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Beachin86 · 02-14-2018, 05:03 PM

Hi guys,

I'm coming up on an oil change so I tried checking my oil level. I don't remember having this issue before but I can not read the oil level on my dip stick to save my life. I've tried checking when the car is completely cold, letting it sit for 5-10 minutes after a warm-up cycle, and also after parking from a cruise (also after giving the oil time to settle). And yes, I've made sure the car is sitting on a flat surface. I've even tried checking while the car is sitting in three different level areas (driveway, garage, and parking garage at work).

I've tried etching into the dipstick to give it more grip on the oil, but it seems EVERY time I pull it out, the oil is on the edge of the stick and not at all on the surface. I've wiped it off, reinserted the dip stick and when I pull it out, the flat part is completely dry to the touch while the oil sticks to the edge. If I check the opposite side, it's also completely dry with no oil whatsoever, even on the edge. I've also tried turning the dipstick 90 degrees before inserting but I get enough resistance that it's obvious it only wants to go in at a certain angle. I also tried 180 degrees from where it was (proper angle, just opposite side of the stick) as it's very slightly bent, but still no luck.

I was paranoid that maybe I was running dry, so I tried filling a small amount (about 1/10 of a quart) and I can see the oil level rise accordingly on the dipstick (reading from the edge). Now I'm even more paranoid because if that oil level is accurate while it's showing on the edge of the dipstick, then I am now OVER the limit. (See pic)

Just to clarify, on my last oil change, I was able to read the dipstick properly after filling up and was just under the FULL dot. Filled with EXACTLY 5.7 qt of Redline 0W20. I've already tried searching the forums and I see others have had this same issue where it only shows on the edge of the stick but I haven't seen any way to get a proper reading.

It's embarrassing to not be able to check my own oil level. lol. HALP!

02-14-2018, 05:03 PM	#1
Beachin86 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Drives: FR-S 10 Series Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 137 Thanks: 193 Thanked 82 Times in 58 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Flippin Dip Stick! Hi guys, I'm coming up on an oil change so I tried checking my oil level. I don't remember having this issue before but I can not read the oil level on my dip stick to save my life. I've tried checking when the car is completely cold, letting it sit for 5-10 minutes after a warm-up cycle, and also after parking from a cruise (also after giving the oil time to settle). And yes, I've made sure the car is sitting on a flat surface. I've even tried checking while the car is sitting in three different level areas (driveway, garage, and parking garage at work). I've tried etching into the dipstick to give it more grip on the oil, but it seems EVERY time I pull it out, the oil is on the edge of the stick and not at all on the surface. I've wiped it off, reinserted the dip stick and when I pull it out, the flat part is completely dry to the touch while the oil sticks to the edge. If I check the opposite side, it's also completely dry with no oil whatsoever, even on the edge. I've also tried turning the dipstick 90 degrees before inserting but I get enough resistance that it's obvious it only wants to go in at a certain angle. I also tried 180 degrees from where it was (proper angle, just opposite side of the stick) as it's very slightly bent, but still no luck. I was paranoid that maybe I was running dry, so I tried filling a small amount (about 1/10 of a quart) and I can see the oil level rise accordingly on the dipstick (reading from the edge). Now I'm even more paranoid because if that oil level is accurate while it's showing on the edge of the dipstick, then I am now OVER the limit. (See pic) Just to clarify, on my last oil change, I was able to read the dipstick properly after filling up and was just under the FULL dot. Filled with EXACTLY 5.7 qt of Redline 0W20. I've already tried searching the forums and I see others have had this same issue where it only shows on the edge of the stick but I haven't seen any way to get a proper reading. It's embarrassing to not be able to check my own oil level. lol. HALP! Attached Images