When should you check your vehicle's engine oil?

The best time to check your vehicle's engine oil is when the engine is off and on a level surface. This ensures that the oil has settled in the oil pan and provides an accurate reading on the dipstick. If the engine is running, the oil is circulating, and it may not provide a reliable indication of the oil level. Additionally, checking the oil on an incline could result in an incorrect reading, as the oil may not be evenly distributed. While regular maintenance checks are important for overall vehicle care, the specific act of checking oil levels requires the vehicle to be in a stable state for the most accurate assessment.