Hawkeye D

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,

ALi-B

iTrader: (1)

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

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

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

Hawkeye D

Glad it's not just me!

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

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

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

pslewis

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 .....

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

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

Hawkeye D

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

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

alcazar

iTrader: (2)

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