Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading?
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 0
From: VA, USA
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading?
The reason I'm asking is because my oil reading on the dipstick is significantly different if I check after the motor has been running, as compared to checking the dipstick after the car has been sitting overnight or something.
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque, United States of America
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading? (hybridreams)
quick question. the oil level should be between the two holes, right? mine is a little below the bottom hole, so is that bad? if so, how much oil should I put in to get it back in between teh holes? Thanks
New User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,415
Likes: 0
From: RAIDER NATION, CA, USA
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading? (garados)
quick question. the oil level should be between the two holes, right? mine is a little below the bottom hole, so is that bad? if so, how much oil should I put in to get it back in between teh holes? Thanks
the best way to check oil is before you start the engine... or a few minutes after you shut it off. pull out the dipstick. wipe it clean. put it back in... then pull it back out and then check the level.
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 934
Likes: 0
From: MIA, FL, USA
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading? (junglistgsr)
how much oil does the gsr need? about 5 quarts?
4.3 quarts.
4.3 quarts.
Factory spec is 3.7 qts., but 4 qts. even is the common fill amount (tops it right off). And actually, you should wait at least 15-30mins (I typically wait at least 1 hour - once my car is in the garage). for all of the oil to make its way down to the pan before checking the level. I kne a guy, years ago, who owned an "quickie Lube" place and never, ever , ever had to but oil for his own car (no, he did not steal or rip his customers off - he was one of the most honest people I have ever met - he simply had a tub with a top plate w/ holes cut in it, and he would stick the empty oil qts. in upside-down. By the time he needed his next oil change he had enough in the tub just from the oil that was "clinging" to the insides of the "empty" oil bottles. --With that said, it does take a little bit of time for the oil in your motor to make its way down and allow you to take an accurate reading!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,005
Likes: 59
From: Nowhere and Everywhere
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading? (GM2000ITR)
I always check my oil before I start my car for the first time that day (whatever day I happen to be checking the oil level, that is, usually on Saturday mornings). When I change my oil, I let the old stuff drain for about 10-15 mins (engine hot), then add 4 quarts even of fresh oil. When I check it the next morning, it's always right at or even a hair above the top hole. 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: clearwater, fl, usa
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading? (topfuel007)
i always heard you have to check it when the car is cold, otherwise the the oild is cerculated through the engine and a lot of it goes to the head, secondly oil expands when its hot so it wont read acuretly.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 0
From: NoVA, USA
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading? (GM2000ITR)
how much oil does the gsr need? about 5 quarts?
4.3 quarts.
Factory spec is 3.7 qts., but 4 qts. even is the common fill amount (tops it right off). And actually, you should wait at least 15-30mins (I typically wait at least 1 hour - once my car is in the garage). for all of the oil to make its way down to the pan before checking the level. I kne a guy, years ago, who owned an "quickie Lube" place and never, ever , ever had to but oil for his own car (no, he did not steal or rip his customers off - he was one of the most honest people I have ever met - he simply had a tub with a top plate w/ holes cut in it, and he would stick the empty oil qts. in upside-down. By the time he needed his next oil change he had enough in the tub just from the oil that was "clinging" to the insides of the "empty" oil bottles. --With that said, it does take a little bit of time for the oil in your motor to make its way down and allow you to take an accurate reading!
4.3 quarts.
Factory spec is 3.7 qts., but 4 qts. even is the common fill amount (tops it right off). And actually, you should wait at least 15-30mins (I typically wait at least 1 hour - once my car is in the garage). for all of the oil to make its way down to the pan before checking the level. I kne a guy, years ago, who owned an "quickie Lube" place and never, ever , ever had to but oil for his own car (no, he did not steal or rip his customers off - he was one of the most honest people I have ever met - he simply had a tub with a top plate w/ holes cut in it, and he would stick the empty oil qts. in upside-down. By the time he needed his next oil change he had enough in the tub just from the oil that was "clinging" to the insides of the "empty" oil bottles. --With that said, it does take a little bit of time for the oil in your motor to make its way down and allow you to take an accurate reading!
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 0
From: VA, USA
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading?
I have gotten mixed responses so I called Acura, and they told me that the best time the check your oil is when your engine is hot, on level ground, and of course with the car off...
Thanks for the responses though...
Thanks for the responses though...
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: CBus
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading? (topfuel007)
that makes no cents... Check it before all the oil gets thrown around in your engine... that would be before you start it up or after its been sitting for a while... Any other time like right when the engine is turned off will give you a lower reading.. they prolly told you that so that you get oil changes more often...
New User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 6,415
Likes: 0
From: RAIDER NATION, CA, USA
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading? (Racer-X13)
that makes no cents... Check it before all the oil gets thrown around in your engine... that would be before you start it up or after its been sitting for a while... Any other time like right when the engine is turned off will give you a lower reading.. they prolly told you that so that you get oil changes more often...
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,162
Likes: 1
From: So Cali
Re: What is the best time to check your oil for an accurate reading? (topfuel007)
check it a few minutes after its been turned off.. or when its been sitting for a while.. pull out the dipstick, wipe it, put it back in.. n then read the oil level on the dipstick..
it takes about 1 qt to go from the bottom hole/level to the top hole/level
also the fill capacity on a GSR is 4.25 qt.. I usually put in 4 quarts and then check the levels and add accordingly...
it takes about 1 qt to go from the bottom hole/level to the top hole/level
also the fill capacity on a GSR is 4.25 qt.. I usually put in 4 quarts and then check the levels and add accordingly...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
stephie1love
Honda Accord (1990 - 2002)
2
Aug 25, 2014 04:01 AM
X2BOARD
Tech / Misc
30
Jan 13, 2004 03:30 PM
