Newb Question:

Which is the proper time to check the engine oil level?

a) When the engine is cold

b) When the engine is warm

c) Engine is warm, but shut off for a few minutes to allow oil to drain into pan

d) Some other time

Further, when filling the oil, should one fill to the F mark on the dipstick as read when the engine is

a) Cold

b) Warm

etc, you get the drift

Thanks,

Mike

When checkin the oil level, always let your car sit for a couple of minutes for the oil to drain back down to its resting level.

You can check your level warm, cold, whatever....just know where to look on the dip stick.

When cold, you want the level to be as close to F as possible (between L and F you're pretty much good)

When hot (like if I've been driving for an hour and stop at a gas station) the level usually is close to or at the full when hot marker (a small concave indentation)

When filling your engine, I run my engine till it warm so as much old oil will drain out as possible (don't burn your fingers removing the nut). After filling, which I don't usually pit in the full amount right away, I run the engine (not drive it) for about 5 minutes, and let it sit for about as many. Then I fill to the F mark.

How about reading the manual that came with the car that clearly explains everything?

How about reading the manual that came with the car that clearly explains everything?

How about not assuming that I haven't? The manual's wording is unclear as to when to do the actual checking, it only goes into detail as to what to expect at each given instance.

People trolling the newbie forum just to try and shoot people down for asking 'newbie' questions... :rolleyes:

kickitjp: So when filling the engine, just run it from cold start for 5 mins then fill to the F Mark?

Yep...and use synthetic motoroil after your breakin period :cool:

(Mobil 1, Redline...) search the threads for suggestions...I go with Mobil 1

edit: oh, and obiously change the filter out as well (one of the reasons we run the engine after a new oil change is to fill the filter and re-check for the new level)

I sometimes go with K&N (high oil flow) or PureOne (it's cheap and good)

---------------------
When you feel confident enough, try chaning both the manual transmission and rear differential fluid (gear oil) w/ synthetics....reccomend Redline...its makes your gearbox feel as if shifting in butter. :disco:

How about not assuming that I haven't? The manual's wording is unclear as to when to do the actual checking, it only goes into detail as to what to expect at each given instance.

People trolling the newbie forum just to try and shoot people down for asking 'newbie' questions... :rolleyes:

kickitjp: So when filling the engine, just run it from cold start for 5 mins then fill to the F Mark?
Funny how mine exactly explains where the level should be at cold or warm and I think the wording is pretty clear. The only reason I'm "trolling" the n00b forum is to help those who actually need help and aren't too dumb to read a simple manual.

OH snap!

Funny how mine exactly explains where the level should be at cold or warm and I think the wording is pretty clear. The only reason I'm "trolling" the n00b forum is to help those who actually need help and aren't too dumb to read a simple manual.



Wow you sure showed me, now that we've all basked in the warm glow of your altruism, you can go on and 'help' the other newbies in need of your particular brand of assistance. :rolleyes:

Kickitjp, thanks for the info, much appreciated

No problem

I happen to agree if you dont want to help him then move on and dont waste your time shooting him down. Sorry not everyone is the same. Some need more explanation than others. Thats life man. You dont want to help, move on.

Funny how mine exactly explains where the level should be at cold or warm and I think the wording is pretty clear. The only reason I'm "trolling" the n00b forum is to help those who actually need help and aren't too dumb to read a simple manual.


I think it was a valid question because my manual is in french :huh: and at least I know now what the hell it was trying to tell me.

Just to make sure it's clear, the answers to his original questions are A and A. However, being off by 1/4 or 1/2 quart won't cause a problem, so it's probably more important to be consistent -- don't compare your measurement when cold with your measurement after arriving at the gas station. Remember, too, that your engine (& oil) take much longer to warm up than does the coolant which your dashboard temp gauge monitors. It will probably take 15 or 20 minutes to fully warm up the engine in city traffic. If you just hop in the car and drive 5 minutes to the gas station, you'll have to wait more than a few minutes for the not-warm oil to mostly drip back into the pan.

I think it was a valid question because my manual is in french :huh: and at least I know now what the hell it was trying to tell me.

haha! OwN3D! :D

I overfilled just a few days ago with one of those 5quart jobs of Mobile 1 from Wall Fart and I put WAY to much in -- prob a 1/2 quart too much. The level is far above the "F" mark -- oopss.. plus I forgot the crush washer so the oil leaks out of the drain plug a little after every drive. Do I risk harming the rings or head gasket or can I wait like a week to do the whole process over correctly?? Obvious newb here. :confused: