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

Glad to hear a little common sense added to this thread

 

For those with control issues, and apparently there are some....I do not think there are quarts of oil needing to drop into the pan to get a good reading.

The deal is, I cannot get an accurate reading unless the car sits a few hours because the DIPSTICK IS ALL STREAKY and very tough to read. Both on my Prius and on my Ford. Same with my mother's car.

After it sits, there still may not be much more or less oil in the pan, BUT I CAN ACTUALLY SEE IT ON THE DIPSTICK. Happy?

 

Yeah you guys with the control issues, get a grip

 

I continue to get a lot of smearing up the dipstick, regardless of the car sitting a good long time. Typically flipping over the dipstick, one side at least will show a discernable interruption, the true level.

 

The Toyota repair manual suggests that once the engine is warmed up, it is necessary to wait only 5 minutes after the engine is turned off, to measure the engine oil level. So after you, for example, have refueled, there is no problem checking the engine oil level to see what it is.

One side of the dipstick registering less than the other: my experience is that as the oil level drops on the dipstick, there is greater variability from one side to the other. Conversely, if the oil level is near the top dimple, then there is little difference in reading between the two sides. In any event, the lower of the two sides should be used to determine the oil level.

Difficulty in seeing the engine oil level on the dipstick when the oil is fresh: my approach is to tilt the dipstick so that its flat surface reflects the available light. Then there will be no issue in seeing the oil film on the dipstick even if the oil is transparent.

 

If you added another 0.5 quart or so, your oil level would be up to the top dimple.

As previously suggested, you should keep an eye on the engine oil level so that you will understand the extent to which your engine is consuming oil. You do not want a repeat occurrence of the situation where the oil is below the bottom dimple - unless your idea of a good use of your funds is to replace the engine sooner than otherwise required.

 

You've got the photographing dipstick technique down pat, lol. Most pics that get posted would have the hood release latch sharply focused.

I've never seen the level on ours that sharply defined, maybe there is something to letting it sit overnight, to dodge the smearing.

 

Thus the importance of checking the engine oil level with great regularity.

And you are forbidden to come back here reporting of an intermittent "low oil level light."
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