Checking oil level

[E2DJH]

Which is the correct way to do this?

For teh past 17k miles i have been doing this when the engine is cold. Is this correct, or should it be warmed up first?

Many thanks

[thegman]

hmm. think you might end up with oil on you face if you try and do it warm. would suggest let the car cool COMPLETELY before checking levels

[E2DJH]

Thanks Gareth, i thought as much, but it was an uneducated guess.

[Flintstone]

thegman said:

hmm. think you might end up with oil on you face if you try and do it warm.

Metaphorically or literally?

[thegman]

hmm TBH ive never actually tried it but would be a bit worried about the pressure differential in a hot engine.

[nikman]

PRESSURE?? This isn't about oil presssure it's about checking the sump level with the dip stick which can be done cold or (preferably) hot without getting anything on your face - metaphorically or otherwise

With a hot engine, so long as it's been left for a few minutes since being switched off, the reading is perfectly reliable as all the significant hot oil will have drained back into the sump. The worst time to do it is with a cold engine that has been run for a few minutes and the much thicker oil has NOT drained down back to the sump from the valve gear etc at the top of the engine.

[thegman]

i stand corrected.

so to get a correct reading wait 5 mins after turning off engine

[nikman]

thegman said:

i stand corrected.

so to get a correct reading wait 5 mins after turning off engine

.....or however long it takes you to fill up with petrol, go and queue, pay, find the paper towel dispenser, apologise to the person behind waiting to get on to your pump, release and lift the bonnet and then walk around the other side to the dip stick!! Yes, 5 minutes was probably about right!!

[siobe]

I find you get the most accurate reading with the engine running

[bigdods]

As I live on a hill the only flat place I get to park at is the local BP station. Fill up, pay, check oil, top up as necessary , give it some beans pulling off the forecourt ;-)

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

siobe said:

I find you get the most accurate reading with the engine running

....and at 70 mph presumably!

[nikman]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

siobe said:

I find you get the most accurate reading with the engine running

....and at 70 mph presumably!