engine oil check?

Question

how do you PROPERLY check your engine oil? i had my engine oil changed a month ago by a shop and right when they finished they showed me on the oil stick that it was at max. but now whenever i check myself it doesnt show at one specific place where its says "max" but it shows very lightly all over the oil stick. i have tried to go driving and check it, doesnt show clearly. i have tried to start up for 5 mins then check, but still the same. i have tried to start up then put in neutral and check but still the same results. any advice?

Answer 1

the best time to check the oil is when the engine is cold, like before you start the car, all you do is pull the oil stick out, it should be on max, if not , add the right amount of oil, till its on max, if you check when the car has been running, all the oil has not drained down, so it wont properly read max on the stick.

Answer 2

To properly check your engine oil, when the engine is cold,(first thing in the morning) do not start the car... pull out the dip stick and use a paper towel and wipe it off top to bottom... then reinsert the dip stick into the engine where you pulled it out from. put it all the way in till it stops. count to three... then pull it back out and you should have a clear reading as to your engine oil level. If it is on max or just slightly under you are good to go. anything more than that you need to ad oil till it reads max. The reason for checking oil levels while engine is cold is because all the oil is in the oil pan and a true reading of quantity can be established. Checking after it has been running isnt accurate because there is oil all throughout the engine and not in the oil pan where it can be accurately measured.

Answer 3

I check my oil before I even start the car after it has sat for hours, either before going to work, or leaving work. You don't have to worry about "warming up the car", because in summer, the metal gets hot enough to keep the oil warmed up. Only in winter would you warm up the car to driving temps.

But always let it set a while, even few minutes for all of oil to drain back down. I even check it while pumping gas. And, no, it doesn't have to be at "max". That's why there's a range on the dipstick for the oil to be in. It's the equivalent of about a quart. So the oil can show at slightly different levels and still be okay. Then when it shows below the "lowest" acceptible level, you add a whole quart and it's running good.

Answer 4

make sure your car is parked on level ground. Take the dipstick out and wipe it off with a clean rag. Then put it back in, press it to make sure it is in all the way. Take it back out and hold it horizontal so the oil doesn't run down the dipstick. There should be a distinct buldge of oil on the stick, the entire stick will have traces of oil but it should be distiguishably thicker at one spot near the tip, this is the oil level. You typically don't want it at max, you want it somewhere in the crosshatched area, Never exced the maximum line.
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Answer 5

Yes friend: do not start the engine before you check the oil level; or let the engine cool down for half an hour after running before you check it. The best time to check the oil is with the engine cold, not hot or running.

Answer 6

let it get to normal opperating temp, turn off car, pull stick and clean it off, re-dip then check, usually wount say max but you will see a section usually about an inch long that is almost like a matte finish instead of the normal smooth finish on the dipstick, at the top of the matte looking part of the dipstick is full, there is also usally a line inprinted on the stick the top line is full, the botton line usually means add a quart.

Answer 7

letthe car sit for about an hour or two then remove the stick and wioe it clean with a paper towel , then reinsert the stick back into engine , now remove it again and dont tip it up leave the end down and read what it says

B.

Answer 8

1st, the engine needs to be heated up
2nd, the car needs to be on a flat surface
3rd , the car needs to sit a while for all the oil
to drain back to the pan
4th, remove the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean
paper towl.
5th re-insert and check it now, repeat 2-3 times to verify.

Answer 9

turn the engine off. make sure your car is relatively level, pull dipstick wipe off with a clean rag, put back in the dipstck tube, make sure it is down all the way, and take it back out. read the dipstick. it will have a full indicator, and a safe level that will indicate a safe level for your engine.

Answer 10

Once you pull the stick out wipe it and stick it back in and pull it out. You will be able to see it then. What you are seeing is all the residue. Take a paper towel or old rag and wipe it once stick it in and pull it back out. Hope that helps.