Quick question on oil dip stick

ShadySS · 08-30-2017, 05:27 PM

Recently had the dealer change my oil, the other day i went and checked the dip stick, and it was only at 1/4, note this was after sitting over night, so cars completely cold, after I got to work, I let it sit for about 10 mins and checked, dip stick reads full.

So just wondering, which one I trust? Am I low on oil? Or I'm fine?

Glen e · 08-30-2017, 05:30 PM

I personally use the reading I get, after shutting it off for one hour.

devnull · 08-30-2017, 05:56 PM

Let it sit for a bit. These motors drain oil back into the pan for quite a bit after shutting down. I wait an hour too.

Dharmadude · 08-30-2017, 08:47 PM

This might be a very obvious idea, and in no way am I trying to talk down to you, but could the dip stick not be all the way in? This would assuredly show a bogus reading, especially after it read full when you pushed the stick all the way in. Just a silly thought.....however, running a motor with low oil is a recipe for disaster as we all know.

Gunkk · 08-30-2017, 09:24 PM

Checked the oil the first morning after bringing her home: full.
One week later while filling up at a gas station: down half. WTF!?
Later that evening after sitting for a bit: full.

Conclusion: as others have said, it drains back slow. Don't check the oil unless the car has sat for a bit.

ShadySS · 08-31-2017, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dharmadude

This might be a very obvious idea, and in no way am I trying to talk down to you, but could the dip stick not be all the way in? This would assuredly show a bogus reading, especially after it read full when you pushed the stick all the way in. Just a silly thought.....however, running a motor with low oil is a recipe for disaster as we all know.

I don't feel that you're talking down, sometimes we all miss the obvious things lol, but yes it's pushed all the way down.

And yes gunk that's exactly my question, your car was left over night, and you checked it cold, full correct? Then me being 1/4 only when cold would mean I'm low?

1970judge · 08-31-2017, 06:19 AM

crosive · 08-31-2017, 07:03 AM

I had this issue as well. I try to keep a check on it since it's "breaking in" and the lowest I saw it was about an 1/8th from the bottom, after sitting overnight. still within the ok range, I drove to get food and oil. checked oil at autozone, and it was full, after having only sat maybe 10 minutes.

everytime I've checked since, after having sit for various lengths of time, it's been full, so I've added none. It was a weird occurence methinks.

Biscuit.fr · 08-31-2017, 07:11 AM

Next time
Look at the oil change maintenance by yourself...

I came with my own performance mobil1 oil,
Watched the guy and stop him before he put his std oil coming from their common tank,
And put my 10qts of Mobil 1
Checked the good level 3/4 on the stick marks
And I'm now feeling good...

Soleil · 08-31-2017, 07:57 AM

How do you check the oil?
You sould pull the stick out gently and make the first reading. Clean the stick, push it back in. Pull it out again and make a second reading. When you push the stick in after the first reading a little oil which is left on the inside of the pipe will give you a slightly false reading. It take ages until the oil is drained back in pan.

LT4Greg · 08-31-2017, 09:16 AM

I check mine after sitting overnight. The other day it was half way down in the cross hatched part on the dipstick so I added a half quart of oil and that brought it back to the correct level.

ShadySS · 08-31-2017, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soleil

How do you check the oil?
You sould pull the stick out gently and make the first reading. Clean the stick, push it back in. Pull it out again and make a second reading. When you push the stick in after the first reading a little oil which is left on the inside of the pipe will give you a slightly false reading. It take ages until the oil is drained back in pan.

I check as you explained above, I guess my driveway being kind of steep probably doesn't help, I'll check it when I'm done work, flat parking there.

Ecchi667 · 08-31-2017, 11:05 AM

Maybe I'm getting my cars muddled, but I think it's supposed to be half way up the hashed area cold when full. When warm, it'll be at the top of the hashed area. As long as it's in the hashed area, it's good. Below the hash/nothing seen - too little, add a half quart and check again (I think from bottom of hash to top is one quart). Above the hash - too much, and you may want to drain a little if this is a consistent reading (too much oil is worse than being a little low).

ChevyRules · 08-31-2017, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT1Greg

I check mine after sitting overnight. The other day it was half way down in the cross hatched part on the dipstick so I added a half quart of oil and that brought it back to the correct level.

