Reading Dipstick
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 511
Likes: 5
From: Germantown Md
Reading Dipstick
I know this issue has been raised numerous times, but after checking my oil today came to the conclusion that the GM dipstick markings have to be some of the worst I have seen in my nearly 50 years of owning cars. With all the technology out there, you would think someone could come up with a way to electronicly monitor the oil level. (Don't consider the oil life span to be same as the level.) I seem to remember when I was a LOT younger that once we determined where the full level was we put a white paint mark on the dipstick. Hmmmm
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
What works for me is to pull the stick immediately after shutdown, wait about 5 minutes while I pump gas or whatever, then check the oil level. That allows oil to drain down out of the dipstick tube.
The car also is supposed to give you a DIC warning if the oil gets more than about 1 qt low, but mine burns virtually no oil and so that hasn't been a factor for me.
The car also is supposed to give you a DIC warning if the oil gets more than about 1 qt low, but mine burns virtually no oil and so that hasn't been a factor for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,019
Likes: 2,712
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 531
Likes: 10
From: Northford CT
I read a while back (on the forum) that if you rub some sandpaper to rough up the bottom of the dipstick, the oil will stick to it better. I never tried that, but I have found that I get a better reading when cold, and I remove the dipstick and rub it hard with my cloth, then check the oil level. But any way you do it, it is never a clean read. My Toyotas work the way they should, maybe it is the synthetic oil.
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