zeroptzero

The recommended way is to read the dipstick with the oil hot, 5 minutes after engine shut down. Remove dipstick ,wipe it off, rreinsert it, pull it out again and read both sides. Use the lowest reading as the accurate reading, one side will be higher than the other. If you just pull out the dipstick without cleaning and reinserting it the error reading will be even worse. You can read the oil cold if you like, but be consistent with it as the readings will be different between cold and hot, don't read it cold one week and then read it hot the next week as there will be differences. Check your oil often , every time you fill up for gas is a good rule of thumb. Going one quart low is enough to do some damage on an ap1.

s2pat

got it, will do, thanks for the tip

2003AP1

Oil hot? I believe cold will be more accurate.

SpitfireS

Q - OMG, all my oil is gone.. where did it go?
A - Maybe it wasn't there to begin with...?
R - Yeah.. that's it, Thanks.

xviper

Have you read the owner's manual at all? That's the way Honda recommends checking the oil. A cold oil check may be easier, quicker and more consistent, but you must first correlate between hot and cold level indications as the two may not always be the same. Once you know what the oil looks like on the dipstick during a "hot" check, this can be compared to what it looks like during a "cold" check. Most people check their oil where the car is usually parked first thing in the morning before the first start of the day. However, the oil must first be done on a totally level surface the "hot" check way and this is usually at the gas station during a fill up. Then compare this to what it looks like where it's usually parked overnight. This will now be whatever it is given the angle at which the car is normally parked. For example, if a hot check shows the level at "full" and a cold check "at home" the very next day shows the level is 2 "X's" down, then 2 "X's" down is actually full because the car is not parked on the level. Ideally, if the hot and cold checks are both done (properly) on level ground, the variation shouldn't be more than an "X", the cold check showing the higher reading.
The worst time to check the oil is cool or warm, right after the engine's been running, like what you'd do immediately after an oil change. Oil that hasn't reached operating temp will not fall back down into the crankcase very efficiently and you'll get a low reading. Topping up then is more likely to produce an overfill.

xviper

Gotta love it! In the old days, I would have been far more sarcastic and abrasive. These days, I just laugh in silence.

2003AP1

Have you read the owner's manual at all? That's the way Honda recommends checking the oil. A cold oil check may be easier, quicker and more consistent, but you must first correlate between hot and cold level indications as the two may not always be the same. Once you know what the oil looks like on the dipstick during a "hot" check, this can be compared to what it looks like during a "cold" check. Most people check their oil where the car is usually parked first thing in the morning before the first start of the day. However, the oil must first be done on a totally level surface the "hot" check way and this is usually at the gas station during a fill up. Then compare this to what it looks like where it's usually parked overnight. This will now be whatever it is given the angle at which the car is normally parked. For example, if a hot check shows the level at "full" and a cold check "at home" the very next day shows the level is 2 "X's" down, then 2 "X's" down is actually full because the car is not parked on the level. Ideally, if the hot and cold checks are both done (properly) on level ground, the variation shouldn't be more than an "X", the cold check showing the higher reading.
The worst time to check the oil is cool or warm, right after the engine's been running, like what you'd do immediately after an oil change. Oil that hasn't reached operating temp will not fall back down into the crankcase very efficiently and you'll get a low reading. Topping up then is more likely to produce an overfill.
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Where in the manual does it state that it is more accurate when it is hot? I can not find it.

What you say seems contradicting. However its best to check cold. Once all the oil is at the bottom of the pan gives you the most accurate reading.

Seperate from that you should check it every gas fill up even if it is hot. However this is not as accurate as a cold check it is reccomended you check it.

Hope that clears it up.

lltysonll

Are you questioning xviper? Just sit back and learn. As far as checking oil levels I do so as xviper suggest it to be done.

zeroptzero

well the main thing is to check your oil often and use a consistent method - cold or hot for accuracy. There will be a difference between hot readings and dead cold readings on the dipstick, you cant really go wrong either way as long as you are consistent.

takeshi

^ This. How much did you put in? Capacities, including oil (with and without filter change) are in the manual.