When should you check your engine oil level?

Question

For reference this is a 99 chevrolet tracker 1.5l four cyl.

I know some dipsticks have a hot and cold or even a range the oil should be within. I haven't checked my oil in a while (I know shame on me...) and I recently checked it (after it sat overnight)and if i wiped the dipstick off real good NO OIL was on the dipstick. I thought the best time to check oil level was after the engine had sat for a while because all the oil runs back down, giving a better reading...?? I don't believe the engine starved for oil as it didn't seize and i didn't hear any rattling or other scary sounds. Do I have an oil leak and and almost run the engine dry, OR did i check it incorrectly? thanks!

Answer 1

Checking your engine oil is the most important thing to do in your car. It is like the blood in your body, if you don't have any you will die... so will your car. It is that critical. So, when to check it? You will have to become friends with your car and get to know the oil consumption rate a bit... I would do that by starting out with a full oil level and then checking the oil everytime you fill it with gas. If it is leaking or burning the oil, the level will gradually go down on the dip stick. Full is at the top mark, low is at the bottom mark. Not on the dipstick at all doesn't necessarily mean you are completely out of oil, you are just in a very critical level point and you don't know exactly how much oil you do have!

Check your owner's manual and see how much oil your car is supposed to have when full. Generally, the volume of oil between the top mark and the bottom mark is one or two quarts of oil. If you have a five quart system, I would need one or two quarts at the bottom mark. If it just touches the bottom of the dipstick, it is probably another one or two quarts low which means you only have one quart of oil left in the engine! Oil filters take up quite a bit of that volume as do all the ports and channels in the engine. The oil pickup needs a little bit of continuous volume too to keep things running.

The engine produces a lot of heat too which the oil helps to remove from critical bearing surfaces. Too low an oil volume will have your oil temperature going up and cooking the oil which turns it black prematurely.

Modern vehicles have a warning system built into them to warn drivers of a low oil condition though I am not certain of this on your chevy. When the oil pickup sucks air instead of oil for only a fraction of time, the oil warning light will flash on the dash. If oil pressure is ever lost completely, this light will stay on solid.

To sum this up, you needn't wait to check your oil when the engine is cold or hot... it just doesn't expand that much to make too much difference. When the engine is hot, the oil runs freely to the oil pan in less than a minute so you should be able to check the oil easily while getting gas. Never check the oil with the engine running!

You should keep a few quarts of oil in the car so you can add it when it needs it without having to pay almost $3/qt at the service station. From now on, you should check the oil and never see nothing on the stick! If you ever do, you might as well kiss that car goodbye because it is only a matter of time before it will die a quick yet permanent death. That oil light on the dash is supposed to come on for ~2 seconds when you turn the car on as a lamp check. check it out.

You'll know if you have an oil leak... it leaves an incredible mess on the bottom of your car and spots of oil on the ground wherever it goes.

Answer 2

I like to check it after it has been running. It should read towards the high end of the range if it is cool though. Check for leaks, and black residue in your exhaust pipe to see where the oil is going. Sometimes new vavle cover gaskets are needed, and they are an easy fix. Sometimes the oil pan needs the bolts tightened. Other times the filter or pan plug may be leaking from not being tightened enough. There's a multitude of gaskets and seals which could leak from age, so see where it is coming from and treat accordingly. It may need a trip to the shop. If it is an older car, expect some leakage or burning of oil, and check it more often, like every time you fill up. A 99 vehicle may be able to use oil, depends on how it is driven, how well maintained, and the miles. Hopefully this helped. Just watch it a little closer.

Answer 3

You checked it correctly, you are very low on oil. Start by adding one full quart and check again. Keep adding and checking until you reach the full mark. Always check oil with the engine off and after it has been sitting for at least 5 minutes. Check the oil every time you fill up the gas tank. Sounds like your engine is leaking or burning oil. Keep an eye on the level.

Answer 4

It is a good idea to check oil first thing in the morning before you start your car, or after it has set for a little while. If there is no oil on dip stick I would put some in it before I drove it. check it at least once a week.

Answer 5

If the stick is that dry, start by adding 1/2 quart and see where it shows up (let it sit a bit after adding befor you check) then add more, 1/2 quart at a time till it's where you want it.

Answer 6

obviously with an oil leak the oil runs down faster, but with any of the 90's cars they recommend that you check and change your oil every 3,000 miles to get the best perfomance out of your car. If that does not help then you might want to check your oil pan for something because if you have a back up of some sort your car might not last nearly as long as you would like.

Answer 7

You are low on oil!

Add a half quart at a time until you can see it on the stick, then add to the proper level.

Then start checking it every week or two.

Good Luck.

Answer 8

With a warm engine, you should get a fairly accurate reading after a couple of minutes, but I'd give it at least five. Not parked on the flat? Forget it - your reading will be meaningless, and could mean that you let the car run low or overfill it depending on the position of the dipstick in the sump.

Answer 9

you should drain the oil and change the filter and use 10w 30 oil.. it take 4.5 quarts to fill your oil.. sound like if you dont you will blow your engine up.