Obsession with my dipstick

[zoomie]

Trying to get an accurate read that is...

This car's dipstick is poorly engineered, Ive never had any doubt with any reading from any other vehicles Ive checked, period.

Problem is it streaks and is different from one side to the next for starters. Okay, so wait for five min when its warm, problems still there. So wait an hour, 24hr even, okay 24, on one side the level is about 1/8in below the top dimple and the distance between the two dimples is 1 1/2in.

Its a 4 quart sump. When the oil is in the upper engine that level of course would go down correct? If Im going to take a long trip, this oil is not likely fuel diluted, would it be recommended to add so that the level is at the top dimple when cold?

 

[Colt45ws]

Your engine would likely not care one way or the other.

 

[tomcat27]

I have the same problem on my Echo. cant read the stupid level - it always appears to be too full - even if I only pour in 3.5 qts. stupid square plastic dipstick!

 

[Carbon]

Originally Posted By: tomcat27
I have the same problem on my Echo. cant read the stupid level - it always appears to be too full - even if I only pour in 3.5 qts. stupid square plastic dipstick!

I don't know what your capacity is supposed to be. However, I would try draining better. Maybe tilt the car a tad to put the drain relatively lower. Then wait longer.

Still, I would then not overfill as measured by your dipstick.

 

[bepperb]

If the dipstick is metal, you might want to hit it with some ~220 to 400 grit (whatever is handy) sandpaper. It will make it much easier to read. Make sure you clean it off well before re-inserting.

With some of the nearly clear 5-30 and 5-20's, it's near impossible to get a good read without roughing the dipstick.

 

[Oilpants]

I check the dipstick daily!!! I'm always looking for particles by rubbing the tip between my fingers and Im checking for abnormal discoloration. I wipe the dispshtick down wit a clean rag and check the oil level consensuously.

 

[hate2work]

If your dipstick is metal you can make it much easier to read simply by dimpling it with a small center punch.

 

[Oilpants]

its got a crosshatch pattern. I have no issues reading the level why do you think I do??

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: Oilpants
its got a crosshatch pattern. I have no issues reading the level why do you think I do??


When you use the "Quick Reply" box, at the bottom of the page, it automatically references the previous post. I've made the same mistake, of thinking someone was replying to one of my posts, when it was simply a general response to the thread. I wish the system didn't automatically tag the "QR" posts, as it can easily create a misunderstanding. Oh, well, it is what it is...

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: bepperb
If the dipstick is metal, you might want to hit it with some ~220 to 400 grit (whatever is handy) sandpaper. It will make it much easier to read. Make sure you clean it off well before re-inserting.

With some of the nearly clear 5-30 and 5-20's, it's near impossible to get a good read without roughing the dipstick.


Good points. I recently switched to Amsoil ASM 0W20 and find reading the dipstick very hard now. I might just try roughing up the dipstick!

 

[oilyriser]

That's much better than a Subaru dipstick, which sometimes reads 3" above the F.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I might just try roughing up the dipstick!


ouch...

Although the twisted one on my Nissan makes even over night readings hit and miss.

 

[KrisZ]

Mazda 3's 2006 and up have a horrid dipstick. First of all, it's metal, so when the oil is fresh you can't see the level without looking at it at a specific angle

, there is no cresshatching, just two min and max marks, otherwise it's smooth in between, thank god the backside has FOMCO sign stamped

that catches some oil

.

The oil is virtually impossible to read after the engine was operating, the oil just smears all over, fortunatley, if you wait overnight or few hours, you can get a good reading with no fuss, so that's what I do.

I wouldn't worry about different levels on both sides of the dipstic, as long as it's between the min and max marks, or little above max.

 

[Eddie]

Life is so boring that we obsess over a dipstick reading. Makes me want to Get A Life. ha ha.

 

[prax]

Choose the side that gives a lower reading. This side should also have less smearing. Just ignore the other side. That's what I did.

 

[John_K]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
Life is so boring that we obsess over a dipstick reading. Makes me want to Get A Life. ha ha.


Makes me want to think with my dipstick!

John

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
Originally Posted By: demarpaint
I might just try roughing up the dipstick!


ouch...

 

[ViragoBry]

A lot of Mazda owners get a nasty scare the first time they try to check their oil after the car sits overnight. My 2004 3i (2.0) and my 2006 Speed 6 (2.3) will show the oil level to be below minimum if you just pull the stick and read it first thing in the morning. You have to remove it, wipe it off, re-insert and check if you want to know how much oil you really have.

I nearly freaked out the first time I saw this.

 

[RoGuE]

My dipstick is pretty good in my 2.2 Ecotec. It is a metal braided rope like piece until the very bottom where is it a thick piece of steel with ridges in it.

 

[Virtuoso]

I never did see the point of dip-sticks with holes in between the Add and Full lines until I owned one. Now I think they're great.