Trouble getting accurate dip stick reading anyone?

[B/Stock]

I've recently had the oil consumption issue that started at about 1800 miles. Strange thing is, I never had a problem getting a accurate reading when the oil level was at the top. Now, I'm having a hard time getting a accurate reading now that its below the full mark. Its impossible to pull the stick out straight due to the strut tower brace so the stick rubs against the side. I've tried checking oil after 15 min., after sitting for the night, after a couple days. kinda feel like a dumb-ass asking this question, but wondering if anyone else has a problem.

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[DocWalt]

I have to check when it's hot (wait the 15 minutes, pop the hood to let it cool off more quickly) and it is definitely a really odd location to put the dip stick. You have to be really careful to not brush it up against anything. My reading has been really consistent, but when the oil is fresh and clean it's really hard to see it on the stick.

 

[AutoX R]

It's slightly awkward removing the dipstick, but I haven't had a problem. Then again mines always at the top. I usually check it two or three times in a row to make sure it's consistent.

 

[Kurac]

OP, I feel your pain. I find it most visible when checking cold and the first pull is always most visible. Multiple tries after only dilutes the clarity, for me at least.

 

[nastang87xx]

Take out the stick and wipe it down as normal. Now put the stick back in (that's what she said) and then angle the stick so the broad side is parallel to the length of the car and pull the stick out dragging it on the "top" side of the dip stick case hole. That will keep one side of the stick surefire accurate. You'll see once you pull the stick out you'll have a nice oil line.

 

[Houston Kid]

I check mine often. I pull it, wipe it, then put it back in then pull it to read it. I have a hard time seeing it on the hash mark side of the dipstick. If I flip it over I can see it more clearly on the back side, opposite side of the hash marks. Not sure why, but that is the case. Once I see it on the back side, I can flip it back over and kind of see it on the hash mark side using the back side as a reference.

 

[B/Stock]

Take out the stick and wipe it down as normal. Now put the stick back in (that's what she said) and then angle the stick so the broad side is parallel to the length of the car and pull the stick out dragging it on the "top" side of the dip stick case hole. That will keep one side of the stick surefire accurate. You'll see once you pull the stick out you'll have a nice oil line.

Thanks...I'll try that technique, and maybe on the car too.

 

[GTP]

Take out the stick and wipe it down as normal. Now put the stick back in (that's what she said) and then angle the stick so the broad side is parallel to the length of the car and pull the stick out dragging it on the "top" side of the dip stick case hole. That will keep one side of the stick surefire accurate. You'll see once you pull the stick out you'll have a nice oil line.

Huh. Not a day goes by that I don't learn something from this forum. May have to try this tip.

As long as the line falls between the two holes then I am satisfied.

 

[Demonic]

It's definitely one of the harder dipsticks to read. I have to check mine cold, otherwise it simply looks like there's oil all over the stick.

 

[johnny1]

Also some have flipped the dipstick over so hash markings are down and checked it. But then after you pull it out and turn it over to read it for some reason it will show a higher reading then if checked with the hash marks up. Its really a pain, bad enough that some of us use a lot of oil (normal, Ford says to check every gas fill up). But its hard to get an accurate reading on it.

 

[GT_Dave]

I go for 3 readings on the dipstick or until I get 2 that come out the same, not a big deal. But this is the only car I have seen that doesn't give a clean reading after sitting for hours. Must be the configuration of this fancy new oil pan design with the built in windage tray.

 

[Hack]

I don't want to be a jerk about this, but why do you think you need an "accurate" reading?

It's a dipstick. It's not a micrometer. And the engine doesn't need a precisely measured to the drop volume of oil in order to function properly.

All you need to know is whether it's between the top and bottom marks on the dipstick. If it's below the bottom you want to add oil. You should make sure it's never over-filled to the point that the oil is above the top mark on the dipstick. As long as the oil level is between the two marks you shouldn't add any oil.

 

[oldmachguy]

I don't want to be a jerk about this, but why do you think you need an "accurate" reading?

It's a dipstick. It's not a micrometer. And the engine doesn't need a precisely measured to the drop volume of oil in order to function properly.

All you need to know is whether it's between the top and bottom marks on the dipstick. If it's below the bottom you want to add oil. You should make sure it's never over-filled to the point that the oil is above the top mark on the dipstick. As long as the oil level is between the two marks you shouldn't add any oil.

Because what matters is change in consumption over time, and rate of change in consumption over time.

Given the shape of the pan at different fill levels, even in that "1 qt" window represented on the stick, those rates may be different as the oil level drops - and, at any rate, I wouldn't assume they're not.

It's like any other machine that you are charged with being familiar with (a lathe, CNC mill, a fighter jet) - the more familiar you are with how it behaves, the better you can detect a problem.

Remember Sebastien Buemi at LeMans this year, telling his crew something was wrong with the car? They kept telling him they weren't seeing anything on their data. He kept telling them, "guys, something's wrong," so they brought him in. Turned out he was right, which saved Toyota from being shut out.

Little things, like oil consumption, can have rapid, dramatic consequences. Paying attention to details, and investing a little time and elbow grease can pay off "bigly."

 

[jamesb1986]

It's definitely one of the harder dipsticks to read. I have to check mine cold, otherwise it simply looks like there's oil all over the stick.

I have the same issue so I always do it cold or minimum of an hour after the car has been driven at temperature. Multiple readings using the same method as noted in an earlier post above will also give you the most accuracy.

 

[Hack]

Because what matters is change in consumption over time, and rate of change in consumption over time.

Given the shape of the pan at different fill levels, even in that "1 qt" window represented on the stick, those rates may be different as the oil level drops - and, at any rate, I wouldn't assume they're not.

It's like any other machine that you are charged with being familiar with (a lathe, CNC mill, a fighter jet) - the more familiar you are with how it behaves, the better you can detect a problem.

Remember Sebastien Buemi at LeMans this year, telling his crew something was wrong with the car? They kept telling him they weren't seeing anything on their data. He kept telling them, "guys, something's wrong," so they brought him in. Turned out he was right, which saved Toyota from being shut out.

Little things, like oil consumption, can have rapid, dramatic consequences. Paying attention to details, and investing a little time and elbow grease can pay off "bigly."

Agree to disagree that checking the oil to within a "smidge" on a production car that's under factory warranty is comparable to analyzing data on a LeMans race car. :cheers:

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