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oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot?

Old 01-02-2005, 01:16 AM
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Default oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot?

simple question. some people say between dot & some say right at the top dot/slightly before dot. which one is it?
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Old 01-02-2005, 01:36 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (1.8)

At the top dot is where it should be if it is full
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Old 01-02-2005, 02:02 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (1.8)

I would like to know also

I hear it is always inbetween the two dots
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Old 01-02-2005, 02:33 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (IncrediVtec)

i thought it was Low .. High

I keep it at High, but then again I have a turbo.
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Old 01-02-2005, 06:12 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (1.8)

i allways fill my oil to the top of the dot.
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Old 01-02-2005, 06:55 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (kr)

@ the top dot its full... at the bottom dot, its 1 quart low.

basically, between dots = 1 quart
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Old 01-02-2005, 07:09 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (slambedcivic)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slambedcivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">@ the top dot its full... </TD></TR></TABLE>
That's not so. Between the dots is considered full. When checking your oil, top it off when it gets to the bottom mark. Usually about 1/2 quart on a Honda.
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Old 01-02-2005, 07:34 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (Chiovnidca)

The thing about dots is the following. If you keep oil between dots you guarantee your oil pressure will always be the proper pressure, even in close turns and stuff. The fact that your oil level is a little bit higher or lower won't affect the oil pressure (which is we need to be stable) between the 2 dots. If your oil is low (on the lower dot or even lower) you might have oil pressure problems going out on a track or something, and that might be really serious at 6k RPM.

Correct me if I'm wrong.


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Old 01-02-2005, 07:58 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (Imprezor)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Imprezor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The thing about dots is the following. If you keep oil between dots you guarantee your oil pressure will always be the proper pressure, even in close turns and stuff. The fact that your oil level is a little bit higher or lower won't affect the oil pressure (which is we need to be stable) between the 2 dots. If your oil is low (on the lower dot or even lower) you might have oil pressure problems going out on a track or something, and that might be really serious at 6k RPM.

Correct me if I'm wrong.


</TD></TR></TABLE>


You are correct sure.

If your between the dots your good, i usually go up to the top dot to give way for the turbo. But if your between the dots then your ok. If you touch the bottom dot add oil, and if your under it seriously add oil.
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Old 01-02-2005, 08:04 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (Luserkid)

Between half dots and I get vtec cutout on track... top dot is fine... I usually keep it about 1/2 above the top dot. This covers the slight oil consumption of me reving to 9k

The top dot is full.... bottom dot is 1 quart low.... if you put the right amount of oil in, you'll see that it will goto the top dot
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Old 01-02-2005, 08:51 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (Chiovnidca)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chiovnidca &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That's not so. Between the dots is considered full. When checking your oil, top it off when it gets to the bottom mark. Usually about 1/2 quart on a Honda.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I always understood the top dot is full and it's one full quart from bottom dot to top dot. Why would there be a nonexistent full mark between 2 marks?
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Old 01-02-2005, 09:11 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (JimmyAtlantis)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JimmyAtlantis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I always understood the top dot is full and it's one full quart from bottom dot to top dot. Why would there be a nonexistent full mark between 2 marks?</TD></TR></TABLE>

thanks.... kinda what i was about to reply. honda may consider it full, but its not to my satisfaction. if its not to the TOP dot, im not happy
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Old 01-02-2005, 09:21 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (JimmyAtlantis)

I wouldn't fill it past the top dot cuz then you'll have the crank splashing into the oil in the pan. Overfill it enough and run it and you'll see what I mean. One time I had an imported Toyota engine we dropped into an old Corolla, we assumed it was empty. Filled it up with oil to see if we could get it started and it ran like total crap. Then it occurred to me to check the oil level and it had close to double the required oil in it.
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Old 01-02-2005, 09:29 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (shaundrake)

The overfill 1/2 quart is something used for the track only. The Gs pulled in high speed turns are brutal... even with baffling. When i drop 1/2qt low... i get cutout. The fix is to overfill just a smidge, not enough to dip the crank, but enough to cover my oil eating during a 30minute session.

Alot of the R guys I know that also burn oil from higher rpms... also use this to avoid cutouts. No issues so far, motor is nice and happy/healthy. Just don't go nuts on the overfill and remember its being used at the TRACK
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Old 01-02-2005, 04:06 PM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (splitime)

thanks for the input. so leaving up to the top won't effect anything?
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Old 01-04-2005, 02:16 PM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (1.8)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1.8 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">honda may consider it full, but its not to my satisfaction. if its not to the TOP dot, im not happy</TD></TR></TABLE>

I know what you mean, I'm always on the top dot too. But speaking theoretically, your engine won't be more/less lubricated just because your oil level is higher or lower, if you're between the two dots. 'Cause the oil pump always pumps a certain amount of oil (constant, for a given RPM), no more no less. So Honda (and almost every brand that uses this "dot measurement system" hehe) guarantees that if your car is in stock condition, and your oil level is between the two dots, your engine will be appropiatelly lubricated, even in the closest turn on a track or something. Now if you're running turbo, or upgraded tires/suspension or anything that requires oil in those extreme conditions where the car would never get in stock conditions, then you should keep it on top dot, and if you've gone far enough in modifications, buy a better oil pump (like Type R's or something), etc etc etc.
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Old 01-04-2005, 06:01 PM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (Imprezor)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Imprezor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">So Honda (and almost every brand that uses this "dot measurement system" hehe) guarantees that if your car is in stock condition, and your oil level is between the two dots, your engine will be appropiatelly lubricated, even in the closest turn on a track or something. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Guarantees nothing. If I am partway between the 2 dots... I GET vtec cutout in highspeed turns on track. Full I'm fine... since I burn a little each session, I run a hair over the top dot. This insures no cutout in highspeed turns.

Read this as you may. On the street I'm at the top dot. On the track I"m 1/2 quart over.
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Old 01-04-2005, 06:06 PM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (splitime)

you should keep the oil in between the two dots, atleast thats what my helms manual says, dont go below the first dot and above the second...
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Old 01-06-2005, 05:34 AM
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Default Re: oil dip stick. between 2 dots or at the top dot? (splitime)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by splitime &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I GET vtec cutout in highspeed turns on track.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well maybe I'm wrong, but... Are you running stock 185 mm wide tires? Are you using stock suspension? stock sway bars? At the very moment you upgrade one of these, you can't count on what Honda calculated to guarantee oil pressure between dots in your stock car.

If your car is completely stock, then I'm wrong.


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