Checking engine oil

[spout]

Can someone clarify please (it isn't specified in the fact sheets)

Do you check the engine oil level with a hot or cold engine?

I've read a post on this forum that mentioned it should be checked cold, but every other vehicle I've ever had to check was with a hot engine.

Thanks.....

[daveblueozzie]

engine oil cold.
atf fliud hot.
i think

[haydn callow]

COLD!! Level surface

[Trouble at t'Mill]

Engine oil: Cold engine (or at least having sat for a good 30 minutes). Level ground. Remove dipstick, wipe clean, refit and push it all the way 'home', remove, look and sniff!

ATF: Warm engine, still on tickover either in Park (safer) or Drive with handbrake firmly on (supposedly slightly more accurate), repeat process as with engine dipstick.

[spout]

sniff!

[daveblueozzie]

sniff!

DONT TELL ME YOU'VE NEVER SNIFFED YOUR DIPSTICK

[Trouble at t'Mill]

Ok, fair enough...

It's something you'd do to a car you were considering buying - not to one you own (and which obviously has regular oil changes!)

[bigdaddycain]

sniff!

DONT TELL ME YOU'VE NEVER SNIFFED YOUR DIPSTICK

I don't think i could reach...

[Trouble at t'Mill]

[sparkymik]

engine oil cold.
atf fliud hot.
i think

I agree if the engine is hot some of the oil will still be amongst working/moving parts

Sparky

[bigdaddycain]

No need to wipe your dipstick first either...

[Trouble at t'Mill]

Just give it a good shake...

[spout]

COLD!! Level surface

Well that could cause a problem.
My drive is not exactly steep, but it aint flat.
So I’ll have to move it somewhere flat , but that then gives me a warm engine.

I have been giving it some thought (aside from the sniffing) and I don’t think the precise amount of oil in the engine is important – so long as it’s between the lower and upper (probably about a litre?).
It is any CHANGE in level between checking that’s important. For that reason I always check my vehicles in the same situation (ie after a run and then settled for 10 mins).

So all I have to do is find the hot/sloped equivalent to cold/flat.

This weekend I checked the hot/flat to hot/sloped and found no measurable difference (dipstick must be fairly central in the sump). I’ll report back on the hot and cold differences.

I can’t see there being much difference, and it does seem odd to check the level cold – how can you check on a long run? (how did those on the Poland 2008 run manage?)

PS The bandages should be coming off next week, after I poked myself in the eye with the dipstick during a failed sniffing attempt.

[missfixit70]

Any car should be checked cold shouldn't it? you check it before you set off.

[haydn callow]

As you say it's not the end of the world if you check it hot....Just a bit harder to check cos the oil is thinner and harder to see.
COLD...in the morning...just remove dipstick (the engine one) and read the level.
HOT.....anytime....remove dipstick...wipe with rag/paper....replace dipstick...remove again and read.