whats best way to check oil level?

Question

let it run for a min or check it cold and do u screw it all the way back in or just push it in

Answer 1

oil expands and contracts under diffrent tempratures. I find that by checking it cold you are looking at it in its thickest stage and thus the level would be lower than if it had warmed up. So their is no chance for mistake. Just pop the hood pull out the dip stick wipe off the oil for a more accurate reading; put it back in all the way and then pull it out and check.

Answer 2

Oil expands when hot. The correct way to check motor oil is to wait 10 minutes after shut down, then pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean then replace in the tube all the way in to the rest stop. Remove and see where the oil level is relative to the full and low marks. Add oil if half way to low or low back to the full mark.

Adding oil to a cold-checked engine can cause it to be over filled after running and warming the engine. That will then cause the oil to foam resulting in less than efficient lubricating of the engine, not unlike running too low on oil.

I have worked with various engine makers engineers and auto manufacturers, and they all say the same thing. Ck and adjust oil levels when the engine is warm. When I had warranty issues to deal with I'd have to instruct people in how to properly check oil. That solved a number of warranty issues that were nothing more than old wives tails on how to check oil. Cold check fails to account for the oil expansion after warming up. Hot check does account for it and 10 minutes allows time for draining back to the crankcase/oil pan.

Answer 3

I prefer to do it when it is warm (your oil stick should have 2 sides anyway for when cold and when warm - you're wanting oil when its warm anyway right?)..

Yes you should screw it in the full way, but be very careful when finding the thread of the screw as you don't want to touch the sides of the engine (covering it with oil and making it hard to see).

Really it doesn't matter too much, as the depth of the screw thread shouldn't effect it too much, but i always like to be safe and fill a little over (very little) to compensate.

Answer 4

Read your owners manual. All bikes are different. However, most bikes need to be warm in order to get a true reading of how much oil is needed. Oil drips to the lowest area of a motor (sometimes the ground) when it sits for a period of time.

Answer 5

i always check my oil after my first drive of the day..when i get home i let the car cool down for awhile..then check it..

pull the dipstick out..wipe the oil..put it back in..pull out again and check it to see how low it is under the little line on the dipstick..if its low add some oil :P...

Answer 6

You check the oil level when the engine is not hot.
Pull the oil stick out and look.

Answer 7

Take it to the morons at Jiffy Lube

Answer 8

Put it in nutral I think. Put the stick all the way in, twice, and pull out. Sounds alittle gross huh

Answer 9

i always do mine when it is warm