Checking oil

[paniaguae640]

I have a 03.5 msp and I know this is such a noob question but I have been hearing a lot of bias responses to this. When do you check your oil on the dipstick, when your car is cold or hot?

 

[speedin]

should be hot and off.

 

[special--k]

And you have to wait a good few minutes after you turn it off in order for the Oil to settle down.

Also, If you are able to read the MSP dip stick tell me your address im going to send you a trophy...

Maybe it just me, but i can never see where the oil is at on that thing.

 

[yudkib]

yeah me either... i was afraid i was running on 1Q, then checked again and was afraid i was running 1Q over full.

 

[speedin]

i thought i was just losing my vision and needed glasses. my wife wonders what the hell i am doing when i check it as i stare and squint.

 

[DIYSpeed#1193]

you really should check it when it is cold which assures that all of the oil gets back down into the pan and gives you a precise measurement of how much is in there.....if it is difficult to read the dip stick....you can try turning it 180 degrees and putting it in that way....sometimes you get a better reading by putting it in after flipping it around.....it sounds weird but it's true and it works......

 

[pavone]

that damn dipstick gets me every time....so angry when i go chech the oil. also i do it shut down after a couple min or before i get in to drive. dont really think about it that much tho.

 

[nickster]

Heat expands so the oil level is at it's highest when hot. So for the most accurate reading, check it when its hot and do what SPECIAL--K said, wait a few until the oil settles.

 

[mgerst1]

I check it while the car is on, lol

 

[special--k]

I check it while the car is on, lol

thats a No No!!

The oil is moving around, so you will get bad readings

 

[Boosted_Speed]

I check it while the car is on, lol

lol its okay you will learn the right wayy(puke)