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Best Time To Check Engine Oil Level?

Dean_HR31

By Dean_HR31,
in General Maintenance

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(OO)SKYLINE(OO) Grand Master

(OO)SKYLINE(OO)

Posted
Posted

^+1

Yes what Sheriff Wan said.

If you check it after the car has been driven / warmed up, the oil level will not be accurate.

Check it first thing in the morning is the best, so a cold engine.

(OO)SKYLINE(OO) Grand Master

(OO)SKYLINE(OO)

Posted
Posted

^Yes thats right.

The oil must settle 1st.

If you read the oil dip stick while the engine is running, oil pressure will build up and again, oil will be all over the dip stick and you wont get s correct reading.

SXC-R34 Collaborator

SXC-R34

Posted
Posted

I agree with the guys, And I recommend oil to be checked first thing in the morning as the car hasn't been started for many hours. I even recommend that for changing oil so that all the oil is down the bottom. If gota do it after u been drinving the car than u must stop the car for at least 2 hours, or more if possible.

FloydWestwood Veteran

FloydWestwood

Posted
Posted

I don't agree.

hot dip it within 20 minutes of stopping the engine.

Remember that oil is viscous, therefore it 'expands' and 'contracts' under different temperatures - so it's probably ideal to check your oil when it's warm to simulate oil level when the engine is actually running.

blind_elk Grand Master

blind_elk

Posted
Posted

So do I (disagree)!

You can check the oil level any time you like, as long as the engine isn't running, and the car is on level ground. If the engine has been running, leave it for as little as a minute before checking. After all, it's only a rough indication of oil quantity - it's either visible on the dipstick, or it's not. If it's visible, it's either high or it's low.

And always run the engine for a few minutes before changing the oil - the oil flows out much easier when it's warm.

TALBO Grand Master

TALBO

Posted
Posted
If gota do it after u been drinving the car than u must stop the car for at least 2 hours, or more if possible.

Definitely doesn't take 2 hours for all your oil to drip/seep back to sump. 15-20 minutes if car has been driven and then when you've pulled the sump plug leave it out whilst you change filter and clean up, even go make yourself a coffee. I normally leave plug out for 20 minutes or more.

sloazr33 Proficient

sloazr33

Posted
Posted

the skyline manual I have says to check the oil when the engine is at operating temperature and has been off for a few minutes.

for best results make sure the car is on level ground, pull the dipstick out and wipe it, then dip it again to check the level

sloazr33 Proficient

sloazr33

Posted
Posted

I drop my oil when it is at operating temperature and let it drain for about 20 minutes to get as much of the old oil out.

just have to be quick moving your hand out of the way when undoing the sump plug, because naturally, hot oil burns like a bastard lol

SXC-R34 Collaborator

SXC-R34

Posted
Posted
Definitely doesn't take 2 hours for all your oil to drip/seep back to sump. 15-20 minutes if car has been driven and then when you've pulled the sump plug leave it out whilst you change filter and clean up, even go make yourself a coffee. I normally leave plug out for 20 minutes or more.

Yeah you probably right, I just like being on the safe side, n wait a bit longer to let all the oil go down.

910trx Proficient

910trx

Posted
Posted
I drop my oil when it is at operating temperature and let it drain for about 20 minutes to get as much of the old oil out.

just have to be quick moving your hand out of the way when undoing the sump plug, because naturally, hot oil burns like a bastard lol

i always used an open spanner after undoing the sump plug with a socket.

takes a while for the hot oil to start dripping but when it does use the spanner and let it drop into the oil so you dont get 2nd degree oil burns.

make your tea as stated earlier then pour the oil into an old oil jug (remember you are not meant to bin it - recycle man) and grab the plug out or your drip tray when you can see it, wipe it with a rag and bung it back in there.

used to be able to cope tith hot oil but now i have girly office hands it burns like a bitch.

i also believe that oil levels should be checked at cold as this allows the oil to settle, and when adding oil you are not heating it up to operating temp before adding it. therefore factors such as heat and the expansion or retraction of oil variables are reduced. dip stick markings in my opinion would indicate the absolute reading at the period where conditions are least subject to variables such as oil in the motor and temp - ie ambient temp after the greatest portion of the oil has dropped to the sump.

my 2c :(

STYLN Collaborator

STYLN

Posted
Posted

i cant believe it had to be asked, but spose better than not asking.

might i also add dean you should check it regularly. I check mine when i wash her usually as habit, along with coolant levels, washer bottle, power steer and glance over brake fluid etc. Its always better to check it before problems develop, coz its usually one of your first signs somethings going wrong.

Other than an automatic transmission and power steer almost every fluid on your car is DESIGNED to be checked cold. The dipstick is not designed to allow for heat expansion as its a poofteenth effect. WHY cold and after sitting for a while? Coz its a true reading as almost all the oil has dropped back to the engines sump.

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