I was paging through the owners manual of my mom's 2014 Toyota Sienna, its in excellent shape with about 90k miles, and the manual stated that you should check the oil Every time you put fuel in the thing, and I was taken aback.
Do you really have to check your oil that often?? If so, why don't people do that? If not, why did they include it in the manual?
It is a good practice to do it that often.
About your other question: "why people don't do it?" Because they are people. Some do not even change the oil.
I check the oil in my vehicles once a day. It's the only good habit I have.
I check my oil daily. But I also drive a clunker. It's saved my butt a few times due to various gaskets or oil seals failing. Otherwise it gives you a good idea of exactly how much oil your car uses on a regular basis
Randomly check oil. Maybe pop the hood when washing a car.
I check my oil every once in a while, I also keep track how far I go between oil charges. I try to change my oil every 5000 miles or once a year for all my cars, It's a good habit to have if you own any type of car.
Check it once a week against a white cloth or tissue. Things to look for:
1. Colour
2. Smell - if it smells like the fuel you might want to change it every 3000 miles
3. Oil Level (if you are burning oil and/or leaking) - be sure to top it up.
I think car makes put that in time cover their ass.
With that said, it doesn’t hurt to check it.
