Hi,

Ok, this is gonna make me sound like a complete muppet but hey, everyone is a newbie sometime! (although this is my 2nd Scoob!)

I'm having trouble with getting an accurate reading on my engine oil dipstick. The side with the L and the F reads about a centimeter below the F, but the other side of the dipstick shows the oil level at F.

Is it safer to go by the L and the F side reading and top it up, or is the other side perhaps touching something at the bottom of the dipstick tube as I pull it out?

The car is parked level on the driveway, and I dipped / wiped the dipstick several times, but don't want to overfill it with oil.


Many thanks,

 

click here: https://www.scoobynet.com/general-technical-10/914162-hawkeye-dipstick-oil-level.html#post10343756

 

You've discovered one of the annoying facets of Subaru ownership!
It seems the dipstick tube tends to hold oil and getting an accurate reading on the stick is a real PITA I've resorted pushing a thin tube down the dipstick tube just to clean it before putting the stick back in then out for a reading! It's a common problem.

JohnD

 

Glad it's not just me!

Many thanks for this, and I did notice the wicking on the dipstick too.

 

There terrible cars for checking oil, when u pull the dipstick out it drags oil up and gives a bad reading, i found the best way to check is i take the dipstick out the night before, so the oil runs back down the tube, then put dipstick back in in the morning and check, gets a decent reading.
Jay

 

I never had a problem ..... but then I've owned cars for many decades - just do it 3 times and take the average - sorted!!

As for leaving it out all night, well, could be a bit extreme - but if it works for you ...... reminds me of the **** on here who soaked his oil filter overnight, re-visiting it every 20 minutes through the night to top it up!!!

I kid you not - it really did get that embarrassing on here in the old days - I had some fun

Some people shouldn't really be let out .....

 

Lol its not that bad, open bonnet take dipstick out shut bonnet and check in morning like normal. once a week, perfect reading on it.
Jay

 

 

I've owned many cars since the '60s and both the Imprezas I've owned are by far the worst for getting an accurate oil level reading!

JohnD

 

Pete: you've never had a newage car, so don't really know this problem.
Plus you now drive a hairdresser's car.