Close How to Check the Oil in Your Toyota in St. Louis, MO
When you consistently travel around St. Louis, it’s only natural for the oil in your Toyota to degrade. For this reason, it’s important to check its oil on a regular basis. Ask our Service Department for help if you are uncertain.
How To Prepare
Before you check your car’s oil supply, it is vital that you prepare in a few ways. First of all, after you return from your trip to the Saint Louis Zoo, park your Toyota Camry, Corolla, or RAV4 on a flat surface. Parking on a hill or slope can skew the results of your examination. Also, wait a few hours prior to opening up the hood. This gives the fluid enough time to cool down after cycling through your extremely hot engine. We also recommend gathering a lightly colored rag or paper towel. That way, you will be able to get a good look at the oil and see if it has any impurities in it. If this is your first time checking the oil, consider reviewing your Owner’s Manual to get any other tips.
Check the Oil
After you prepare, pop open the hood to get a look at your vehicle’s engine. This is where you will find the dipstick that extends into the oil pan. Usually indicated by a bright ring or knob, this is a metal or plastic band that is used to show how much oil is in your car. Pull it out and wipe off any excess oil onto the rag that you procured in order to see what its quality is. Ideally, it will be a light amber color and will be free of particles and grime. After this, put the dipstick back and pull it out once again, taking note of where the recommended fill line is. If the supply is below the line, you should visit our nearby location before you venture across St. Louis.
Next Steps
It’s important to take notes about what you found when you checked your oil. If the quality of the fluid was grainy, dark, or especially viscous, then you will want to get a new batch. That’s because the engine will not function properly if its oil is dirty. Even if there was enough oil in the pan and it looked to be in good shape, you should still make a memo about when you checked. That way, when you peer beneath the hood again in about a month, you will know how quickly your vehicle goes through oil. We can offer advice about preparing for trips down I-55 when you use the Ask a Tech form on our website.
What To Do Before Checking Your Car's Oil
- Park on a level surface
- Wait a few hours before checking
- Have a towel or rag prepared
Dealership Information
Testimonials
“ I had a semi throw something in front of my car that I couldn’t avoid, after running it over my tire immediately went flat. I called the service department and they said they would put my spare on for me at no cost. I’ve never been there before or bought from them but they made a stressful situation a lot better. I greatly appreciate the kindness. ”
“ Been going here for over 15 years, I trust their service and advice. Excellent customer service. ”
“ Had a great experience buying a RAV4, Tyler Baker made the process very easy! ”
“ This is my favorite Toyota dealership in the St. Louis area. They have the best Customer Service and just overall great crowd. Great service department, the whole lot. Love them. ”
“ (Translated by Google) undefined (Original) I would like to share an amazing experience that we had when purchasing the 2026 Toyota Grand Hylander Hybrid at Ackerman Toyota. We had the pleasure of meeting salesman Ryan O'Leary, and we were highly impressed by his knowledge, professionalism, and thoroughness after visiting several local dealers who informed us that there is a 6-month waiting period before the vehicle becomes available. As stated, our amazing salesperson was amazing. He was able to order the vehicle, and we drove off the parking lot less than two months after the order. That's the cake, but the icing was that he took time with us to go over every inch of the vehicle and every feature that the vehicle has, and let me tell you, there are many. Thank you Ryan for going beyond our expectations! ”
“ Why did we buy/lease our car from Tyler Baker at Ackerman Toyota? Tyler developed our TRUST in his advice due to: his BROAD PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE about the various models available. He answered all of our questions with HONESTY and sought additional information with TRANSPARENCY. Tyler focused on our ideas and needs, and with his EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS, he was able to gather enough information to suggest choices to meet our expectations, especially when engaging with a couple who had different goals to satisfy. He had excellent PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS. Lastly, Tyler has EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE or EMPATHY which gave him the ability to understand different personalities and their interactions. We observed that quality through his patience and adaptability. Tyler Baker and the Ackerman Toyota Team are the best location for an excellent experience when purchasing/leasing an automobile. In other words, a 5-STAR Experience at Ackerman Toyota!!! Marion & Seth Eisen September 2025 ”
“ My first time here. Came for oil change. Friendly employees, reasonable prices, very clean, boring waiting area. Not one truck on showroom floor. ”
“ Darwin at Ackerman Toyota truly saved a sale for Toyota. This was my first Toyota purchase, and while the process had some frustrations, Darwin truly made the difference and ensured I drove away happy. I served 10 years, reenlisted after 9/11, and was disappointed to learn I didn’t qualify for Toyota’s $500 military discount. It’s not about the money — anyone who signs up for the military gives the government a blank check, including up to their life — but placing restrictions on who counts can feel like a lack of appreciation. Despite this, Darwin stayed patient, worked through the paperwork and financing, and made sure I left with a fair deal. Overall ratings: Darwin 5/5, Ackerman Toyota 4.5/5, Toyota corporate policy 1/5. I’ll be returning for service, and I hope Toyota continues to consider how they support those who have served. ”
“ I cannot say enough good things about this dealership! I originally was working with Newbold Toyota where I felt pressured into a deal I really didn't feel comfortable making and that kept asking for more and more money for a down payment that I just didn't have. I came across Ackerman just to see if I could transfer the approval from Newbold to them for a better deal and they did so much more for me than I could have ever expected! I worked with Ryan O'Leary for everything up until signing which his associate Megan handled who was also lovely due to conflicting schedules (no fault of his own, we all have lives to live and I hope his tournament went great!). He was truly the best salesman I have ever dealt with. He explained every feature perfectly, answered every question I had without making me feel dumb for asking, and never did I feel pressured to do anything I did not want to do. Genuinely felt as though I was talking to an old friend and we are even from the same hometown and he had some good stories to share about a mutual friend of ours! I love the service he provided and he even got me into the trim I wanted that the last dealership told me I couldn't get and got me into it WITHOUT a cosigner! His team fought hard for me to finance and even gave me more for my trade than initially planned so I could get into the vehicle I truly wanted and kept my payments in the budget I wanted. I can't thank everyone at Ackerman enough for giving me a chance to enjoy the beauty of a new car and the reliability of a Toyota! Here's to forever with my new go to dealership! :) ”
I bought a Toyota RAV4.
