Tips for checking oil
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 44
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From: ND
Tips for checking oil
Maybe it's just me but I can't see the oil line on the dipstick after I put fresh oil in the engine (the oil is too transparent on the metal dipstick). Does anyone have tips or tricks for this?
Thanks
Thanks
Safety Car
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From: Fishing Somewhere Cold
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15
I think that any oil has enough color to see it on the stick. Could it be that you have more to add??? I use 7qts and I'm happy where it falls on the dip stick.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,737
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From: Austin, Texas
I checked mine just this morning since it was changed yesterday at the stealership while the car was in for some warranty work. Just verifying that they actully changed it 
All I can say is that I had to look very very closely to see the actual level on the dip stick. I try to pull the dip stick out as quickly as I possibly can without throwing the oil off when it exits the tube (maybe you can call that a trick
), or the oil runs off of the stick while you are pulling it out. It is certainly not easy to check with synthetic oil.
Sorry, but that's the best I can do.
All I can say is that I had to look very very closely to see the actual level on the dip stick. I try to pull the dip stick out as quickly as I possibly can without throwing the oil off when it exits the tube (maybe you can call that a trick
), or the oil runs off of the stick while you are pulling it out. It is certainly not easy to check with synthetic oil.Sorry, but that's the best I can do.
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Pull out the dipstick, wipe it off and reinsert it into the tube. When you pull it out again do it slowly and then use your finger to run across the dipstick where the oil should be. If it is there, it should leave a line where your finger wiped. I agree that it is sometimes hard to see where the oil level is when you have new oil in the car.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Miami Lakes FL
I usually rotate the stick slightly so that I can see ambient light reflecting off the stick/oil. The light reflects differently off each surface and makes it a little easier to see. Also, sometimes I rotate the stick back and forth so I can alternate between backside and hatched-side. Sometimes that helps, too.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: ND
Thanks for the ideas. I was hoping there was an aftermarket dipstick for the C5 but I'm not finding any. My STS has a brown plastic end on the dipstick so the oil is quite visible against the plastic.
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Race Director
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From: Guelph, Ontario
Check the oil when it's cold overnight, it is darker in color when it's cold.
You shouldn't need to check it after an oil change once you know your exact capacity though. Once I've done a few oil changes on a car and know it's exact capacity (I like to slightly overfill wherever possible too), then there is no need to check it right away anyhow. Just be sure to put in the exact correct amount and don't forget to add one of the quarts for instance.
You shouldn't need to check it after an oil change once you know your exact capacity though. Once I've done a few oil changes on a car and know it's exact capacity (I like to slightly overfill wherever possible too), then there is no need to check it right away anyhow. Just be sure to put in the exact correct amount and don't forget to add one of the quarts for instance.
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From: Houston,Texas USA
Originally Posted by miamivette02
I usually rotate the stick slightly so that I can see ambient light reflecting off the stick/oil. The light reflects differently off each surface and makes it a little easier to see. Also, sometimes I rotate the stick back and forth so I can alternate between backside and hatched-side. Sometimes that helps, too.
