oil level full warm, but low when cool

[QMartinez]

I have an 01 pt cruiser. I have noticed that when the engine is warm, having sat up to 2 hours or so, the oil level is correct. But when I check the oil after the vehicle has sat overnight or longer it reads 1/3 low. Anybody have any experience with an issue like this? Usually it will read higher after sitting.

thanks, Q.

 

[Herz]

Your supposed to read it warm anyways. As long as you put the correct amount of fluid in you should be good. Some dipsticks suck , others are great.

 

[Tosh]

Originally Posted By: defektes
Your supposed to read it warm anyways.

Really? Seems the only way to get a reliable repeatable reading is to wait long enough until the oil drains into the sump, by which time the engine should be cool.

Perhaps the car isn't sitting on level ground?

 

[PRND3L]

Refer to your owners manual. Some say check warm, some say check cold.

 

[QMartinez]

It is parked in my garage and in the same position while checking everytime. I am just curious as to why is reads low when checked after sitting overnight, but read full when checked after sitting for 30-60 mins.

I will see what the manual recommends. I don't want to over fill it. I put in the 4.5 quarts it calls for though, and it reads full when warm so I am leaning towards checking while warm.

 

[PRND3L]

Originally Posted By: QMartinez
I am just curious as to why is reads low when checked after sitting overnight, but read full when checked after sitting for 30-60 mins.


Right? One would think it would be the other way around.

 

[edhackett]

Oil expands when it gets hot. It's as simple as that.

Ed

 

[Herz]

Only reliable dipstick I have seen is on my 2.5 Jeep. Warm or cold, slanted or level, the dipstick on that thing is always accurate.

 

[Eddie]

Common with Subaru 4 Cyl engine. Subaru puts a HOT line and a normal add/full mark too. The hot line is ~ 1/3 inch above the normal full mark.

 

[mechtech2]

Engine oil level goes up when hot vs/ cold.
Not usually a lot. I guess yours is more sensitive.

Now if you really want to see a change in level from cold to hot, check an automatic trans!

 

[Falcon_LS]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Now if you really want to see a change in level from cold to hot, check an automatic trans!


True that!

 

[Spector]

Oil expands when it gets hot. It's as simple as that.

As noted by someone earlier this is correct. Mine can be a couple of hash marks on the dipstick between warm and totally cold. Same with your coolant tank between a summer day and zero outside, much much lower.

I check totally cold for consistency.