“ I bought a Toyota RAV4. Best vehicle I have ever owned. I talked to a Tyler Baker. Very nice guy. He was not pushy and found me just what I asked for. Best dealership around. Thank you very much Tyler. ”
“ Helpful friendly service by my salesperson Darwin Bridges. ”
“ Ryan O’Leary at Ackerman Toyota is the BEST! We were on a waitlist with another dealership for 7 months for our hybrid Highlander. He got us a brand new one in 7 weeks!! I have no idea what magic he worked, but it felt like a miracle. He reached out as soon as it was being manufactured, and we got to add our own upgrades. I drove 4 hours to pick it up, and Ryan immediately met me at the door as if he knew me. We’d never met! The process was incredibly quick, and we got a great deal on our trade-in, too. I hate buying cars, but when we’re ready again, we’ll be calling Ryan. It was worth the drive. Thanks again for going the extra mile! ”
“ We had a great experience at Ackerman Car Dealership. Randall Yu was organized, polite, and made the entire process smooth and stress-free. There was no pressure at any point, and everything was handled with professionalism. We’re very happy with our new vehicle, and Ackerman will definitely be the first place I look when purchasing in the future. ”
“ Ryan O’Leary was so lovely to work with and with us every step of the way when custom ordering our new Toyota 4-Runner RTD Pro. We’re in love with our new “Roxy” , yes I named her, and she turns heads every where we drive. ”
“ Excellent dealership! The people are experts at what they do, they are incredibly professional. If I ever have a problem with my car again I will come here as opposed to another shop. ”
“ Bought 2 cars ”
“ I can't say enough good things about my experience at Ackerman Toyota — and especially about working with Brad G. From start to finish, Brad made the entire car-buying process incredibly easy and stress-free. I was able to trade in my vehicle seamlessly (seriously, it felt effortless), and Brad walked me through every step of getting into my new car without any pressure or hassle. What really stood out was how much he genuinely cared about making sure everything was perfect — not just the sale itself, but all the details that came after. Brad went the extra mile to help me take care of a few cosmetic things — including scratches and a chip in the windshield — after the purchase. That kind of follow-through and attention to detail is rare, and it made me feel like more than just another customer. If you're considering buying a car and want someone who is honest, helpful, and committed to making the process smooth, ask for Brad G. at Ackerman Toyota. I left with a car I love and the peace of mind that I was taken care of every step of the way. Highly recommend! ”
I can't say enough good things about my experience at
“ I can't say enough good things about my experience at Ackerman Toyota — and especially about working with Brad G. From start to finish, Brad made the entire car-buying process incredibly easy and stress-free. I was able to trade in my vehicle seamlessly (seriously, it felt effortless), and Brad walked me through every step of getting into my new car without any pressure or hassle. What really stood out was how much he genuinely cared about making sure everything was perfect — not just the sale itself, but all the details that came after. Brad went the extra mile to help me take care of a few cosmetic things — including scratches and a chip in the windshield — after the purchase. That kind of follow-through and attention to detail is rare, and it made me feel like more than just another customer. If you're considering buying a car and want someone who is honest, helpful, and committed to making the process smooth, ask for Brad G. at Ackerman Toyota. I left with a car I love and the peace of mind that I was taken care of every step of the way. Highly recommend! ”
“ I'm grateful they were able to fix my car but I'm upset I had to pay $150+ diagnostic fee, for a $2.00+ fuse. I understand why things are done they way that they are. I also don't expect my review to change how they do things. ”
“ It’s rare to find a salesperson who genuinely looks out for the customer, but Ryan O. was one of the best salespeople I’ve ever worked with in any industry. I came in knowing exactly which used SUV I wanted and expecting a quick, straightforward sale. Instead of rushing me through paperwork, Ryan took the time to make sure I truly understood the car. He walked me through safety features, encouraged a test drive, and pointed out features I didn’t even realize the vehicle had. It was clear from the start that he was focused on what was best for me, not just making the sale. He went above and beyond explaining the dashboard and tech features, discussing what he learned about me and talking about what I’d actually use the car. I left the lot feeling confident and knowledgeable, like I already knew my vehicle inside and out. Ryan was never pushy at all. I never felt rushed or pressured, and he was happy to answer questions that weren’t even directly tied to my purchase, from broader Toyota features to what’s new across the lineup. His communication was excellent throughout the process. He confirmed my arrival time, had the car ready to go, and even shared his personal number so I could reach him easily. What really stood out was his attention to detail. He noticed small scratches and a minor dent that I hadn’t even seen and made sure they were taken care of with fresh touch-ups—no charge. A normal salesperson would have hoped I DIDN'T see these tiny details (that wouldn't have affected my interest in the car); HE pointed them out and made sure I knew that he was going to personally see to it that it was fixed. In a used car that is truly going above and beyond. If you’re looking for a salesperson who is knowledgeable, honest, patient, and truly customer-focused, Ryan O. is exceptional. I couldn’t recommend him more highly! ”