So as I changed from oil to oil my 07 STI dipstick picks and chooses when it wants oil to stick to itself. I run Rotella 15W40 (as per my blocks builder AXIS Stage 3 built SB) and once the oil is more than a few days old it starts to read funny if at all on the dipstick. Sometimes just on the back, sometimes only on the very edges up the dipstick, its like a fricken game. I came back from the Subaru Midwest Shootout and the dipstick was bone dry 4x's in a row. So I drained the oil (looked like ass from a rough weekend) and there was well over 4QTs still in there.

Anyone have this issue and figure out an alternative? This simple thing keeps me up at night.

This is a well known issue with these engines. You will find numerous post on the issue if you search.

This is what I look like trying to read my dipstick. :huh: or:furious:

was the car hot aka closed loop, because if it was just warming up the oil is usually lower

some people have scored little crosshatches on the stick to try and get the oil to stick to it more consistently

This is a well known issue with these engines. You will find numerous post on the issue if you search.

This is what I look like trying to read my dipstick. :huh: or:furious:
Been there done that. Inside the forum as well as Google. If you have a thread or two worth reading feel free to post the links I'll read them.

The issue got worse when I moved to the Rotella 15W40. I did a clean oil test and dipped the entire stick into a fresh gallon and it stuck . I cleaned it off put it back in and read half ass again .

was the car hot aka closed loop, because if it was just warming up the oil is usually lower

no 15 minutes after driving on the hwy for 25 minutes.

some people have scored little crosshatches on the stick to try and get the oil to stick to it more consistently
I thought about that as well.

One thing I may try is to sandblast the bottom four inches of the dipstick.

One thing I may try is to sandblast the bottom four inches of the dipstick.
Thanks for the info :)

some people have scored little crosshatches on the stick to try and get the oil to stick to it more consistently

i'm thinking of doing this. my 86 celica had that, and it was always easy to read...i usually end up reading my subaru dipsticks 4-5 times before determining what the actual oil level is.

i'm thinking of doing this. my 86 celica had that, and it was always easy to read...i usually end up reading my subaru dipsticks 4-5 times before determining what the actual oil level is.
A buddy of mine showed me the one he uses in his 300ZX its on a cable with like a small block on the end and it has cross hatch marks on it. We are going to sandblast the dipstick and see if it helps.

I've never had an oil dipstick that was difficult to read until I bought an STI. :p What works for me is to pull the stick, wipe it clean, insert it fully but slowly. I get consistent readings. Pump it up and down, insert it fast. It will read from no oil to +1 qt. hyw61

A buddy of mine showed me the one he uses in his 300ZX its on a cable with like a small block on the end and it has cross hatch marks on it. We are going to sandblast the dipstick and see if it helps.

I borrowed my neighbors Chevy Colorado, and it has a stainless steel cable dipstick with a crossed hatched metal block. Very good design. Someone should make an aftermarket dipstick for Subaru's like this. Wonder about any patent issues for our app?

Another thing that i've found recently that helps is to pull the stick, wipe it and then put it back in for about a minute or two to lett the oil settle. Then pull and observer again.

rotella t is also a diesel formulated oil and not a standard sae formula. its pretty damn thick.
i have the same problem when ever im changing oil on alot of diesel trucks using rotella.
normally takes longer for the oil to fall

Am I the only one that doesn't have that problem??:confused: I've checked the level of the oil in my car probably around 2,000 times through the 8 years of owning it though....

I check mine every other day just because I'm neurotic and my last STi burned a qt every 500 miles or so