Recently, I have been having my oil levels be on the "low" mark of the dipstick. After driving, I let my car cool for 15-20 minutes then check the oil, still on low. I can leave it for 2 or even 3 hours and it will still read low. But when the engine is 90-100% cool, the oil level will read at "full" or slightly over full on the dipstick. I'm using Penzoil 10W-30 with the blue Honda replacement oil filter. I'm afraid that some parts of my engine may be starving for oil as I'm driving. Any reasons to why the oil level would have such obscure readings?

 

As the pump moves the oil through the engine, it stays up there when you check the oil when the engine is hot or warm. As time goes by, the oil will start coming back into the crankcase and the oil level will rise according to the dipstick. The most accurate way is to check a couple minutes after the engine is off from a good long drive. Then add oil as necessary. I think this is the proper way to check the oil as stated in the owners manual.

 

Oil should fully drain back to the case within few minutes from stop. I think you are right about oil not draining back from heads .... sludge buildup? Got to lift your valve covers and see what is going on before you kill that baby

 

Yeah I'm going to. The engine is original and has 140,700 miles on it so sludge could be an issue. If there isn't any build-up, I might just switch to a different viscosity oil like 5W-30 instead of 10W-30.

 

Umm factory spec is 5w-30 or 5w-20.
10w-30 is too thick for our cars, this engine likes to rev.