Reading the dip stick

[Subsonic]

Originally Posted by DandoX

The car runs better in general if the oil level is at the half point or quarter point. Try not to over fill and if you do avoid reving her up too much until your next oil change.

I'm sorry but what. Do you have anything to back up that it's better to run at half to 1/4 on the dipstick?

I think I read on here recently one gent who recommends running OVER the max level because it runs quieter. like WTF.

And if you overfill your sump, the solution is not just to "avoid reving her up too much", but to drain some oil. I know. It's really hard.

Jeez...

[Clipdat]

Gonna have to call a big WTF on this one.... WTF?!

If you check the oil while the engine is cold (sitting overnight), and the oil level is at the half way point between L and F on the dipstick that means the engine's oil level is a half quart low. If it's at the 1/4 point, that means it's 3/4 of a quart low.

There is nothing about having a low oil level that is going to make the car "run better".

Originally Posted by DandoX

The car runs better in general if the oil level is at the half point or quarter point.

[Clipdat]

Uh yeah, I have a comment, you don't know WTF you are doing.

Originally Posted by pfaffendorn

By the way, while we're speaking of oil, I have also found that adding a pint or so more oil above the top hole in the dipstick results in a smoother startup and less metal-on-metal noise on the road. I know I'm probably courting some kind of disaster, but I feel less engine noise means less wear and tear, and it seems to work the same way with both my BRZ and our Legacy 2.5 (which made a horrifying clatter for a few seconds after pushing the start button, but not anymore). And the music of the exhaust is much more enjoyable.

Any comments, y'all?

[Subsonic]

Here's the post, in this very thread:

Originally Posted by pfaffendorn

By the way, while we're speaking of oil, I have also found that adding a pint or so more oil above the top hole in the dipstick results in a smoother startup and less metal-on-metal noise on the road. I know I'm probably courting some kind of disaster, but I feel less engine noise means less wear and tear, and it seems to work the same way with both my BRZ and our Legacy 2.5 (which made a horrifying clatter for a few seconds after pushing the start button, but not anymore). And the music of the exhaust is much more enjoyable.

Any comments, y'all?

Yeah, that is almost the stupidest thing I've read today. What is "metal on metal noise" anyway, and if the oil pickup is already submerged in oil on startup (which it is guaranteed to be if it is over the minimum level), how is adding more oil going to change anything? The only possible outcome here is having so much oil that your crank splashes into the oil pool and aerates your oil.

Grrr...

[DandoX]

Originally Posted by Subsonic

I'm sorry but what. Do you have anything to back up that it's better to run at half to 1/4 on the dipstick?

I think I read on here recently one gent who recommends running OVER the max level because it runs quieter. like WTF.

And if you overfill your sump, the solution is not just to "avoid reving her up too much", but to drain some oil. I know. It's really hard.

Jeez...

Yes if you way overfill it, but if it is at the full marker or slightly above you can just avoid reving up too much. The post about filling over max level is incorrect and I don't recommend that at all. Best place is right in the middle or a little below the middle mark.

[DandoX]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Gonna have to call a big WTF on this one.... WTF?!

If you check the oil while the engine is cold (sitting overnight), and the oil level is at the half way point between L and F on the dipstick that means the engine's oil level is a half quart low. If it's at the 1/4 point, that means it's 3/4 of a quart low.

There is nothing about having a low oil level that is going to make the car "run better".

Don't check the oil level when it's cold, warm it up first. That's best practice.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by DandoX

Yes if you way overfill it, but if it is at the full marker or slightly above you can just avoid reving up too much. The post about filling over max level is incorrect and I don't recommend that at all. Best place is right in the middle or a little below the middle mark.

WTF?

No.

Full is full and best. Any lower and the pump has to do more work.

Too full is a problem when it starts sloshing and getting whipped up.

Stick to the book, everyone. I can't believe some of the shit I'm reading here.

[Clipdat]

I realize the manual says check when warm, but I don't understand how that is more accurate than checking when the engine is fully cold. If it's fully cold then almost all of the engine oil will be in the pan. Thus, you get the most accurate reading, imo.

Originally Posted by DandoX

Don't check the oil level when it's cold, warm it up first. That's best practice.

[DandoX]

Originally Posted by Subsonic

I'm sorry but what. Do you have anything to back up that it's better to run at half to 1/4 on the dipstick?

It doesn't harm anything to have it at the 1/4 mark, best to have it half way or slightly below. No nothing to back up it runs better but in my experience it seems to feel better at half or slightly below. Also it encourages you to check your oil regularly and help defend against overfilling. I would be interested if it makes any difference in oil pressure, don't have a pressure gauge so can't know for sure.

[DandoX]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

I realize the manual says check when warm, but I don't understand how that is more accurate than checking when the engine is fully cold. If it's fully cold then almost all of the engine oil will be in the pan. Thus, you get the most accurate reading, imo.

Oil expands and contracts with the temperature.

[Clipdat]

Originally Posted by DandoX

It doesn't harm anything to have it at the 1/4 mark, best to have it half way or slightly below. No nothing to back up it runs better but in my experience it seems to feel better at half or slightly below. Also it encourages you to check your oil regularly and help defend against overfilling. I would be interested if it makes any difference in oil pressure, don't have a pressure gauge so can't know for sure.

[DandoX]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Go ahead and fill to the full mark. If you check your oil level regularly you'll see on hot days after driving a bit the oil level can rise above the full marker.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by DandoX

Oil expands and contracts with the temperature.

Do you know by how much? I do. I'll give you a clue.


Think of a small number.

[Subsonic]

Originally Posted by DandoX

It doesn't harm anything to have it at the 1/4 mark, best to have it half way or slightly below. No nothing to back up it runs better but in my experience it seems to feel better at half or slightly below. Also it encourages you to check your oil regularly and help defend against overfilling. I would be interested if it makes any difference in oil pressure, don't have a pressure gauge so can't know for sure.

OK, I get it. You say without qualification that filling to between the 1/2 and 1/4 mark makes you feel better. No harm in that, unless you are actually recommending it to others. Carry on enjoying your car!

Subsonic