Oil Dipstick Hard to Read

[mcnuggs]

Anyone find it incredibly difficult to read the engine oil dipstick after a change? I’ve also struggled to get a clean pull that doesn’t have streaking which makes it even harder to get a good read… open to any creative ideas.

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[Joestac]

Definitely a bit rough to read. Luckily 5.9 quarts is pretty easy to get close without having to have a clean pull.

 

[jblack]

If you have put the right amount of oil in and the level is between max and min you should be good
Check it after it has been sitting overnight the level should show on the first pull of the dipstick without any streaking

 

[ShotsFired]

Anyone find it incredibly difficult to read the engine oil dipstick after a change? I’ve also struggled to get a clean pull that doesn’t have streaking which makes it even harder to get a good read… open to any creative ideas.

Yep, I agree 100%. It's a pain in the

 

[MikeD]

Just happened to do an oil change yesterday. Pulled the dip stick before and could easily read that I was just a bit over full <10% of the distance between the pips over so figured that was consistent with the fact that 3k miles ago I put 6 quarts in and spec is 5.9 quarts with filter.
But when I pulled the dip stick this morning to verify that it was at the right level (after being reminded to by this post:>) it was surprisingly hard to read because the new, clean oil was just hard to see. I convinced myself that it was exactly at the full pip mark**. Will check again before and after an off-road trip next weekend.
**I poured in the 6 quart bottles without waiting for them to fully "drain". I figure that over 6 bottles I left behind the specified 0.1 quarts.

 

[Nodak]

just a reminder that the amount of oil between the low and high divots is 1.5 quarts

 

[mcnuggs]

just a reminder that the amount of oil between the low and high divots is 1.5 quarts

Oh interesting… does the 5.9 qts in theory land at the upper divot? If so, would it be best to under fill a bit to avoid going over the 5.9qt limit?

 

[Nodak]

doesnt say in the manual but i am guessing the top divot is 5.9 and the low is 4.5 (the manual states the gap between the divots is 1.5 qts)

its better to be slightly over filled than under filled if you are worried about the lesser of two evils.

highlight is mine (not the manual's)

 

[xraytekca]

I wonder if I can suck the oil from the pan through the dipstick hole with those hand pump oil extractors

 

[4cyl_runner]

I wonder if I can suck the oil from the pan through the dipstick hole with those hand pump oil extractors

You can but you will leave residue at the bottom and those will recirculate with the new oil.

 

[127.0.0.1]

You can but you will leave residue at the bottom and those will recirculate with the new oil.

draining oil normally leaves the same residue, it is not 100% drain

the problem with oil extractors is specific position of the end
of the tube. they often get hung up on the way in, and it's
not easy to tell exactly where it is

 

[a_double]

If you pull the dipstick out 4-5", let it sit retracted for a few minutes, then wipe, dip, check, it helps with the streaking.

It's a quick stab into the oil pool, my theory of course.

 

[127.0.0.1]

If you pull the dipstick out 4-5", let it sit retracted for a few minutes, then wipe, dip, check, it helps with the streaking.

It's a quick stab into the oil pool, my theory of course.

this will make a more definitive line and help
drain the oil that clings along the tube/stick interface

 

[ShotsFired]

Anyone find it incredibly difficult to read the engine oil dipstick after a change? I’ve also struggled to get a clean pull that doesn’t have streaking which makes it even harder to get a good read… open to any creative ideas.

Put the oil in. Start the engine and let it run for one minute. The remaining dirty oil will mix with the new. Let it set for 30 minutes and then check. You will not have a problem reading the level.

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