Checking oil: Hot or Cold

[nfpgasmask]

OK, dumb question: When is the BEST time to check your oil? When the VX is cold (first thing in the morning) or when the VX is hot (after a drive)?

I'm just curious because I notice when my VX is cold, the oil will be lower on the dipstick. I want to make sure I am not over/under filling (which seems to happen almost as much as I get gas).

Bart

[tom4bren]

I always check it cold. Reason: consistency. The vehicle should sit for a while to allow all of the oil that was circulated through the engine to settle back into the pan. (I know ... not all of the oil goes back into the pan but the majority does). This should give you the most consistent reading.

[WILLY]

I have been told to run the engin till warm and cut it off,wait 5 minutes then check.

[etlsport]

i always check at the gas station.. i wait until im finished fillin her up so its been sitting for 3-4 minutes.. i notice a big difference between when i check as i pull in and after refueling

slightly off topic..


i was thinking about this the other day.. i wonder how much oil i lose just from checking the oil every 250-300 miles because i always pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and check it again.. and usually just out of habit wipe it clean again

[tom4bren]

"i wonder how much oil i lose just from checking the oil every 250-300 miles because i always pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and check it again"

Prolly only a table spoon or 2 between oil changes. Try wiping with your fingers sometime. Not as much on the stick as you might think (only 1-2 drops).

[nfpgasmask]

Yeah, checking cold in the morning today, there was barely any oil on the stick. :mad:

I added a half quart or so.

Bart

[Chopper]

Cold in the AM and warm (after sitting 10 mins. or so) Shouldn't be that much different.

[WILLY]

Yeah, checking cold in the morning today, there was barely any oil on the stick. :mad:

I added a half quart or so.

Bart

U only added a half a quart when there was barely any on the stick.:eek:

[nfpgasmask]

U only added a half a quart when there was barely any on the stick.:eek:

Well, after adding half a quart, it went back up to the fill line on the stick....

Bart

[CrnCnn]

Weird I would think you have more in the mornings cause all the oil has settled in the pan. I also normally check mine at the gas station, unless the VX has been sitting for a few days.

[nfpgasmask]

Weird I would think you have more in the mornings cause all the oil has settled in the pan. I also normally check mine at the gas station, unless the VX has been sitting for a few days.

Well, I think after a drive, more oil is sloshing around in there so more appears on the dip stick? I really don't know. All I know, is I don't like it.

Bart

[ZEUS]

I slightly over-filled mine one time. The crazy thing was I noticed much less oil consumption, it didn't go below the 'max' line until just before the next oil change. So I figure I lost about 1/2 quart after 3000 miles. I kicked it around for a while that maybe I would always over-fill but wasn't sure what that would do to the motor. Any ideas?

[etlsport]

buddy of mine overfilled his jeep by a quart.. less than 500 miles later he had oil blowing all over the engine that caught on fire

[nfpgasmask]

I slightly over-filled mine one time. The crazy thing was I noticed much less oil consumption, it didn't go below the 'max' line until just before the next oil change. So I figure I lost about 1/2 quart after 3000 miles. I kicked it around for a while that maybe I would always over-fill but wasn't sure what that would do to the motor. Any ideas?

Hmmm, I've done that before as well. And after a good drive, the oil is still above the fill line, but eventually, it always drops for me. My oil consumption levels are definitely a result of how I drive. Back and forth to work I get "normal VX oil consumption" but when I go over the mountains with lots of hard, uphill highway driving, its a lot worse.

I just can't imagine with all the mechanics and tech heads out there, that someone hasn't found the EXACT cause of this. I mean, it must be a defect, that would be the only thing that explains why it hasn't been fixed....

Bart

[ZEUS]

I just can't imagine with all the mechanics and tech heads out there, that someone hasn't found the EXACT cause of this. I mean, it must be a defect, that would be the only thing that explains why it hasn't been fixed....

BartOr it's all a myth... Hi Joe! j/k

[rowhard]

Okay Bart, this is the way I was taught and by god, it's even in the workshop manual, page 19. "The best time to check the engine oil level is when it is warm. After stopping the engine with the vehicle on a level surface, wait a few minutes to let the oil drain back into the oil pan." There are a few other things like keep the tip down and stuff. Hope that answers your question.:)

[Chopper]

;)
Or it's all a myth... Hi Joe! j/k

[nfpgasmask]

Okay Bart, this is the way I was taught and by god, it's even in the workshop manual, page 19. "The best time to check the engine oil level is when it is warm. After stopping the engine with the vehicle on a level surface, wait a few minutes to let the oil drain back into the oil pan." There are a few other things like keep the tip down and stuff. Hope that answers your question.:)

Thanks. What does "keep the tip down" mean? The tip of the dipstick?

Bart

[rowhard]

Yes, that way you won't get a false reading, the oil flowing over the mark on the stick.

[jgalt]

Yeah, the manual says to do it warm, which is what I've always done (after fill-up and 5-6 minutes of "settle-time"). Whatever you do, though, I think it's best to be consistent.

The only problem with checking while "cold" is that the oil will be somewhat condensed and you could overfill, but that's not necessarily a killer ...

Just be consistent.

[SuperDave]

I slightly over-filled mine one time. The crazy thing was I noticed much less oil consumption, it didn't go below the 'max' line until just before the next oil change. So I figure I lost about 1/2 quart after 3000 miles. I kicked it around for a while that maybe I would always over-fill but wasn't sure what that would do to the motor. Any ideas?


Once I too slightly overfilled my VX with no problem. Apparently our seals don't blow as easily as those of my last car (Pulsar SE, 1987). I'm still too scared to make a habit of it. It's ironic that VX survival depends on dipstick technology. I wouldn't want to rely on electronic or mechanical sensors.