So I googled to look at this and apparently it seems to be an issue with everyone but I thought id ask here as well. So I want to check my oil level. I read most people check it after parking it overnight to get a reading, which doesn't make much sense since youre supposed to do it with the engine warmed up a tad bit. Well I did and of course the reading was even below low. Took a quick pic of it

The I warmed up the car and drove around for a bit, came back and let it cool for 10 minutes and tried to get a reading and this happened lol



How are you supposed to get a proper reading on this damn stick?!?!

 

Because the oil dipstick is in an oil return galley (tube) you have to wait a while after shutting off the engine so that the oil can drain out of the top part of the engine.

I don't know what the wait time is as there are no numbers published that I've ever found. But I think that if you wait at least an hour (in the warm seasons) you should be good. Otherwise wait until the morning. I doubt if oil expansion or contraction will be all that critical.

 

ive never worked on a VQ that didnt smear like that. run the engine for 10 seconds, shut it off, check it in maybe 10-15 minutes after