Dipstick
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 11,825
Likes: 2,479
From: Ft Lauderdale
Tech Contributor
the wet sump stick will sometimes read less on one side than the other due to the angle at which the stick hits the oil. Take the high side reading, or turn it 360 in the tube before you read.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,941
Likes: 499
From: Northern Virginia
I've just averaged the two sides. As long as neither side is above or below the cross-hatched section, I think you're fine.
But if that's not what you mean, having a bright light helps a lot.
But if that's not what you mean, having a bright light helps a lot.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 8,243
Likes: 4,618
From: Southwest Florida
Getting an accurate oil reading is the only thing I truly dislike about this car.
I follow the instructions as called out in the manual but I get so many different readings it's frustrating. After the car temp has warmed I wait 5 -10 minutes and sometimes it has ZERO oil on the dipstick. I then drive it let the car seat again for 5 - 10 minutes and the oil reads between the first harsh marks. I then drive it 50 miles and check the oil...sometimes there is no oil on the dipstick other times it shows oil between the first harsh marks.
I NEVER had so much trouble getting consistent oil readings...Very frustrating
BTW, mine is not a Z-51.
I follow the instructions as called out in the manual but I get so many different readings it's frustrating. After the car temp has warmed I wait 5 -10 minutes and sometimes it has ZERO oil on the dipstick. I then drive it let the car seat again for 5 - 10 minutes and the oil reads between the first harsh marks. I then drive it 50 miles and check the oil...sometimes there is no oil on the dipstick other times it shows oil between the first harsh marks.
I NEVER had so much trouble getting consistent oil readings...Very frustrating
BTW, mine is not a Z-51.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 183
From: Maple Ontario
I haven't checked all the C7 DIC Messages, but my old Impala SS had a message that came up, "oil level low... add oil..." Of course those 5.3L motors were oil burners but it would be nice if the car just told you when to add 1 Litre/quart, and you would know that's exactly how much you had to add.
Before i go home an crack open the manual, someone can confirm this...
Before i go home an crack open the manual, someone can confirm this...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
I took Glen e's advice and gave it the 360 turn. But when cold. I get those different readings when it is hot. I would like to see inside the motor to see where the end of that stick settles in at.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 920
Likes: 87
a guessing game to check oil ....
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