How hard can it be to read a dip stick?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 148
How hard can it be to read a dip stick?
The dip stick on my '03 SE is virtually impossible to read. If I pull the stick after running there is oil all up and down the stick--can't get a reading. I tried checking it first thing in the morning and it was no better. Oil seems to get up into the dipstick tube and corrupts the reading. Strange thing is that the front side and abck side of the dipstick are not consistent. I wonder if I have a bent dip stick? Any one encounter this? Is there a trick to it? Never had this problm with any other car.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 148
It doesn't seem to matter how many wipe/pull cycles I try--same result. oil up and down the stick with gaps and dry spots. Frontside looks different than back, etc. I was trying to monitor the oil level so I could see if the max was using any oil during the break-in period. Seems that maybe the 4x4 Civic I had a 100 years ago did the same thing.
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 43
Originally posted by jay beede
Have you tried checking in the morning? I tried this and believe it or not... no better. I even tried laving the stick out all night to drain the dipstick tube. Still no better.
Have you tried checking in the morning? I tried this and believe it or not... no better. I even tried laving the stick out all night to drain the dipstick tube. Still no better.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 102
It's a PITA to read... who the hell designed a dip stick with curves and stuff on it anyway?
Pull it, wipe it and then don't stick it back in for a few minutes... let all the oil drop back down, then try to get a reading.
Pull it, wipe it and then don't stick it back in for a few minutes... let all the oil drop back down, then try to get a reading.
Originally posted by HitManSE
Just wait 1-2 min and you will be able to read it. They are all like this and I belive the car takes 4.75 quarts so I dont even use my dipstick to be honest.
Just wait 1-2 min and you will be able to read it. They are all like this and I belive the car takes 4.75 quarts so I dont even use my dipstick to be honest.
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 43
Originally posted by wildmanal
4 3/4 quarts is way to much. Trucks and big engines take 5, but not our max. I usually add a little over 4 and it's almost too full. I drive a 2002.
4 3/4 quarts is way to much. Trucks and big engines take 5, but not our max. I usually add a little over 4 and it's almost too full. I drive a 2002.
Drain & refill -
with oil filter - 4 1/4 qt
without oil filter - 3 7/8 qt
Dry engine (overhaul) - 5 1/4 qt
Same numbers for the '02.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 148
You know, the maxima dipstick has the appearance of yet another object that Datsun put into production without actually testing or trying in the real world.
Have you noticed how the passenger map light shines right on the lower 1/2 of the gauges? In my other cars the driver can barely tell whether the passenger has their map light on or off. Did the maxima engineers ever drive this thing at night before they started high volume production?
Have you noticed how the passenger map light shines right on the lower 1/2 of the gauges? In my other cars the driver can barely tell whether the passenger has their map light on or off. Did the maxima engineers ever drive this thing at night before they started high volume production?
Originally posted by jay beede
You know, the maxima dipstick has the appearance of yet another object that Datsun put into production without actually testing or trying in the real world.
Have you noticed how the passenger map light shines right on the lower 1/2 of the gauges? In my other cars the driver can barely tell whether the passenger has their map light on or off. Did the maxima engineers ever drive this thing at night before they started high volume production?
You know, the maxima dipstick has the appearance of yet another object that Datsun put into production without actually testing or trying in the real world.
Have you noticed how the passenger map light shines right on the lower 1/2 of the gauges? In my other cars the driver can barely tell whether the passenger has their map light on or off. Did the maxima engineers ever drive this thing at night before they started high volume production?
Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 89
I have always had to turn it around to read the back. Just be worried if after you pull it, you don't see any oil! 
BTW Before putting in oil, I remove the dipstick because the oil flows down over it making even more difficult to get an accurate read.
BTW Before putting in oil, I remove the dipstick because the oil flows down over it making even more difficult to get an accurate read.
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 43
Originally posted by maximo-SE
4.25 quarts... sh*T, my stupid a$$ friend said 5 quarts.... im going to kick his honda a$$. Well.. atleast I use Mobil 1. thanks for the info OBIWAN. payce
4.25 quarts... sh*T, my stupid a$$ friend said 5 quarts.... im going to kick his honda a$$. Well.. atleast I use Mobil 1. thanks for the info OBIWAN. payce
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 458
same here, dip stick sucks.
Have you read the warning label under the hood about NOT adding oil with the dipstick pulled out? The label says oil will come out of that hole if the dipstick is out when you add oil. They obviously have an oil return running down or near the dipstick hole.
