Oil level observation

[deepimpact]

I just tracked my oil level for about a month, and what I can say is, that the difference between warm and cold measurement is huge. When it is cold (0° Celsius standing over night) the oil is very thick, dark, and at minimum. When I drive the car for about an 30 minutes / 10km, stop it, let it stay for an hour, then the oil is much clearer, much thinner, like a thin film, and around 55% position between the holes. So I have a different of about 400ml on the dipstick. But I must confess the measurement between hot and cold was not at the exact same location spot, even it was no hill or something like that.

I hate the dipstick reading. And I could swear any little angle concerning the car is staying has big impact on the result of the dipstick reading.
When it's warm I feel like: oh OK 50%, somewhere in the middle. But when it's cold reading: touching the minimum. Giving me always a little bit bad feeling.

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[Skye]

In the Mach 1, mine varies a little. Cold, 50F/10C, one "X" on the dipstick is exposed. The level is lower. At that ambient temp, when the engine is hot, the oil level is right at the fill mark. This, at 1000mi, 1600km.

My Tacoma on the other hand: it's like you describe above; it varies widely. Like, "WTF?", difference between hot and cold.

IMO, what's most important is consistency. Checking the oil in the same manner (same temperature), seeing the same result.

I agree. The dipstick can be difficult to remove ( I have the strut brace over top, maybe you do to) and interpret.