i went to check my oil today since its leaking oil to a very minimal point. when i park i only see 3 little drops nothing major but drives me crazy. anyway when i check my oil it was low(first dot) started to fill it up but i ran out of oil. the reading now was 1/4 under the second dot. i went driving on the highway and street (40-50mi). got home and checked my oil to make sure everything was ok i check it and now its 1/4 above the second dot. looks like i have too much oil. anyone know which is the right reading?

 

Did you check the oil the first time when the engine was at operating temp?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sporkcrx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Did you check the oil the first time when the engine was at operating temp?</TD></TR></TABLE> yeah when its at reg. temp it reads higher. im using Mobil1 10w30

 

yea i believe the oil level raises a little after driving the car around. I've done this before too...accidentally put too much in.

 

so which reading is correct. the reading when the car is cold or at operating temp? just wondering so i dont put too much oil

 

When the engine's warm, shut the car off and wait 5-10 mins. Then take the reading. That's the most consistent way.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by raene &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">When the engine's warm, shut the car off and wait 5-10 mins. Then take the reading. That's the most consistent way.</TD></TR></TABLE>
sounds good

 

do you guys think its bad to have as much as he said with about a 1/4 over the second dot. I've done this twice now by accident

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHC_MShue &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">do you guys think its bad to have as much as he said with about a 1/4 over the second dot. I've done this twice now by accident </TD></TR></TABLE>

i would also like to know. bump

 

Its probably not going to hurt anything, but they did put that second dot there for a reason

The best way to do it is to park your car on a even surface let it sit (1-2) hours then read the stick, make sure its in between the dots. This insures that there is no leftover oil still in the upper part of the block and head( like if you only let it sit for 10-15min) If you make sure its in the middle the oil will then rise (on the stick) to the top line when at opperating temp.

 

Do not put too much oil in. I had a problem with the oil not leaving the turbo do to the fact the return was not under the oil level.

 

so check it about an hr after a drive