When I change the oil, I have to wait for it to clear to make sure I'm in range. I end up walking away for 20 minutes to let it clear, and if I have to add more, add another 20 minutes. That dipstick is as useful as ***** on a bull
Have you read the warning label under the hood about NOT adding oil with the dipstick pulled out? The label says oil will come out of that hole if the dipstick is out when you add oil. They obviously have an oil return running down or near the dipstick hole.
When I change the oil, I have to wait for it to clear to make sure I'm in range. I end up walking away for 20 minutes to let it clear, and if I have to add more, add another 20 minutes. That dipstick is as useful as ***** on a bull
I have the same problem with my 03'. I have come up with a routine that works(for me n e way). When i return home from driving i wait about 10-15 mins to let the oil drain back into the pan...This way the oil is warm and thinner and u will get a better reading...after it drains into the pan, wipe the dipstick and then try and get a reading. This usually works perfect for me. Try it...its worth a shot.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 219
I've done a lot of oil changes on a lot of different cars and I agree, my maxima is the biggest PITA to read. I've changed the oil twice so far, overfilled it twice and had to drain some out. Oh well, practice makes perfect.
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Originally posted by itdood
same here, dip stick sucks.
Have you read the warning label under the hood about NOT adding oil with the dipstick pulled out? The label says oil will come out of that hole if the dipstick is out when you add oil. They obviously have an oil return running down or near the dipstick hole.
When I change the oil, I have to wait for it to clear to make sure I'm in range. I end up walking away for 20 minutes to let it clear, and if I have to add more, add another 20 minutes. That dipstick is as useful as ***** on a bull
same here, dip stick sucks.
Have you read the warning label under the hood about NOT adding oil with the dipstick pulled out? The label says oil will come out of that hole if the dipstick is out when you add oil. They obviously have an oil return running down or near the dipstick hole.
When I change the oil, I have to wait for it to clear to make sure I'm in range. I end up walking away for 20 minutes to let it clear, and if I have to add more, add another 20 minutes. That dipstick is as useful as ***** on a bull
Actually I've noticed this with my Maxima as well ('03 model). It's funny that someone finally posted something on it. I just shrugged it off...
And it doesn't matter when I check it, there's always oil all over the damn thing.
And it doesn't matter when I check it, there's always oil all over the damn thing.
Mine's driving me nuts too! I have a 2000 model, and the dipstick always reads between the 2nd and 3rd curved "kink" in the dipstick (WAY WAY WAY above the "H" in the crosshatch)... I'm worried my engine's grossly overfilled (doing an oil change this weekend though, using Mobil 1 5W-30), or if not then the dipstick just sucks!
I'm gonna have to try the idea of removing the dipstick and letting it sit a little while...
I'm gonna have to try the idea of removing the dipstick and letting it sit a little while...
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 186
Originally posted by wildmanal
4 3/4 quarts is way to much. Trucks and big engines take 5, but not our max. I usually add a little over 4 and it's almost too full. I drive a 2002.
4 3/4 quarts is way to much. Trucks and big engines take 5, but not our max. I usually add a little over 4 and it's almost too full. I drive a 2002.
Werd. Just did my first oil change (4.5qts Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30, STP S6941 oversized filter). I am SO happy that these cars are easy to do oil changes on--only problem was getting her up on ramps, but I have problems with every car I drive up on ramps. (have to do it in the dirt driveway, driving it up ramps on an already uphill incline). I plan on changing it again at 35000 miles (at 29600 right now)
I don't believe it was overfilled very much; about 5 qts came out of the oil pan + oil filter combined. So my dipstick's crosshatch pattern is utterly useless, as the dipstick registered (with a flat oil line across the stick) somewhere between the 1st and 2nd curl in the stick, almost exactly where it was before the oil change. Hopefully I'll know when to add a quart...
I don't believe it was overfilled very much; about 5 qts came out of the oil pan + oil filter combined. So my dipstick's crosshatch pattern is utterly useless, as the dipstick registered (with a flat oil line across the stick) somewhere between the 1st and 2nd curl in the stick, almost exactly where it was before the oil change. Hopefully I'll know when to add a quart...
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 9
From: Nashville, TN
I work at valvoline and i have that problem alot with alot of nissans in general mainly the maxi's and 350z and the G series infinitit's
but the 5th gen holds 4.2Qs and the 5.5 gen holds 4.4Qs
but the 5th gen holds 4.2Qs and the 5.5 gen holds 4.4Qs