The damn oil level rod. ON so many other cars its such a nice easy to read piece of metal. IT seems on our cars that as you pull the rod out of the engine it always gets oiled on its way out... ARgh... oh well
--- ps. i just added a 1/3qt.. its not just a random vent

 

Instead of dragging the dipstick out on the flat side..try doin it on the thin side so it doesnt brush up against anything...ive never had a problem with it...

 

Damn, I thought I was the only one with that problem. I usually get a better indication of the oil level by looking at the side w/o the markings and then figuring it out from there. I don't know how else to pull out the dipstick unless you mean to turn it 90 degrees when you're removing it. I've done that and it didn't help. This is interesting so if anyone can cliarify.

 

I agree it can be tough to check the level but just make sure your car has been sitting for awhile so that all the oil will have dripped downward towards the pan. It's less of a pain if you check it when the engine is cold.

 

That certainly makes sense and I've done it, but my manual specifically says to do it at proper operating temp. Thanks for the info though. Maybe I should get an oil pressure gauge instead of the idiot light? hehe

 

I respectfully disagree with your manual because my Chilton manual states that the best time to check the engine oil is before operating the engine or after it has been sitting for at least 10 minutes in order to obtain an accurate reading. This will allow for the oil to drain back into the crankcase.

Also another thing to add is when you check the oil do you wipe off the dipstick first and reinsert then check it? That also is the best way to get an accurate reading.

 

I think you're confusing the tranny fluid level check with the oil level check. Oil level checking on any car should be done when the engine is stone cold (or as cold as possible). That way all the oil has drained back into the pan, which is usually at the lowest point in the engine. Otherwise you'll get a falsely low reading.

The tranny fluid, on the other hand, is checked with the engine running and up to normal operating temperature.

 

yeah - i hate when you know the engine needs oil but the little metal rod shows you that you dont need any

 

Always happens to me too. But when I put it back in and do it again it always works.