Checking my Oil
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Bay Shore New York
Checking my Oil
I tried checkign my oil yesterday and it is very hard to tell if I need to add a quart of not. Is there a trick to get an accurate oil level using the dipstick?
P.S. It is on a level surface in my garage.
P.S. It is on a level surface in my garage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
Are you having trouble pulling out the stick from the engine or are you having trouble seeing the oil on the dipstick?
Fresh Mobil-1 is very difficult to see, as it is very transparent when new.
After an oil change where I am positive I’ve put in 6.5 quarts, I simply check for leaks upon startup, I then wait for several miles to check the dipstick. (When the oil starts to darken it is easy to read on the dipstick.
Car should be on a level surface and the engine should be stopped at the very least 3-minutes. Best time to check the engine oil is before startup in the morning.
Stick should pull out easily.
-
Fresh Mobil-1 is very difficult to see, as it is very transparent when new.
After an oil change where I am positive I’ve put in 6.5 quarts, I simply check for leaks upon startup, I then wait for several miles to check the dipstick. (When the oil starts to darken it is easy to read on the dipstick.
Car should be on a level surface and the engine should be stopped at the very least 3-minutes. Best time to check the engine oil is before startup in the morning.
Stick should pull out easily.
-
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,387
Likes: 691
From: Boise ID
Sometimes I pull the stick out (I love saying that) of the tube, clean it off and leave it out a few minutes so the oil in the upper part of the tube can drain out. Then I stick the stick back in and check the level.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Ok
I try to read mine after sitting all night, or sitting for a while. All the oil drains out of the dip stick tube, it is a bit thicker and sticks better to the dip stick. The sandpaper idea sounds good too.
good luck
good luck
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I check mine cold before I start it. If you check after running the motor I have found the readings are inconsistent and when I first got the car I added oil that wasn't needed. Now I just check it cold before starting. This is the best method I have found.
