Weird oil reading.

4435 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by robj80, Apr 14, 2011

beemer.aric

Discussion Starter · Apr 8, 2011

It's about 50 degrees out so I went outside to check the air filter and then I got to checking the oil. The oil covered the low oil bubble but after checking the back of the dipstick it easily had some oil on the high side after the bubble. I then started the engine for a few seconds to run the oil around and when I checked it again it had some oil not on the high mark but after it. I don't know accurately how much oil I have now.

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

robj80

· #2 · Apr 8, 2011

I do believe the car should be run at operating temperature. Then shut off and wait 10 minutes. Then check the oil with the vehicle on a flat surface. I find if my oil is very new it's hard to see exactly where it is.

Save

adaptandovercome

· #3 · Apr 8, 2011

Yes new oil is hard to see. Just make sure you let it set a little while then check it on a level surface.

Save

beemer.aric

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 8, 2011

Yeah thanks I found out driving around town and then checking it later on got a better reading.

Save

BluV3R18

· #5 · Apr 9, 2011

beemer.aric said:
Yeah thanks I found out driving around town and then checking it later on got a better reading.

this is my Oil when it was 3,000 Miles Old

This is my Oil when it was 1 mile old

it is hard to see but the last top hole was covered with oil :thumb2:

See less See more

Save

beemer.aric

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 10, 2011

BluV3R18 said:
this is my Oil when it was 3,000 Miles Old

This is my Oil when it was 1 mile old

it is hard to see but the last top hole was covered with oil :thumb2:

Yeah it's hard to tell sometimes!

Save

Von Meow

· #7 · Apr 14, 2011

myself I always check the engine oil when oil is cold. meaning car has not been run for a couple of hours. so all oil can drain into pan, gives a accurate reading.

Save

silver

· #8 · Apr 14, 2011

Von Meow said:
myself I always check the engine oil when oil is cold. meaning car has not been run for a couple of hours. so all oil can drain into pan, gives a accurate reading.

This^^! This is how I check oil.

Save

Gorp

· #9 · Apr 14, 2011

Yeah, I like the idea, but a couple of hours is overkill. 20 minutes or so should do it.

Save

robj80

· #10 · Apr 14, 2011

what I wrote earlier was from the manual.

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches
operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert
it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be between the H (High) and
L (Low) marks 1 . This is the normal operating
oil level range. If the oil level is below
the L (Low) mark2 , remove the oil filler cap
and pour recommended oil through the
opening. Do not overfill3 .
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.

I too check in the morning before leaving for work though

. Only time I use the manual procedure is right after an oil change.

Save

1 - 10 of 10 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month