Oil Dipstick Level Reading...

[Msfitoy]

Hi Sid,

I am in the same boat with reading the dipstick...had to wait until the next morning after I did the oil change... Have yet to figure out why this is a problem. Suspect it is location of the dip stick but have not pursued. Maybe Ford should shorten the dipstick like the transmission?

best,
Phil

I searched for after market dipstick but came up zero for Ranger5G...I have an aftermarket dipstick for my Mini that has a co-molded tip that has four serrated sides...captures the oil for easy reading...hoping that will come on the market someday...

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[JesseS]

Hmmmm, I must have gotten the Dipstick Ver 2.0 because I don't have any issue reading it on my 21, but I do read it first thing before starting it.

 

[Joeiconic]

Hmmmm, I must have gotten the Dipstick Ver 2.0 because I don't have any issue reading it on my 21, but I do read it first thing before starting it.

Same here, I check mine cold and have never had an issue.

 

[rang19ca]

I don't see an oil, idiot light, on my Ranger.

 

[Msfitoy]

I don't see an oil, idiot light, on my Ranger.

Usually on my other vehicles, after an oil change and start up, I see the oil light remain on momentarily until pressure builds...I've never noticed an oil light on the Ranger...did I miss it?

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Usually on my other vehicles, after an oil change and start up, I see the oil light remain on momentarily until pressure builds...I've never noticed an oil light on the Ranger...did I miss it?

Hi Sid,

I think it is a message in the Instrument cluster that pops up...

best,
Phil

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

As some of you have said, checking it cold on level ground is key

The last part is to take the stick out and not pay attention, just wipe it. Walk away for ten min and then reinsert to check the level

I have found the dipstick hinders the oil from draining down the tube. If you let it sit for a few minutes while the dipstick is out, it allows the excess oil to drain down the tube so when you reinsert it isn't scraping excess oil from the sides of the tube

But hey if the tube squeegee comes out, I'll be on board. Better idea than those Boomba things

 

[Apples]

Dipsticks haven't been usable since we switched to synthetic oils. This is one of the reasons the term "dipstick" is applied to dumb-ass drivers!!

 

[Dgc333]

Dipsticks haven't been usable since we switched to synthetic oils.

And why would that be?

I have been using synthetic oil since the early 70s and have never noticed any difference in reading the oil level between synthetic and conventional oil. You have to give the oil the appropriate amount of time to drain into the pan before you get an accurate reading on the dipstick. That time is a function of the engine design not the oil.

 

[outdoorphotog]

Easier to read when it sits overnight and the oil is darker. Then I just wipe it off and dip and usually it’s pretty spot on.

 

[MountainGoat]

Did you smell it? Is there fuel in the oil? ?

Oh THIS is how you're supposed to do it! I've been sticking my nose in the gas cap trying to smell oil.

 

[Apples]

Modern oils don't turn dark like some of the old paraffin formulas did. And we've learned to make engines that don't leak combustion gases like the ones in the 70s and 80s (think Chevy Vega!).

 

[Msfitoy]

Modern oils don't turn dark like some of the old paraffin formulas did. And we've learned to make engines that don't leak combustion gases like the ones in the 70s and 80s (think Chevy Vega!).

Huh? I change my Mobil 1 around 5K miles and it is always dark...?

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Of course day to day maintenance checks are done after it's been sitting, and gravity has done it's work.

The problem is specific to oil changes. Most motors you dump oil and wait a few seconds for it to run through the motor until it fills the oil pan high enough to reach the stick.

Oil in the Ranger seems to drain down the dip stick tube itself, so even if you only put 1 liter in and pull the stick, it shows as over full. You have to wait X minutes for the tube to drain, every time you add any oil.

 

[FoD]

Usually on my other vehicles, after an oil change and start up, I see the oil light remain on momentarily until pressure builds...I've never noticed an oil light on the Ranger...did I miss it?

#19 location

Everything readable says it will only show at low pressure and not when you start or switch on...

from the 2019 service manual

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