Help me settle an argument with a friend regarding checking oil

[mdennison]

He says that you can only get accurate readings when the engine is cool. I say it does not matter either way, hot or cold.

Please let me know!

 

[pyonir]

as i remember it, you check it when it is warm. but not right after you shut the car off. but warm.

 

[minendo]

<< as i remember it, you check it when it is warm. but not right after you shut the car off. but warm. >>


That is what I have always been told.

 

[pyonir]

<<

<< as i remember it, you check it when it is warm. but not right after you shut the car off. but warm. >>


That is what I have always been told. >>


minendo, you are a little slow today...everything ok?

 

[mikebb]

Depends on the car. I've had cars that wouldn't give accurate readings except when ice cold, and even the service manual pointed it out (VW is an example.) My Honda now seems to be more tolerant though, and is fairly accurate whether hot or cold. It depends on engine design (ie how many places in the engine oil can get trapped and take longer to back into the pan.)

 

[notfred]

You're told to CHANGE the oil when the car is still somewhat warm. Why, cause the oil flows out of the motor better.

You're also told to not to CHECK the oil right when the engine is turned off. Why? It takes a minute for the oil to flow back down to the oil pan. If you check the oil immediately after stopping the engine, it'll seem low.

If you wait 5 minutes, it doesn't materr how cold it gets, the level of the oil isn't gonig to change noticeably.

 

[GiGoLo]

i'm surprised no one else has mentioned this... i've had 2 cars (subaru legacy and acura legend... legend is for sale btw legend )... neways, my dipstick has 2 meters on it... one for a cold reading, and one for a hot/warm reading. but i believe you are correct... if you ever watch the mechanics do an oil change, after they refill the oil, the don't check the dipstick until after the engine's been running for a few minutes

 

[minendo]

<<

<<

<< as i remember it, you check it when it is warm. but not right after you shut the car off. but warm. >>


That is what I have always been told. >>


minendo, you are a little slow today...everything ok? >>


Attempting to get homework done and post at the same time. It really does not work though.

 

[Polgara]

When you check the oil, what you are checking is the amount of oil in the oil pan. Right after you cut a car off (it's hot) there is a good bit of oil up in the engine that will drain down to the oil pan. If you check the oil while the engine is running, or right after cutting it off your reading will be low.

Check it cold.

Sarah <== Daddy taught her all about cars

 

[Antisocial Virge]

<< if you ever watch the mechanics do an oil change, after they refill the oil, the don't check the dipstick until after the engine's been running for a few minutes >>



That has nothing to do with the engine temperature. They do that because the oil filter is empty right after a change and they need to circulate the oil to fill it up.

 

[Texmaster]

<< When you check the oil, what you are checking is the amount of oil in the oil pan. Right after you cut a car off (it's hot) there is a good bit of oil up in the engine that will drain down to the oil pan. If you check the oil while the engine is running, or right after cutting it off your reading will be low.

Check it cold.

Sarah <== Daddy taught her all about cars >>



Thanks for the info Sarah

My car is due.

 

[Mikelh]

My Honda engines do not use oil between changes so when I check it warm, if it's a tad bit under the mark, I know it's full.

Michael

 

[Evadman]

Minendo was probably stabbed by that spork guy from last night

 

[Lvis]

The owners manual of my car says to check it when warm.....some of you would probably be surprised to find the same thing in yours.