I agree totally. In days past, gas stations were called Service Stations, and the attendant in his Mobil or whatever uniform would be at your car window as soon as you came to a stop. They ALWAYS offered to "check your oil". This was frequently a scam as there's a half quart still in the engine block not yet dripped back into the pan. The attendant would show you the stick and explain that you needed oil. And then the show would begin. The owner sat in the car unable to see that nothing at all was being added....except to the bill.

 

Exactly. I once had the car checked when cold and it showed that it was low by 400ml or so. I backed it our of the garage and added the oil. After letting the car sit for a while (2 minutes) I checked the dipstick and it came up DRY.

20-30 minutes later I checked and the level was on "F".

So I always check (and add oil) when the car is cold now.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rworne
Exactly.

 

One factor to consider is that the oil swells when hot, so letting it drip down too long when it is hot and then checking can give you a false reading (high).

Yet, the only car I have ever owned that has two index points on the engine oil is this high performance engine: Subaru 2.5L.
Go figure.

So when checking hot, do it at about 5 minutes, or approximately at the end of a fuel fillup and payment.

Everyone knows that auto tranny fluid has two index points for checking level - "cool" and "warm/hot". The reason must be that in many cases, the level can only be properly checked when the car is running, whereas you cannot accurately check engine oil level when it is running.

 

Advice that never gets old.

 

I've had MGAs most of my life, so routinely checking the oil is standard procedure.... although it was unexpected with a new Japanese car! I found my car using one quart every 1,700 miles and this continued until I hit about 10,000 miles on the car, when it started to tapper off.

Tip: I check my oil after every fill up of the gas tank; however, I do not do it at the station, nor do I do it when the engine is warm unless I'm traveling. I made up a card reminding me to check the oil and I keep it in the small storage area behind the radio door. When I drive into the garage after getting gas, I reach in and pull out the card and place it by the shifter. The following day when I jump in, I'm reminded. That's when I check it - in a level garage with good lighting and when the oil cooled down and settled to give an accurate reading.

Tip: If you've allowed the oil to drop lower than one quart I would recommend getting a complete oil change as soon as possible. Driving with 40% of the oil gone can do serious damage quickly to the remaining 60%. Get it out ASAP.

Tip: When checking be sure you fully insert the dip stick back into the block. There have been numerous reports of people failing to do so and the dip stick popping up and spreading oil throughout the engine compartment.

Tip: When reading the dip stick read both sides, and go by the lowest reading.

Tip: If adding oil be sure the cap is retightened fully, as again there have been numerous reports of the caps vibrating off and large amounts of lost oil resulting.

Finally, there is Variation in Engines: Some S2000 engines will consume more oil than others depending on the tolerances inside the engine. Don't worry about it, just get in the habit of routinely checking.

 

dlq, all i do to remind myself to check the oil (the next morning) is just to pop the hood the night before. that will definately make you remember.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dlq04
Tip: If you've allowed the oil to drop lower than one quart I would recommend getting a complete oil change as soon as possible.

 

Bad math, good advice.

 

You should check the oil every time you fill up -- it's one of the cheapest engine protection investments you can make