When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Never do it when the engine is warm! The oil level is best done cold, preferably when its been left over night. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean, pop it back in and remove after a few seconds. The oil level will be seen as a constant line on the dipstick. The correct level is between the bottom hole and the top hole, the notch is used when the oil is hot and not an accurate way of checking. Keep the level just below the Max mark and never overfill. Just top up slowly and keep checking.