Why is it so difficult? Mine is VERY likely to show no oil if it's on even a slight slope. If the engine has been started, no oil shows even half an hour after stopping it. But check it cold and it's OK

 

I noticed that on my previous 2.5 but never had any issues. Check it when the car is parked up staight & it should read normal.

 

sometimes i wish they had an electronic guage telling me the level. like my clio does lol

 

i have suffered from this too, before a log jourent i checked the level and was alarmed to see it reading no oil!! filled it up and after the journey it was miles over the full mark.

 

See, this is what worries me.
If I fill it because it reads empty, and end up with too MUCH in, I can do damage.

Or do I risk running with it too low and do damage?

 

Go to a flat surface & check your oil from cold.

 

Hi,

I get the same thing with mine.

When it's in the garage in the morning it will read fine. But on my slightly sloped drive in the morning or after being started shows low or none. Best thing to do if you have a garage or flat place to park leave it there overnight and check it in the morning before starting. I check mine at least once a week maybe twice just to make sure.

 

Hi,

I get the same thing with mine.

When it's in the garage in the morning it will read fine. But on my slightly sloped drive in the morning or after being started shows low or none. Best thing to do if you have a garage or flat place to park leave it there overnight and check it in the morning before starting. I check mine at least once a week maybe twice just to make sure.

 

After engine is warm, remove dipstick - have a cup of tea - and then put (wiped) dipstick in and then remove and measure.
Obviously do this on a flat surface.
The upper and lower mark are one litres worth of oil.
Hope this helps.

 

They are a nightmare we all agree. Especialy with an oil cooler and return to sump catch can fitted.

The only sure fire way is to check it when the car on a flat surface when it is stone cold first thing in the morning.

 

My main problem is that presumably the dipstick pulls oil up the inside of the tube as you extract it, the 'clean' dipstick then picks that up as it goes back in. I usually find a different reading on each side of the dipstick

If the engine is cold, and the car's on the flat, then presumably a clean bit of dipstick below the min mark means that a top up is required?

 

Mine also gives a different reading on each side of the dipstick.

 

Mine too, even if I twist the dipstick

 

I normally use the lowest mark, but only add a little bit if its on zero, rather have a little bit too much then a giant seized paper weight!

 

I've read this somewhere on SN!!
The EJ25 gives the more accurate oil reading on the back of the dip-stick.

Check it directly after an oil change, to give you an idea for future checks!