Reading the dip stick

[pfaffendorn]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

. . . See, everybody. We all need a good dope slap now and then . . .

Holy Cow! I sure got mine, didn't I? Thanks to you all for your responses. To say I asked for it is a major understatement. I will take it to heart.

[Teseo]

Short throw dip stick is way better

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by pfaffendorn

Holy Cow! I sure got mine, didn't I? Thanks to you all for your responses. To say I asked for it is a major understatement. I will take it to heart.

Right?!

Good times.

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by Teseo

Short throw dip stick is way better

That and lower oil content is weight savings!

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I'll still keep checking mine cold and add 'til it's almost full. For the record, my rough calculation shows that 5 quarts of oil at 20*C will have expanded by about a cup at 80*C

That makes sense, I just checked my level the 'right' way after a 10 minute cooldown and I'd say I'm sitting at about 'half' between F/L when stone cold it's closer to 1/4 between F/L which works out to ~1 cup (~0.24L, it's 1.0L between F and L).

If I did it your way I'd fear being overfilled (at the Full mark when cold would be over full by ~0.2L) but I don't think you're negatively affecting the engine, fat margins of safety on consumer products yo.

[JD001]

I'm finding myself dipping in and out of this thread.. so far no wiping!!

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

fat margins of safety on consumer products yo.

/thread

[Scrappydoo]

Originally Posted by Teseo

Short throw dip stick is way better

There must be a "performance" TRD/STI dipstick?

[Teseo]

Originally Posted by Scrappydoo

There must be a "performance" TRD/STI dipstick?

Yes, can be purchased on autozone or advance auto parts

[Scrappydoo]

Originally Posted by Teseo

Yes, can be purchased on autozone or advance auto parts

Haha, really. Now that is fool and money

[Poodles]

5 pages and nobody posts this?



1) Do it warm.
2) Check both sides and go off the lower side.
3) It's not a range, it's full or low, stop under filling!

Originally Posted by DandoX

Pull dipstick, wipe (obviously) then put in and give it a moment then pull it out and check BOTH sides of the dipstick. If your not sure then just repeat and maybe put the dipstick in again and repeat. I'm a paranoid dude and I check my dipstick 2-3 times, but then you know.

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.

Also if you drive your car with spirit like I do then you fall under "extreme" conditions and you should change your oil every 3700 roughly (check the manual that's what it says). Also if you use OEM oil filters here is a great site suggested in other threads for a good deal, like $6 an oil filter. http://www.subarugenuineparts.com

1) You're under filled.
2) You "drive with spirit" means you're liking taking corners hard which if you're under filled would cause loss of oil pressure as the pickup is uncovered. Also, extreme conditions is short trips and opposite of what 90% of people think it is.

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.

If you overfill it a lot it will be hard to rev as the oil gets sloshed around. Fun quirk of boxer motors where the oil can get to the back of the pistons and sit there...

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.

Really, no harm? Try telling your dealer that if you have an engine failure. Guess what's not going to be covered.

Originally Posted by DandoX

In the manual it just says keep between full and low and add oil if it gets too close or below the low mark, nothing about topping it off to the full mark.

Is there a reason to keep the oil at the full mark? Do you have info to back that up?

For me I've added oil to the full mark only to check it the next day after driving and see it is now above the full mark which I know can be harmful. That is why I don't fill to the full mark. Judging by everyone's reactions I may be wrong but it is a good opportunity to learn what is right and why. Can you or someone else please explain?

Because if one removes all the oil and then fills it with 5.7 quarts as the manual states, it's sitting just over the top hole in the dipstick. Anything else is LOW, period.

Maybe it's because I come from cars that are very sensitive to oil starvation, but this crap drives me crazy.

[humfrz]

Life was simpler back-in-the-day .......


humfrz

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

From an efficiency standpoint an argument could be made that the second wipe is redundant.

Step 6 above. The defense rests.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Poodles

5 pages and nobody posts this?



1) Do it warm.
2) Check both sides and go off the lower side.
3) It's not a range, it's full or low, stop under filling!



1) You're under filled.
2) You "drive with spirit" means you're liking taking corners hard which if you're under filled would cause loss of oil pressure as the pickup is uncovered. Also, extreme conditions is short trips and opposite of what 90% of people think it is.



If you overfill it a lot it will be hard to rev as the oil gets sloshed around. Fun quirk of boxer motors where the oil can get to the back of the pistons and sit there...



Really, no harm? Try telling your dealer that if you have an engine failure. Guess what's not going to be covered.



Because if one removes all the oil and then fills it with 5.7 quarts as the manual states, it's sitting just over the top hole in the dipstick. Anything else is LOW, period.

Maybe it's because I come from cars that are very sensitive to oil starvation, but this crap drives me crazy.

You neglected to go to the next page for the filling instructions.

The "full" mark is not an indicator that it MUST be to that line. It simply means it is full.

The instructions are very clear when you need to add oil and it does not say "If below the full line at all".

That said I am firmly with you in the keep it full all the time camp.