***, Ok...it appears many folks are checking their oil when the engine is hot...and according to most, at about 10 minutes after the engine has been shut down. Please indulge me for sharing the following...

After a lengthy drive, I parked the Vette and immediately checked both oil and coolant temps and noted what the dipstick showed then and in measured time afterward as well:

Oil Temp. Coolant Temp. When checked Dipstick reading

217 205 At shutdown (5:40pm) Above Max.

217 207 10 min. later (5:50pm) Above Max.

201 212 5:55 pm Above Max.

196 207 6:00 pm Between add & full

194 203 6:05 pm Same as above

189 199 6:10 pm Same

176 181 6:30 pm Same

171 178 6:40 pm Same

The dipstick read the same at 15 minutes as it did at engine shutdown, which to me means that reading the stick between shutdown and 15 minutes later would not be accurate; however, at 20 minutes after engine shutdown and up to at least one hr. after shutdown, the oil level read the same...in this case midway between the ADD and FULL on the hashmark area. When I took a cold oil reading this a.m. it indicated Full. So maybe I could add oil when cold a little beyond Full and see how that translates to, say, a 30 minute or so reading after shutting down a hot engine? One caveat: The Vette was in a small garage which probably did not allow cooling as quickly as at a gas station.

 

Check oil in am after sitting overnight--that is the true reading of how much oil is in the pan--your full and good to go

 

all my life !!!!!

 

Tip for checking oil level--after car has sat and cool--take dipstick out--clean with carb cleaner ect. take a piece of electrical black tape-cut to the width of the stick--put on the stick--go measure oil--shows exact level of oil--

 

I would be a little hesitant to put tape on the stick as it is subjected to a lot of heat. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Thats a good reason to check oil when your suppose to--COLD

 

Granted, I am not mechanically-inclined...but have never had problems reading dipsticks...and reading cold is not a problem...but when I have checked some 10 minutes or so after shutting down the engine, the level really appears to be higher.....dunno. I am thinking of adding maybe 12 oz. to the cold engine ....then see how that translates after maybe 20 minutes of running. Sorry for making such as issue out of such a basic procedure.

 

Well, I have always been a cold-checker, but the fact that the owner's manual states that checking the oil cold can be misleading as the oil level may be lower than shown....I'm just perplexed about this whole thing....

 

What dont you understand--put the tape on stick when motor is cold--read the stick--that is where your oil is--your not reading the oil right--c5 is hard to read--just wait--let us know

 

I have checked my oil with this method for 5 years--Never a problem--you clean the dipstick well the tape sticks--in fact every time after checking oil-i have to scrape tape off--it sticks--try black paint im sure that works also--its really hard to see where the level is especially with new oil--need some color on the stick-to-show level-

 

6-7-8-9-10-on and on--a piece of plastic tape the width of the dipstick and 1/2 inch long--will do what to the motor? Really

 

You mean if it gets sucked up against the screen of the oil pickup, and restricts the flow of oil? Or worse, manages to get past the screen, and gets into the oil pump?

 

Not risking loose tape restricting blood flow to major organs.

 

And don't want any electrical tape in the engine.
Terrible way to check your oil level.

 

Have any other C5 owners had trouble reading the dipstick when the engine is hot?

 

I thought the same thing when i read his comment....

 

All c5 sticks hard to read--if not the tape method--take flat black spray paint--from the add hole to the full hole--let dry--give you right on reading--take paint remover--good to go--either method gives you a clear reading-

 

I have an aftermarket dip stick and what I did was to score/scratch the dipstick with three lines: too low....too high and a middle line. Scored the dipstick with a file. Works for me.

 

I just read it...

 

Haha, me too. I keep it in the upper area, no need for anything special (and I would not put anything on the stick for fear of it coming off inside).