How do you check oil on 73 vw beetle?

Answer 1

There is a dipstick located to the right of the generator/alternator belt as you look at the engine. The oil dipstick usually has a loop at the top. When you pull this out, look near the bottom of the stick. There should be 2 etched lines. The bottom line is the MINIMUM oil line and the top line is the MAXIMUM oil line. When you take it out the first time, wipe the stick off (this will wipe off residual oil that may have splashed on it) and stick it back in the metal tube it came from. Pull it out again and look where the oil on the stick ends. This is your oil level. It should be somewhere between the etched lines. If you see no oil on the stick, you are very low and need to add some (SAE 30 is usually recommended, but check your maintenance manual to be sure). If it is above the line, drain some until it is within the two marks. VERY IMPORTANT! MORE IS NOT BETTER! You can end up with a blown seal if you have too much oil. There was a reason why VW engineers put a "max" level on the dipstick! It is generally recommended that if you do not have a filter on your engine (stock VW's only have the strainer plate), then you should change your oil every 1,000 to 1,500 miles. This will keep your engine running much longer.