Last week I done a full fluids change ... Today I thought I'd check the oil level, so the car not running its showing as 3 quarts full so will top up shortly to full my question is with the can ticking over and I check the oil level I'm not getting a reading on the dipstick.
Now I no the oil obviously will move around the engine with it running but surly I'm must still get a reading.

Is there a general rule like ... Not running = shows full
Running. = shows half full

Or somthing that I can work from.


Cheers

 

Wont get a reading with a running engine due to the oil being thrown off the crank and circulating around the engine, best checking cold on very level ground as even the slightest incline makes a huge difference, take a few dips of it to work out the level as there not the best of cars too tell what its actually reading.
Jay

 

Why do you think its half full?? Its circulating round the engine or do you think it just sits in the sump when running.

Start car then switch off and let sit for a few minutes then check oil

 

What jay said

I know about a week after mine was serviced i checked it when it was cold and on flat ground. It was showing a little low. It literally only needed a couple of tea spoons of oil which showed it over the F.

 

Mine takes around 30 minutes after running to show the real level.
2.5 STi bottom end.

 

If u read my post I quite clearly say that I no the oil moves ! But I just expected there to be some reading.... That obviously isnt the case so I have no need to worry.

 

Thanks to everyone will get the car on more level ground run for a few minutes and top up if required

Sorry if it was such a newbie question, I guess I'd never checked level whilst it was running b4 so was abit supprised with the out come ...

 

The second best tip I got off here is to remove the dipstick and let the oil drain down from the dipstick tube for a few minutes. Then check the level. You will still get a different reading on the front and back of the dipstick , but they will be closer together.

In the 2.5 I reckon about 1l between E and F on the dipstick. That's about £10 / month

 

The dipstick doesn't reach to the bottom of the sump; it'l only show the upper 1 lites of oil...it won't show the other 3.5 litres in there.
This why we so commonly get threads titled "my engine has no oil" from drama queens, when in reality its not showing on the dipstick. Turns out most only need to add a litre of oil. so theres still 3.5 litres in there.

And of course, as mentioned above, check with the engine off; its not a automatic gearbox (they usually need the engine running).

 

Thanks for that - my Hawkeye has very different front and back readings and it's been annoying and bugging me - will try what you said, ta