Checking the oil level

[Matsterious]

I have a dumb question. When I check the oil level I have a hard time seeing where the oil comes up to in the dipstick. I wipe the dipstick off and put it down the hole for a few seconds then pull it out and it's hard for me to tell where in the stick it comes up to. Does anyone have tips to help me read my oil level? Thanks.

Sponsored

 

[jsphlynch]

I find it easiest (especially with fresh oil) to view the stick at a bit of an angle, letting the light reflect off the oily sheen.

 

[Matsterious]

I feel like when I stick it in there is a light sheen on a lot of the stick and a darker sheen where the oil should be . Is that normal?

 

[HenryMac]

I'm guessing your truck has really low miles since the last oil change?

Factory oil after 2,200 miles shown below

 

[Matsterious]

I'm guessing your truck has really low miles since the last oil change?

Factory oil after 2,200 miles shown below

Maybe I need to add oil. I put 6.3ish quarts in and I figured it looked fine on the stick but it's not that defined.

 

[Matsterious]

I'm guessing your truck has really low miles since the last oil change?

Factory oil after 2,200 miles shown below

Oh and yes I'm at 1400 miles and like 100 since my last last change

 

[rang19ca]

It only holds 6.2 qts. Do NOT overfill it.

 

[Matsterious]

It only holds 6.2 qts. Do NOT overfill it.

I'm probably actually at 6.2. I went conservative, but I thought the manual said 6.3 when I checked.

 

[rang19ca]

It's always better to be a little underfull than overfull.

 

[HenryMac]

Maybe I need to add oil. I put 6.3ish quarts in and I figured it looked fine on the stick but it's not that defined.

Are you punking us? I'll assume you aren't.

Oil when it's 1st put in the motor will be nearly clear on the dipstick... especially only after 100 miles on a new motor.

 

[Matsterious]

Are you punking us? I'll assume you aren't.

Oil when it's 1st put in the motor will be nearly clear on the dipstick... especially only after 100 miles on a new motor.

Not punking. When I was doing the oil change I spilled some so the 6.3 isn't an accurate number. I got a good read now and it's right on the top dot. Should I remove some or leave it there?

 

[Ace Holliday]

Just have to catch the light just right. Try not to drag the dip stick on the tube. And as others have said DO NOT OVER FILL your engine.

 

[Matsterious]

Thanks. I got it now. I think I was having trouble with it being clear, bad lighting, and bad eyes. ?

 

[HenryMac]

Not punking. When I was doing the oil change I spilled some so the 6.3 isn't an accurate number. I got a good read now and it's right on the top dot. Should I remove some or leave it there?

You're good. Well done.

 

[pgilbert]

A question when checking the oil level, do I insert the dipstick all the way back in or just until it reaches a green mark on the top of the dipstick (seated but not fully inserted)? Thanks!

Sponsored