I thought half way down was the appropriate level for cold oil and when warm, it should be all the way to the top of the cross hatch?

08-30-2017, 05:27 PM	#1
ShadySS Drives: 2017 Hyper Blue SS Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Toronto Posts: 107	Quick question on oil dip stick Recently had the dealer change my oil, the other day i went and checked the dip stick, and it was only at 1/4, note this was after sitting over night, so cars completely cold, after I got to work, I let it sit for about 10 mins and checked, dip stick reads full. So just wondering, which one I trust? Am I low on oil? Or I'm fine?

08-30-2017, 05:30 PM	#2
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	I personally use the reading I get, after shutting it off for one hour. __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

08-30-2017, 05:56 PM	#3
devnull Scientific negotiator Drives: 2019 Grand Sport Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Forsyth, GA Posts: 873	Let it sit for a bit. These motors drain oil back into the pan for quite a bit after shutting down. I wait an hour too. __________________ 2019 Grand Sport M7 2018 ZL1 *1LE* 6MT 2017 SS *1LE* 6MT . Matthew 25:40 *ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑβΕ*

08-31-2017, 06:19 AM	#7
1970judge Drives: 2015 Z/28, 2007 HHR Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 1,148	Attached Images

08-31-2017, 07:57 AM	#10
Soleil Drives: Camaro 50th anniversary edition Join Date: May 2017 Location: Europe Posts: 2,203 View My Garage	How do you check the oil? You sould pull the stick out gently and make the first reading. Clean the stick, push it back in. Pull it out again and make a second reading. When you push the stick in after the first reading a little oil which is left on the inside of the pipe will give you a slightly false reading. It take ages until the oil is drained back in pan. __________________ Soleil _____________________________________________ A car is fast enough, if you fear to unlock it in the morning." (Walter Roehrl)

08-30-2017, 08:47 PM	#4
Dharmadude Drives: 2017 SS 6M Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Union City Posts: 14	This might be a very obvious idea, and in no way am I trying to talk down to you, but could the dip stick not be all the way in? This would assuredly show a bogus reading, especially after it read full when you pushed the stick all the way in. Just a silly thought.....however, running a motor with low oil is a recipe for disaster as we all know.

08-30-2017, 09:24 PM	#5
Gunkk Thank you Al Oppenheiser! Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 5,009 View My Garage	Checked the oil the first morning after bringing her home: full. One week later while filling up at a gas station: down half. WTF!? Later that evening after sitting for a bit: full. Conclusion: as others have said, it drains back slow. Don't check the oil unless the car has sat for a bit.

08-31-2017, 07:03 AM	#8
crosive Drives: 18 zl1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: central alabama Posts: 935	I had this issue as well. I try to keep a check on it since it's "breaking in" and the lowest I saw it was about an 1/8th from the bottom, after sitting overnight. still within the ok range, I drove to get food and oil. checked oil at autozone, and it was full, after having only sat maybe 10 minutes. everytime I've checked since, after having sit for various lengths of time, it's been full, so I've added none. It was a weird occurence methinks.

08-31-2017, 07:11 AM	#9
Biscuit.fr Drives: Red hot ZL1 A10 2017 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: MS Back to France (29) Posts: 804	Next time Look at the oil change maintenance by yourself... I came with my own performance mobil1 oil, Watched the guy and stop him before he put his std oil coming from their common tank, And put my 10qts of Mobil 1 Checked the good level 3/4 on the stick marks And I'm now feeling good...

08-31-2017, 09:16 AM	#11
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,824	I check mine after sitting overnight. The other day it was half way down in the cross hatched part on the dipstick so I added a half quart of oil and that brought it back to the correct level. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

08-31-2017, 11:05 AM	#13
Ecchi667 Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS, 6spd M Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 326 View My Garage	Maybe I'm getting my cars muddled, but I think it's supposed to be half way up the hashed area cold when full. When warm, it'll be at the top of the hashed area. As long as it's in the hashed area, it's good. Below the hash/nothing seen - too little, add a half quart and check again (I think from bottom of hash to top is one quart). Above the hash - too much, and you may want to drain a little if this is a consistent reading (too much oil is worse than being a little low).

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