I've been checking my oil with the dipstick and noticed something I have not seen on other cars I have owned. There seems to be two levels on the dipstick. I thicker bead of oil (amber colored) further down and a thin film of oil with goes higher on the stick. Which represents the true oil level?

Confused in No. VA.

 

How are you reading the stick? Are you holding it vertically or horizontally? If you hold it vertically to check then some of the oil drips/separates to a lower level and gives the illusion of two levels.

As soon as I pull the stick out I put it horizontal. I've also noticed that it's somewhat hard to see the oil level (esp if you're using 5W-20), so I read it against a white cloth that I have in the garage. I've been thinking of etching the end of the stick with a dremel so I could see the level easier.

I've been concerned about my oil level since I had an issue with consumption in the first few months of ownership (which has since stopped). I've noticed that this car is a bit tempermental about the level -- if your not on a really flat surface the level will be off. If the car hasn't cooled down for a while, the level will be off (the level is different 10 minutes after shutting down then 10 hours after shutting down).

 

From my understanding the oil lever should be between the 2 lines, preferrably more towrds the one farthest away from the tip of the dipstick.....

Joe are you trying to say that there is water mixed in with your oil?

Smitty

 

No what he is saying is that there is a thicker visible layer (darker in color) distinguishable from a thinner visible layer (lighter in color) which should sit above the thichker layer.

the way I look at it, the more viscous the oil is, the more lubrication/protection your engine will receive and thats the darker amber color.

But the lighter layer could just be a "normal" characteristic of 5w-30 or 20, for fuel efficiency and faster startups to normal operating temp.?

 

I set the stick level as soon as i get it out. I realize its a bit hard to see (5-20W is lighter than i have ever used). But there are definately two levels.. Anyone else see this? And which do you use? Not sure etching is nesseccary. There are two small holes. You can see that the low (tip) end hole is got an oil film in it. The top end one is clear. If you intentionally set the stick upside down the top hole will quickly get its oil film also. Its easy to tell if you are overfilled for instance. But the the thin film of oil will also cause the upper hole to show oil. Question is, is this the right film of oile to use?

 

the lighter, wet top part of the dip stick is your oil level. the lower, thicker portion level is the oil that has slid down the dip stick.

 

the highest mark is the level of oil in the pan.

 

Unless you are talking about what the top of the dipstick picked up on the way back down the tube after you wiped it up.