Trouble getting accurate dip stick reading anyone?

[oldmachguy]

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:

I'm not advocating parsing a "smidge." What everyone should do, IMO, is to pick, and stick with, a method of measuring their oil level, then watching it at sufficiently frequent, and consistent, intervals to allow them to perceive any significant change in how fast their motor is consuming oil. You can get get that with the approach you suggested - as long as you do it at regular and sufficiently frequent intervals; and, as demonstrated by the descriptions in this thread, you use a consistent technique in how you measure it.

As for the comparison to "analyzing data on a LeMans race car," that wasn't the point. Being familiar enough with your (very expensive and/or beloved) machine to perceive meaningful change was.

And :cheers: back at you.

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[Hack]

I'm not advocating parsing a "smidge." What everyone should do, IMO, is to pick, and stick with, a method of measuring their oil level, then watching it at sufficiently frequent, and consistent, intervals to allow them to perceive any significant change in how fast their motor is consuming oil. You can get get that with the approach you suggested - as long as you do it at regular and sufficiently frequent intervals; and, as demonstrated by the descriptions in this thread, you use a consistent technique in how you measure it.

Entirely reasonable.

 

[RNDT38]

Oil Level Check--

Old Man and an Oil Level Check--
I'm the old guy.
My method--
1. Let the car sit overnight.
2. Get a clean paper towel.
3. Pull the stick.
4. Lay it flat on the clean paper towel for a second or so.
5. Move the stick above or below the oil "mark" on the paper towel.
6. Compare the oil "mark" on the paper towel with the full and add holes on the stick.
7. Done with the check.
8. Take the appropriate action as determined by the oil "mark" and the holes on the stick.

Be safe.
Bob

 

[machsmith]

always keep the writing side down when inserting the dipstick and your readings will be accurate. Flip it and the writing is up and it will be 3/8 quart lower.

 

[Trackaholic]

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.

It's not about getting an extremely precise measurement, it's about getting a "clean" measurement, so you can determine where the oil actually is.

Because you can't pull the dipstick straight out due to the strut brace, it will rub along the tube on the way out, dragging oil along as it goes. Often, it is very difficult to get a reading at all, since the oil has smeared all over the place.

What I've found to work well, is to pull out the stick and clean it extremely well, so that it is very dry. This reduces the amount of oil dragged through the tube, and also makes it easier to see the oil and get an idea where the level is even if it has smeared a little.

I also find that subsequent attempts tend to get worse and worse due to the "smearing" effect.

-T

 

[Trackaholic]

Old Man and an Oil Level Check--
I'm the old guy.
My method--
1. Let the car sit overnight.
2. Get a clean paper towel.
3. Pull the stick.
4. Lay it flat on the clean paper towel for a second or so.
5. Move the stick above or below the oil "mark" on the paper towel.
6. Compare the oil "mark" on the paper towel with the full and add holes on the stick.
7. Done with the check.
8. Take the appropriate action as determined by the oil "mark" and the holes on the stick.

Be safe.
Bob

Interesting method, may have to try that out.

-T

 

[tom185]

I agree with that. Changed my oil last Saturday. I just pulled in from work and let her cool about 20 mins and with the hash mark/writing side down I was just a hair below the top hole on the stick. I flipped it around with the writing side up and the oil was just about to the the top of the hash - so it does visibly come down a bit depending how you orient the stick. Either way, it's between the holes and that's what I first look for.

 

[B/Stock]

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.

True, but it would be nice to know if my level is at the true bottom hole or somewhere between them.

 

[Hack]

It's not about getting an extremely precise measurement, it's about getting a "clean" measurement, so you can determine where the oil actually is.

Because you can't pull the dipstick straight out due to the strut brace, it will rub along the tube on the way out, dragging oil along as it goes. Often, it is very difficult to get a reading at all, since the oil has smeared all over the place.

What I've found to work well, is to pull out the stick and clean it extremely well, so that it is very dry. This reduces the amount of oil dragged through the tube, and also makes it easier to see the oil and get an idea where the level is even if it has smeared a little.

I also find that subsequent attempts tend to get worse and worse due to the "smearing" effect.

-T

Huh. I haven't had that problem. I have had some smearing, but for me it's always obvious what is smearing and what is the oil level.

True, but it would be nice to know if my level is at the true bottom hole or somewhere between them.

Definitely you need to know that.

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