Oil Dipstick giving weird readings

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:17 am

NB dipsticks suck.

The only time I have any confidence is when I do an oil change and KNOW how much oil I put into the car.

Roadrunner · Postby **Roadrunner** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:23 am

Read it 5 times and get 5 different readings, yep that's the NB dipstick

It's from oil dribbling/smeared on the curved part of the tube when you first pull the dipstick out. I try to get it to go back in without twisting halfway down the tube and seem to get somewhat consistent results. But one side of the stick will read lower than the other :lol:

I just do a few measures and take an average :oops:

RS2000 · Postby **RS2000** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:34 am

Roadrunner wrote:But one side of the stick will read lower than the other

I'm glad I'm not the only one - 6mm difference one side to the other on an almost vertical dipstick ???

Postby **NitroDann** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:37 am

It doesnt matter, if there is oil on the dipstick from the pan, a consistent coating, anywhere on it whether reading high or low, its going to be fine for normal street use. People racing the car know how much is in because they filled it themselves.

Dann

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:47 am

I've never had trouble reading it.

Only time I've had oil up the tube cause a weird reading is if I've had the stick in and out without wiping it.

Otherwise, pull it out, wipe it off, put it back pull out and read.

BlackR · Postby **BlackR** » Sun Sep 25, 2016 10:05 am

hks_kansei wrote:I've never had trouble reading it.

Only time I've had oil up the tube cause a weird reading is if I've had the stick in and out without wiping it.

Otherwise, pull it out, wipe it off, put it back pull out and read.

+1

Aiming Faster · Postby **Aiming Faster** » Mon Sep 26, 2016 12:08 am

I also take multiple readings, looking for the dry part, reading the oil level below. The true reading is the lowest oil level below a dry spot, either side. I also find it better to dry properly between dipping. Lowest of 5?