dipstick and oil question

[fimbo]

I'm probably being a dipstick, but is the min and max marked on the dipstick by the two holes punched above and below said references? I only ask cos the oil on mine is bang on the "Max" word on the dipstick when tested and has been for the last 2k since it was serviced. Don't want to damage the engine running it on too little oil if it should be up to the hole above it.

Thanks.

[dealmaster]

The 2 dots on the dipstick are the min & max. Bear in mind that as the car has a dry sump the engine needs to be warmed up in order to get an accurate reading for the oil level.

Best bet is to go for a drive and when you park up leave the engine running.
Open up the service bonnet and loosen the oil cap.
Now be pretty speedy and switch of the ignition....run around to the oil cap and start dipping and checking.
Looks pretty amusing to onlookers but it's the only surefire way of telling!

[beano500]

I'm just pinching from something I wrote a few months back:

Here's my method - disclaimer-ridden though just because I do it, doesn't mean it's 101% right!!!!!!

1 Get car out of garage - drive it lots
2 Eventually get back to garage (or if staying overnight somewhere arrive at destination)
3 Get out of car and raise garage door, while engine idles away
4 Back into garage
5 Get out of car and open bonnet
6 Loosen oil filler
7 Shout and swear that it's F'ing hot and go and get cloth to do point 6
8 Turn engine off
9 Check oil level - but just dip top to filler, don't screw in
10 Wait 30 seconds and see how it is now
11 Repeat point 10
12 Repeat point 10
13 IF oil level below max, top up IF NOT DON'T
14 Consider when I'm next going to Costco for good price on Mobil 1
15 GO TO POINT 1 ASAP!!!!!

[fimbo]

thanks for the advice. Any idea how much oil between min and max so I can work out how much to put in?

[beano500]

....about 1l

[fimbo]

thanks for your help.

[scurry]

Do you definitely not screw it in to check the level? I'm sure I was told at the dealers to screw it in, I can't remember, this alzheimers is a b********.

[beano500]

I don't. Now I'm not guaranteeing that that is correct, but:

a) the result will be under-reading if anything and

b) because it's a dry sump engine, over-filling will do no damage.

[fimbo]

i've taken into account Ron's disclaimner BUT, according to Racing Green, the cap MUST be screwed into get a correct measurement. I would guess that Ron's approach allows for a greater margin of error given the frantic way in which the oil has to measured! Better toom much than too little I guess.

[anonymous-user]

This is my method so usual disclaimer etc.

I have cut a piece of dowel measured against the dipstick to give exactly the same reading as the dipstick when screwed in. The advantage of the dowel is that you whip the dipstick out, dowel in and then read and... the dowel is much easier to read than the dipstick.