Check oil when COLD..any owners manual say this?

[Triple_Se7en]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
So if you fill to the top line when cold, say at 60F, you are overfull at 200F.


No reason to fill to the top line with alot of engines.

Do an oil & filter change and put in the required amount. The next morning, check the dipstick when the car is cold and on level surface.

If the oil level is in-between the top and lower line, that's the fill mark you should operate at - as being full oil capacity - as listed in your manual.

If you add more at that point, you may still be in the safe zone, but according to your owners manual, you are over full oil capacity listed in your manual.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen
Best hot because the oil expands with heat. One Ford document I have says oil expands at a rate of 1 percent per 25F of oil temperature. So if you fill to the top line when cold, say at 60F, you are overfull at 200F. How much more the hot oil level will climb in the crankcase will have many variables according to surface are, etc. And obviously you account for this while checking the level, but this 1%/25F is a useful number to have in the back of one's mind.

Compared to checking the transmission fluid level the main difference reading the 2 hot is circulation. In a transmission the fluid cant go anywhere, so the expansion is clear. In an engine the top 1/2 can retain up to 1/3 of a qt for over 15 mins, making the reading appear lower. For me, morning readings always appear higher. I know what the exact capacity is, so i use the reading from a fresh oil change as a guide for cold reading.

 

[mechtech2]

The reason either cold or after sitting a while is recommended is because then the oil has had time to drain back in the pan.

Cold/hot levels DO change. In an auto trans, a lOT. In an engine, a little.

 

[TC]

Non-vehicle-specific recommendations. “Warm” or “cold” are not explicitly mentioned.
CASTROL: “Park the car on level ground, wait a few minutes for the oil level to settle and pull out the dipstick which is usually on the side of the engine.”
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=9030569&contentId=7055695

TOTAL: “Check your oil on level ground. Wait at least 5 minutes after switching off the engine. Remove the dipstick.”
http://www.total-lub.ca/Pages/canada.nsf/VS_OPM/C0B9B860A63B7771C12578A700211145?OpenDocument

 

[sixsix]

My truck holds 6 qts...I just dump it in a go. Usually check it the next morning to be sure and it's always a hair under the full mark.

 

[dparm]

Fortunately I bought a dipstick, but this is what my Audi says:

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: sixsix
My truck holds 6 qts...I just dump it in a go. Usually check it the next morning to be sure and it's always a hair under the full mark.


You don't add a half cup to bring it up to the full mark??? Shame shame...

That said I put 5½ qt in my '07 Grand Marquis at last OCI so it's half qt low, will probably stay at that level till next change...

 

[ammolab]

Originally Posted By: TC
Non-vehicle-specific recommendations. “Warm” or “cold” are not explicitly mentioned.
CASTROL: “Park the car on level ground, wait a few minutes for the oil level to settle and pull out the dipstick which is usually on the side of the engine.”
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=9030569&contentId=7055695

TOTAL: “Check your oil on level ground. Wait at least 5 minutes after switching off the engine. Remove the dipstick.”
http://www.total-lub.ca/Pages/canada.nsf/VS_OPM/C0B9B860A63B7771C12578A700211145?OpenDocument


No, but both state that your engine has been running: "Park your car on level ground, wait 5 minutes", and "switching off the engine". They don't explicitly state to check your oil after sitting overnight, or when cold.

 

[Texan4Life]

I prefer cold. I always get inconsistent readings when hot.

also wouldn't it be good to know you need oil BEFORE running your engine?

especially heavy duty applications when the engine stays running all day.

 

[ammolab]

Originally Posted By: Texan4Life
I prefer cold. I always get inconsistent readings when hot.

also wouldn't it be good to know you need oil BEFORE running your engine?

especially heavy duty applications when the engine stays running all day.


Wouldn't it be good to know that when your engine is HOT that the oil level is correct for a running engine? Isn't that when you need lubrication? Isn't that what the dipstick is calibrated for? The owner's manual: Read it, learn it, live it.

 

[KB2008X]

The oil level in an engine that is hot, and has been shut off for a few minutes to allow the oil to drain back into the pan, will be the same as the oil level in that engine after it has sat overnight, or at least within a millimeter. That is a simple fact of life – just accept it. The key to checking the oil level correctly is to be on level ground. Being level headed is helpful, too.

Keith

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: KB2008X
The oil level in an engine that is hot, and has been shut off for a few minutes to allow the oil to drain back into the pan, will be the same as the oil level in that engine after it has sat overnight, or at least within a millimeter. That is a simple fact of life – just accept it. The key to checking the oil level correctly is to be on level ground. Being level headed is helpful, too.

Keith

Hard to find around here, mostly cause many haven't a clue what actually goes on inside a engine...