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Proper way to check engine oil

21K views 40 replies 24 participants last post by  pablitormDub  
#1 ·
I know how to read the oil level but I am not sure when is the best time to check oil level.
Is it better to check when oil is hot or cooled off? How much difference between the two methods?
 
#3 ·
The most accurate method and the method typically recommend in most car manuals is to check the oil while the motor is warm. Checking your oil after you have gassed up is usually a good method because your motor will be warm and you will have given it a few minutes for all of the oil to drain back in to the pan.
 
#4 ·
Make sure ground is level as well. If you're tracking an oil consumption issue, make sure you're always checking in the same spot in your driveway/garage.

My driveway looks level, but it descends 1" every 15'. It's enough to throw things off a little, but as long as I'm keeping it between the marks under those conditions, that is a good enough effort.
 
#8 ·
Most important!

Checking the oil level in my driveway shows the quantity just kissing the low end of the dipstick mark. Checking it on a level surface shows the quantity to be well within limits. With a 4.3 quart sump capacity, being on a level surface is critical.
 
#5 ·
The way i look at it, you should check the oil right after you turn the engine off or even with the engine running if possible. Reason being that all that oil that hasn't drained back into the pan isn't in the pan during normal operation anyway, so checking the oil after it drains back will give you a higher reading than what it would be if the engine were running. Just a way you can run a little extra oil in our notoriously low volume oil pans.
 
#12 ·
x2. Also, doesn't matter whether warm or cold, just when the engine is off and it has sat for 30 mins or so.
 
#14 ·
You can only add Bottle Filter Water from Germany. The lead in the American water will hurt the Flux Capacitor. You need to add the water once you hit 98,000 miles or if you have more then 3 people in the car. What ever comes first.
 
#16 ·
x3 don't get me started on American made muffler bearings. German only. you know the germans make good stuff.
 
#18 ·
If your driveway isn't level do it like this. Check the level and take a picture of the level on the dipstick, then turn the car around. Drink a beer:beer: or two and make sure all the oil has drained back into the pan. Check it again and compare to the first mark, divide by two and you should be right on. If not then you can always tell time that way - time for another beer.:lol:
 
#22 ·
x4, you should always check your oil level when your little gadget piece that never works properly (on the instrument cluster) reads "STOP!" For me, that's a good sign that there is little to no oil. I add about a case at that point and wait for the CEL to blink at me to tell me we're all good. Plenty of oil hydration. My cats get a little freaked out by this process, but I never liked animals anyways.
 
#27 ·
I own a V6 and definitively the best way cure the motor oil smell is to swap your engine oil for popcorn butter-oil. Found the orville-redenbacher to be similar to a 5w40, and quiets down my lifters and crank bearings. And it smells great! You can find it at Wally-world @ 10.50 /gal.

Using the oil dipstick to check your oil is lame. The germans put it just to make sure their canadian, american and mexican customers felt "at ease", albeit just a placebo thing, ressembling the way fords and chevy's have always been serviced. In our passats the oil dipstick goes into some stupid well where a bit of oil is always in, but has no connection with the engine whatsoever. The ECU varies constantly the oil level in the dipstick well for you to feel it changes over time.

The german (correct) way to check the oil level is:

1. Lift your car in jack stands
2. Remove the oil drain plug
3. Immediately place your thumb in the drain hole
4. Use the Vag tool VL-75645361 and screw it in the drain hole
5. Measure the amount of manometric pressure on the Vag tool
6. Turn on the car
7. Use vag com to monitor the oil temperature
8. When oil temp reaches 45°C +/- 3° check the manometric pressure again
9. If you observe a variation of 0.001% in the manometric pressure, then you are good to go.
10. Remove the tool and place the oil drain plug.
11. Add aproximately enough new oil to make up for the one you dripped during the process (typ. 185 mL +/- 15mL)
12. Use only approved VW505.00 /ACEA B3/B4 oils.
13. Do this every 3 days.

It's easy.
 
#28 ·
I tried popcorn butter, but I really like Karo syrup better. It reminded me of mom's home cooking as I drove. Not to mention it's very smooth and similar to 10w-30, for us cold weather drivers it's probably better than the popcorn butter.
 
#40 ·
When checking your motor oil, make sure you wash your hands before doing it, to prevent getting any germs inside your engine. You don't want your engine to get a fever or Montezuma's revenge.... :D (picture your engine de-"sludging" around town)

Sorry, I need to unwind...it's 8:19pm and still at the office.