I last changed my oil 4000 miles ago with Mobil 1 5w 30 synthetic. Today I walked out to my car after 18 hours of it sitting in 0 degree weather and made multiple readings with the oil dipstick. The first reading showed the first hole filled with oil but 4 succesive readings showed unreadable slivers of oil. I added 1/2 liter of Mobil 1 synthetic and still cannot get the holes to fill with oil. I will get slivers, but nothing definate. I drove the car for 10 minutes and repeated the procedure multiple times to no avail.

my questions:

1. please, how can I read this dipstick?

2. if the oil level is 1/2 liter too high how far is that into the 'danger zone' of potential frothing of oil? (i drive the car pretty hard)

sorry for the stupid question but it's late and i'm worried.

thanks

Get a screw driver or sharp knife and make a series of XXXXXXXXXs in between the two holes of you dipstick. Many users find this helps the oil stick to the proper level as it is hard to read, especially if your car is new. Your dip stick is a general indicator of level. If you can read it on there, you are fine. If there is zero oil on it, then you can truly worry.

The dipstick on the WRX drags oil up the neck of the tube every time you pull it out.

My suggestion is this. Drive car, stop car, pull dipstick and let it sit out of the tube. Leave car of whatever period of time you're comfortable to ensure all the oil has drained back into the pan (i'd say an hour anyway). Then go back to car, insert dipstick, remove dipstick, take reading.

Don't attempt to keep checking it, because it'll just look funny. The first reading is accurate and easy to read.

I like the XXXXX thing, good idea. Keepin at the dots for years :D

Yeah I'm definitely gonna criss cross my STi's dipstick (thanks for the idea to the many people who have suggested it to me), that's why many dipsticks are checkered from the factory, they provide excellent readings IMO.

I know this is old but I wanted to confirm something. Are the two holes definate indicators of oil level? For instance, should the top hole definately be filled if I have the proper amount of oil? I just burned through what seems to be almost another quart of synthetic 5w30 in 1500 miles and I want to make sure I'm still doing this right. Haven't got around to XXX'ing the dipstick yet. I thought the little holes were an accurate indicator though...

Dipstick: ------0-------0-------YellowTop

Annotated Dipstick: -------01----2----03------YellowTop

1 indicates you are 1/2 qt low.
2 indicates your oil level is fine
3 indicates you are 1/2 qt too full

Any reading: 1, 2, or 3 is 100% fine. Add some if you are low if you feel like it. Remove some if you are too full if you feel like it. The only cause for genuine concern is if you are above 3 or below 1. As long as you are between the holes, you are good to go.