Checking oil

dklkse · Post by **dklkse** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 3:58 pm

OK, I know this sounds like a totally idiotic newb-ish question, but recently one aspect of my perception of checking oil has been put into question...

I have been under the influence that the best time to check the oil level is when the engine is at operating temp., but when it has been off for a few minutes, so that the oil has a chance to settle/collect.
Today, I saw a coworker check his oil before he started his car for lunch (so it had been off for several hours...). He said he had always heard to check oil when the engine is cool.

So out of curiosity, I googled some info, and I got evenly mixed results...

What have you guys heard? Or does anyone have a definite answer?

*Sorry if this has been discussed before, but I tried a few forum searches and got nothing to this effect.*

G4M3JUNKY · Post by **G4M3JUNKY** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:02 pm

when the engine is warmed up

Post by **jomotopia** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:07 pm

i check mine when the engine is stone cold, after it's been sitting in the garage all night. here are my reasons why:

1> my dip stick has 3 marks on it: Low, Full, and a notch that represents full when hot.
2> oil expands when it is hot - it could read at the Full mark when hot but show low when cold.
3> every time i have checked it when it was hot it was well above the Full mark, i would check it again cold and it would be at Full or even a little low.
4> you're assured that all the oil has drained back into the pan to give an accurate reading.

ra64t · Post by **ra64t** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:15 pm

cold. the reading will not be accurate otherwise

papyrus · Post by **papyrus** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:20 pm

I've always heard warm never considered cold. I'm interested to see what others have to say.

nuclear-toy · Post by **nuclear-toy** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:23 pm

I too have always been told to check the oil when the engine is cold. Hey that method has yet to let me down!

JackBauer · Post by **JackBauer** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:23 pm

I wait till the engine is stone cold, like in the mornings or something. i idle the engine for 1-2 minutes. wait a minute, then take my measurment.

Post by **jomotopia** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:49 pm

JackBauer wrote:I wait till the engine is stone cold, like in the mornings or something. i idle the engine for 1-2 minutes. wait a minute, then take my measurment.

why the 1-2 minute idle?

JackBauer · Post by **JackBauer** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:55 pm

LOl- i don't; my cousin was on the computer and he asked me"hey how do you check your oil, you start it up for a minute then let it sit for a few then check it right?" i wasn't in the mood for talking so i said 'yea huh'

mtheis · Post by **mtheis** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:17 pm

I get my engine to operating temp, shut it off and wait 10 mins, then check it.

ptcroozer · Post by **ptcroozer** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:26 pm

JackBauer wrote:LOl- i don't; my cousin was on the computer and he asked me"hey how do you check your oil, you start it up for a minute then let it sit for a few then check it right?" i wasn't in the mood for talking so i said 'yea huh'

does your cousin always post using your screen name?

Prodigal Son · Post by **Prodigal Son** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:29 pm

I don't think I've checked my oil in 20 years. Seems like a pretty low risk that a well maintained modern car would be leaking oil, and the engine computer is going to pick it up pretty quickly if something goes wrong.

I remember a time when there was an oil patch on every driveway and in every stall in a parking lot. You don't see that these days.

Young Twig · Post by **Young Twig** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:56 pm

JackBauer wrote:LOl- i don't; my cousin was on the computer and he asked me"hey how do you check your oil, you start it up for a minute then let it sit for a few then check it right?" i wasn't in the mood for talking so i said 'yea huh'

Hahahahaha...

ra64t · Post by **ra64t** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:34 pm

Prodigal Son wrote:I don't think I've checked my oil in 20 years. Seems like a pretty low risk that a well maintained modern car would be leaking oil, and the engine computer is going to pick it up pretty quickly if something goes wrong.

I remember a time when there was an oil patch on every driveway and in every stall in a parking lot. You don't see that these days.

Seems like a bad idea. Many older cars leak oil, even those well maintained and running well, rubber gaskets wear out. I still see oil patchs all over the place.

Additionally, your car could be burning a small amount of oil, especially if you drive hard. Might not be enough to notice but over 5000 miles you could be down a quart.

Post by **jomotopia** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 11:45 pm

Prodigal Son wrote:I don't think I've checked my oil in 20 years. Seems like a pretty low risk that a well maintained modern car would be leaking oil, and the engine computer is going to pick it up pretty quickly if something goes wrong.

I remember a time when there was an oil patch on every driveway and in every stall in a parking lot. You don't see that these days.

probably depends most on what car you drive. i checked the oil regularly in my corolla for the first couple of intervals and it never went down a drop, so i never checked again in 5 years. but turbo cars can tend to burn oil and older cars can leak or burn it. also the type of oil can play a role.

with your car and what i can gather of your driving style, you probably don't need to check your oil. my car and my driving.... i check it weekly, just to be sure.