
✅ Between services - catch problems early
✅ Planning a long trip - verify level before motorway
✅ Warning light showing - confirm it's not a false alarm
Why Choose Us for Engine oil level inspection in Exeter?
Accurate dipstick reading
Spot oil leaks early
Correct grade oil used
Avoid engine damage
What to Expect
Step 1: Engine Rest
If you've just arrived, I'll wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back to the sump - otherwise the reading's wrong.
Step 2: Read the Dipstick
Pull it out, wipe clean, push back in fully, then pull out again and read the actual level between the marks.
Step 3: Top Up If Needed
If it's low, I'll add the correct grade oil in small amounts until it's at the right level - not over, not under.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to check your own oil? Here's how to do it properly:
🔧 What you'll need
- Clean rag or kitchen roll
- Correct grade oil (check cap or handbook)
- Funnel (for topping up)
- Level ground
📐 Checking the level
- Park on flat ground, turn engine off
- Wait 5 minutes for oil to settle
- Pull dipstick out, wipe it completely clean
- Push it back in until it seats fully
- Pull out and read - should be between min/max marks
📐 Topping up
- Remove oil filler cap (usually marked)
- Add 250ml at a time using funnel
- Wait 30 seconds, recheck level
- Repeat until at correct level
- Replace cap firmly
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Checking straight after driving (oil's still in the engine)
- Not wiping dipstick before the real check
- Adding too much oil (causes as many problems as too little)
- Using wrong grade oil
- Checking on sloping ground
💡 Pro trick: Keep a bottle of the correct oil in your boot. If you're using oil between services, you can top up wherever you are. Just make sure it's the right grade - check the label on your oil filler cap.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 Modern car with no dipstick? Some newer cars only have electronic level sensors. You can still have me check - I'll use the dashboard display and verify there's no leaks or issues.
Dark black oil? That's normal - oil goes dark quickly. As long as it's smooth (not gritty) and the level's right, it's fine until your next service.
Oil level keeps dropping? Either burning it (blue smoke from exhaust) or leaking it (oil spots on your drive). I can't diagnose the full problem from a level check, but I'll mention if I spot obvious leaks while I'm there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't I just check my own oil level?
Course you can - most people do. But if you're not sure where the dipstick is, can't bend over easily, or want someone to check it's actually being done right, I'll do it. Plus I'll spot if there's a leak or other issue you might miss.
How do I know if my oil level's low?
Some cars have a warning light, but don't wait for that - it only triggers when it's dangerously low. Best to check every couple of weeks, or if you notice the engine getting louder or running rough.
What if my oil's really low?
If you're down a litre or more between services, something's wrong - either burning it or leaking it. I'll top it up to the right level and mention what might be causing it, but proper diagnosis needs more investigation.
Will you use the right oil for my car?
Yes - I'll check what grade your engine needs (usually on the oil cap or in the handbook) and use that. Wrong oil can cause problems, especially in newer engines with tight tolerances.
My dipstick looks weird - is that normal?
Depends what you mean by weird. Dark brown/black oil is normal. Milky oil means coolant's getting in (bad). Metal flecks mean bearing damage (very bad). I'll check the condition while reading the level.
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