Howcome i get such random readings from oil checks?

I get gas for 5 minutes, then pop the hood figuring all the oil is settled. Sometimes its at the high level, and sometimes it doesnt show up at all.

at a level gas station with a wiped dipstick

thx

 

There shouldn't be any reason!

Are you sure the variables are the same everytime? Wierd. Remember full when warm is the notch not the F.

Tomorrow's saturday so how about you warm up your car, take measurement after 1 minute. Then an hour later repeat, and do it a few times throughout the day. I am almost positive you will get the same readings.

 

well i changed my oil a couple weeks ago, so ive only checked it about 5 times.

Im just glad i know that i put in 4 quarts. and it said full the other day.

 

Ah i suspected a recent oil change. I have strangely noticed that too actually that if I drain the whole oil and only put in 4 quarts, I'll sometimes read full. I dunno why. You actually need to put in a bit more - pretty much all the oil will drain after like half an hour if you drain the filter too, and you end up putting in like, 4.8 quarts (out of 5)

So I do think you are maybe half a quart short, but that doesn't matter. But remember our cars tend to burn a quart of oil every few thousand miles or so.

 

Guys, to check your oil, you have to make sure it's COLD, in the morning before you start you car. The oil has to settle over night all down to your oil pan. Once you start runnign your car, oil is everywhere. Also, when you read your dipstick, take it out, and leave it out for a minute or two when the oil gets off the side of the tube and all drain back then, then insert. I remember searching endlessly about the debate and it seems that checking it in the morning when it's cold is the optimal time when all the oil is in the oil pan. Just like checking tire pressure, in the morning when it's cold.

 

Yes, to echo Skyline above, check it cold on a flat, level surface (in the morning after it sat overnight). Then check it a couple times to get a consistant reading.

 

dipsticks are so last year

 

the thing is when i dip it in, it shows up on the edges all the way to the "full" dot but not full coverage, just like splats on the side (i guess its the hot oil still drooping down.)

yeah i'll check it in the cold, but theres no free blue towels beside me...

but your 335 e-dipstick can get b0rked or even hax o red!

 

true but I can watch my oil level while driving

 

well i have a trained monkey to crawl into my engine compartment with a nomex suit to check my oil, but no faster than 65, anything more is against his contract.

I guess you have me at anything more than 65

 

You got gypt....