Daft Question - Oil level on dipstick

[zippee]

Checking my oil at the weekend and pulling the dipstick out it showed as just above the minimum level, re-inserted the dipstick to double check, this time with the little handle/loop pointing the other way towards the engine. Pulled it out and this time it showed just over full.
Basically the level on one side of the stick is always higher than on the other. Which way round is correct, I don't want to put oil in only to find I've over-filled it, on the other hand I don't want to run the engine on low oil. My oil pressure is fine, 20 at idle rising to around 50/60 on the move.

[steve1c]

Make sure you wipe it before each reinsertion (ooh err missus) and it's probably the side nearer you for normal reading as the back edge tends to touch the side wall of the pipe (dipstick not perfectly straight)and sometimes oil gets lifted up as you draw the dipstck up.


>> Edited by steve1c on Wednesday 25th May 10:41

[parrot of doom]

I'd always assume the lower reading was the more accurate of the two.

[chimy]

i have the same problem in my 5l and i have been told be be careful of overfilling!! I currently have the handle loop towards the engine block.

but i dont know which is correct