I recently purchased a 2010 RDX (my first Acura) and when checking the oil level for the first time discovered that there is no "oil full" indicator on the dipstick. So how do I know if my oil is at appropriate levels, or more importantly how do I know when the oil level may be low?

Thanks

 

The '09 dipstick has two small holes. The oil level should be at the second hole from the bottom. (The oil doesn't "stick" very well to the steel used by Acura, so you look to see if the small holes are "filled" with oil.)

I would imagine the '10 is the same.

 

MY08 manual says between those two holes(4.7L). 5.3 to 5.5L if its the top hole with stock oil filter. just found that out when i did my oil change i still followed the manual anyway.

 

agree it's really tough to read the oil dipstick (quite long i would say LOL). at any rate, keep a quart in your compartment and worst comes to worst, low engine oil pressure indicator will light up and you can add more oil... but that's worst case scenario if you're really having a hard time gauging your dipstick (never happened to me and not hoping it would either)

 

can anyone comment on if there is a better quality dipstick replacement for a 2008 RDX. It is flimsy and bends when trying to reinsert it.

 

Hold the stick near the end of the stick, when inserting, with a folded paper towel so that you don't get oil on your fingers. Move up the stick with your fingers as you insert. Push with your fingers, not from the HANDLE end of the stick.

The stick is not flimsy, but flexy, its spring steel and needs to flex easily to follow the long insertion tube. Yes, I have had dipsticks on various cars ruined (bent and broken) by clumsy Quicky-Lube 'techs' who do not understand how to insert a dipstick.

And for the OP, the Owners Manual (OM) has a picture showing how to read the oil level on the dipstick. If you do not have an OM, you can purchase one online from Helms.com as well as a FSM (factory service manual) if desired.

To read the oil level on the stick, I hold the stick inside my garage, and use the overhead light to reflect off the oil to tell the level. That seems to work better than outside in sunlight - too bright.