Originally Posted By: 93cruiser
I agree letting it sit all night is the way to go for total accuracy. Pull the stick out fast, get it horizontal and read within a blink of the eye.
Side bar-I think its funny to check the oil after doing a change. As in, dump old oil, pour in required amount, check dipstick. Umm, no. Example, if I know my tundra takes 8 quarts say, and I just put 8 quarts in after a complete drain, I'm pretty sure I know the oil is at the correct level without needing to look. I have friends that will not start their car until they verify its there and at correct level. I guess the oil went elsewhere and a check is needed? No way, craziness. I guess I just live dangerously, call me a rebel.
True, once you've changed the oil on a car a couple of times you learn to know exactly how much it takes and then you can just add that amount every time without needing to do a double check on the dipstick. But on the first change on an unfamiliar car you can't simply just drain the oil, add exactly what it says in the manual and call it a day, because that still might not be enough oil (or in some cases it might be too much, as I found with my Corvette)