What do you all do the check the oil ?

I NEVER EVER get the same reading twice when dipping, just done it now and got a different reading every dip, it also reads different on each side of the dip stick !

 

Pull dipstick out an inch, leave it for 20mins or so. Pull dipstick out, wipe, stick back in full and then take out. Take reading on side with markings and from lowest point on the V created on dip stick by oil level.

 

As Gambit says -- except i take mine out completely and leave over-night !!

The thought is, oil is in the access pipe and distorts the readings...

 

So both at cold ?

 

Hot or cold. If cold then you go by the F marking, if warm then the notch above the F

 

Why does it give me a different reading on each side of huge stick ? My old blob was the same

 

Because of the way it enters the sump, it angled in, rather straight in

 

I take dipsitick out and blow down tube ( using a bit of pipe, dont just put mouth over tube! ha )
Gets rid of the oil in tube and gives an accurate reading.

 

Funny as it doesn't say 'blow down the pipe' in my Subaru hand book. I have never had issues reading the level on all 4 of my imprezas.

 

Yeah as gambit says you have to leave the oil in the tube to drop back down as it'll mess up the readings especially if you put it in and out a couple of times.

 

It doesnt say pull dip stick out and leave over night in mine ,ha, blowing down it is a quicker method .

 

I don't leave it over night about 30 seconds or so then as above the lower part of the v in the oil.

 

Here you go - left over night with dip stick out this is after one dip

See how it reads different on each side

 

Anyone

 

Night time bump ! Oooo errr misses

 

For the record one side reads full the other is up to the hot mark eve though it was stone cold

 

You only take the reading from the side with the markings not the back

 

Don't the both have markings ? And forgive me for the most basic of question, how do you know what way round !

 

You put the stick in with the picture of the oil container the right way up as the look at it pull it out twist it to the right I think. Iirc only one side has f and l printed?

 

This could be the info I'm after !

 

Blowing down tubes, and leaving dipstick out overnight - my god, what is the world coming too

Reminds me of the legendary oil change procedure that did the rounds on here many years ago

 

You don't have to do
You don't have to do both just one or the other :-)

 

If you leave it out overnight there's the risk of contaminants entering the sump, either directly or via the exposed dipstick.

I use a specially tailored bung to cover the access pipe and place the dipstick in the microwave (after wiping it clean of course) for about 2 minutes to completely decontaminate it.

One word of caution - ensure that it's cooled down (usually by it returning to its original dark colour) before taking the reading.

 

Really the dipstick is unreliable, the only safe way is to remove the sump once a week to check the level.
Alternatively fill the engine to the top of the filler neck, easy to see when its gone down.

 

Is there some sort of 'Plimsoll Mark' on the sump then?

 

You've got to be having a laugh.

It a Subaru at the end of the day, not a fecking F1 car

 

I drive to somewhere flat. open the bonnet. By the time i have gone to the boot to get my oil bottle and rag the oil will have drained back down. Pull out dip stick and wipe clean. Push dip stick back all the way in and pull out. Check the front of the dip stick and check level is upto the F line. I normally give it 2 or 3 dips to make sure.
It's not rocket science !

 

[quote=chopperman;11215678]I drive to somewhere flat. open the bonnet. By the time i have gone to the boot to get my oil bottle and rag the oil will have drained back down. Pull out dip stick and wipe clean. Push dip stick back all the way in and pull out. Check the front of the dip stick and check level is upto the F line. I normally give it 2 or 3 dips to make sure.
It's not rocket science !/quote]

Granted.
But I have to admit it's sensible.

 

I have noticed the level varies massively depending on the ground level, even the slightest slope has a huge effect.

 

One thing you can do if its a pain finding somewhere that's flat or the place you go is a bit of a drive. Go to the flat place and top up to the F level. When you get home to your normal parking spot dip and see where the level is. Remember this level or put a mark on your dip stick for next time.