Dipstick Troubles.

[Justintyme]

Neither have I, what I'm trying to explain (badly) is that the markings on the dipstick will be placed at the position to correctly identify the oil level at the temperature the engineers have stated it should be measured at?

If that is what the manufacturer says, then that's the way to go, and the dipstick will reflect that. I used to run a fleet of vehicles, and the SOP was, 1st thing every day before starting the vehicle was to check ALL the levels. Topping up as needed before departure. At oil change times, the correct amount of oil would be put in the engine, and thereafter the daily check. There are a lot of advantages to this, everything is cold under the bonnet, no risk of coming in contact with hot metal. This check would include checking on the ground for any leaks etc. and anything else which might be apparent. But if the owners manual for your vehicle says to check at xxx Temp, obviously this is how you should do it. I find it a bit strange though...because there is usually warnings NOT to touch anything on a hot engine. ( Especially radiator expansion tanks)

 

[Crustyclam]

Ok i know I said I wouldn't reply (but I couldn't help it). I have done multiple checks since because I keep doubting myself. Definitely higher on dipstick when warm and left to settle for at least 5 mins than a cold reading.

Still maintain though my handbook nowhere specifies it "must" be from warm.

Happy though that I know middlish of dipstick is on cold and max when warm.

Personally I prefer a cold check, it's something I have always done on the morning before setting off on a long motorway journey.

 

[190]

Still maintain though my handbook nowhere specifies it "must" be from warm.

I agree, my manual doesn't say you must check warm or cold only how to do it. There is no acknowledgement at all that the level changes when warm. That's probably because the level doesn't change much. As you say it must expand but the level will not change anything like as much as on an auto transmission. I suspect the reason for that is an engine sump is just that; a container full of oil, whereas an auto transmission sump is a container full of oil with the transmission gubbins submerged in it, such that any expansion will increase the level to a greater degree.

 

[Justintyme]

Its very simple really, if after an oil change, the correct amount of new oil is put back in the engine, that's what will remain in the engine ( unless of course there is a leak, and barring normal oil consumption which can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and is a separate issue) If you check it regularly when cold, the level on the dipstick will remain constant. One of positive results of regularly checking the oil level is that any changes will be noticed and action taken before damage is done. Personally, I check all the levels under the bonnet once a week, minimum. Some engines may require a top-up between changes, and this can happen in not only old and worn engines, but in fairly new ones as well. In 2012, Skoda introduced the 30'000 Klm oil change interval...( this made it very attractive to many buyers, especially fleet owners )..but very quickly changed it back to 15'000 Klms. Some manufacturers will not accept that an engine has an oil burning problem, unless it's using more that 1 ltr per 1'000 miles. There is lots of info on this on GOOGLE.

 

[David404]

I keep an eye on mine, mostly when cold after standing overnight (the drive is completely flat) but I'm just looking for level above min and monitoring for sudden loss.

Less regularly I do it by the book:

• Park on the drive after a reasonable run with hot engine
• Pull bonnet and pull dipstick half way out
• Wait 5 minutes
• pull dipstick and wipe off without checking level
• Check oil level 3x times - looking for oil between 1/2 and 3/4 way between min and max.

BUT check what your manual says.

FWIW mine will always read higher on the stick when hot but my manual says check when hot 5 mins after stopping engine.

 

[Justintyme]

I keep an eye on mine, mostly when cold after standing overnight (the drive is completely flat) but I'm just looking for level above min and monitoring for sudden loss.

Less regularly I do it by the book:

• Park on the drive after a reasonable run with hot engine
• Pull bonnet and pull dipstick half way out
• Wait 5 minutes
• pull dipstick and wipe off without checking level
• Check oil level 3x times - looking for oil between 1/2 and 3/4 way between min and max.

BUT check what your manual says.FWIW mine will always read higher on the stick when hot but my manual says check when hot 5 mins after stopping engine.

That's the way to go David.....once the correct qty of oil has been put back in the engine after the oil change, that's it. My preference is first thing in the morning, before starting and when the engine is still cold. Once you check it under the same conditions each time, you will get accurate readings of the qty of engine oil that's in the sump, which is what you want. And of course any leaking will quickly become apparent.