Can't tell if my dipstick is showing low oil...

I don't see oil. Best to change it if you haven't. 3.8 quarts should do it

 

Try putting the dipstick in just to the shoulder of the handle, see if you can see a shift of any distinctive edge.

Also, be sure to flip it over, one side's sometimes easier to read than the other.

Third gen dipstick is similar: a lot of smearing up the edges, hard to read. My best guess (and that's an excellent picture): your oil level is right at the bottom dimple. Maybe...

 

i think menders right. the consensus is the edges don't count, it's where the full coverage ends. i don't think anyone knows for sure. if you change it as jc suggests, you'll get a benchmark.

 

Try putting in about a cup. If it IS at that bottom dimple, you should be able to see it go up.

 

How long was the car off before checking? The longer the car is off (longer is better: hours, overnight), the easier it will be to read. I've noticed what you notice when checking after just getting gas: no readable reading.

And you'really checking while on a level surface too?

 

I agree that the oil level isn't even to the first dimple.

 

The oil level between the 2 marks is 1.6 quarts. Half way it would require another. 8 quarts or so. But seeing the history of this car or lack of history, I would just change the oil and start monitoring how much it burns. Add as needed over the oil change interval

 

Looks like It was low then. Do get into habit of checking regularly: after ever gas fill-up (w/ enough time for oil to get back into oil pan), ever week, every other week, once a month. Just do it regularly.

 

Since the car is new to you, you need to monitor how much it burns. All 4 of mine burn oil. Lowest mileage is 75k to 166k. So there's no telling when it starts.

From your information, it has burned at least 1.6 quarts in 4000 miles. This is assuming it was completely full after the oil change

 

Seriously guys....OP never said how long the car sat before checking oil -- except for the one where the check was done immediately after the "drive around."

Exstudent was dead-on. NEED to leave the car alone for at least three hours on a somewhat level surface to get an accurate reading.

I, personally, would be very uncomfortable adding oil after a quick pull right after I drove.

And, even after sitting for several hours, sometimes, I can't tell at all on one side of the stick, but if I turn it over, the level is very obvious.

My car never uses oil and I change it myself and I put in 3.5 quarts at each oil change. Right after the oil change it is a bit hard to see, but after driving for a couple of days, no issue -- as long as I let it sit for several hours before checking.

Listen to Exstudent -- there is a chance -- however slight -- but a chance -- that it is now OVERFILLED.

 

Don't scare the guy, no chance it can be overfilled. He's .8 quarts low.

Mechanics don't wait 3 hours to check your oil level after a change, slow draining to the pan will make up a very slight amount on what you see on the dipstick.

 

I don't think anyone is trying to scare anyone....but neither should one give false hope. I agree we don't know enough to know that the oil was under the bottom mark. And, of course mechanics don't wait hours to check the level after an oil change....and mechanics also DON'T have customers come back so to adjust tension of various belts, etc. after replacement after a few days of driving either, although all the manuals tell you to do just that.

It is even recommended to check the torque of your lugnuts after install a couple of days after driving, but never had a tire shop tell me to come in and have that done (although, If I did, I am sure they would).

Exstudent was right. Period.

 

Nobody is giving false hope. Op took picture again after adding oil and it's halfway on the 2 dipstick marks. That's sufficient oil to run the car safely but is .8 quarts low from the full mark.

 

Sounding like a broken record....

But, as Exstudent said....when was the picture taken. If right after driving, it is NOT an accurate representation of oil levels.

Off to Pike's Place market to buy salmon -- I know the oil level in the salmon....

 

O.K.

That is what we needed to know. The car sat all night. But without knowing that Exstudent was right.

And, also, as mentioned, sometimes, I have to turn over the dip stick, tilt it this way and that and otherwise chant to the gods to get a good visual on my Prius oil level also.

No idea why....

 

I don't the oil has to sit that long for accurate reading. It might get slightly higher, not much though. If I shut down, pop the hood, check the oil, then wait an hour, or two, and check again, not much difference.