I've always preferred checking my oil warm, but I have never waited 15 minutes. 30 seconds, a minute tops. I want to know the level while most of the oil is circulating through the engine, so the longer you wait, more of the oil drains back into the pan. Of course, they may calibrate the dipstick markings based on that 15 minute wait, but checking it sooner isn't going to make an appreciable difference in the final level.

Another reason they may want to wait with the dipstick out is that the running engine might throw some oil upwards into the tube opening, and potentially show an incorrect level. But I've always wiped the stick off before re-inserting, and if there's a blob of oil higher up I just ignore it. Overall it's pretty easy to see the real oil level, even if there's some stray oil higher up in the tube.

 

That is interesting. I had not read the oil checking section of the manual. Thought I knew how.

I can safely say I have never removed the oil filler cap before pulling the dipstick. Could that really make a difference?

Guess I need to go check some oil.

Geoff

 

That is interesting. I had not read the oil checking section of the manual. Thought I knew how.

I can safely say I have never removed the oil filler cap before pulling the dipstick. Could that really make a difference?

Guess I need to go check some oil.

Geoff

I can safely say I have never removed the oil filler cap before pulling the dipstick.

Thank you . Even though I started the thread, I had not noticed that strange-to-me step!

At age 69, I am extremely habituated to NOT monkeying with the cap when checking the oil. So if I was to start taking off the cap, I see myself eventually forgetting to put it back on. Unless an engineer gets on with a rock-solid justification, I'm not doing it.

P.S. Taking the manual instructions literally, you take off the cap and never put it back on

 

I just check it cold as I always have. Cold oil is a hair thicker and darker so easier to read on that hard to read dipstick. Unless you check it right away after shutting it off I bet it doesn't make a difference at all. The trick is to check it and not forget about it. I check mine usually once a week, unless a trip is involved.

 

You want complicated, try a BMW boxer, which has a sight glass. Park on center stand, wait 15 minutes for oil to drain, then get on your hands and knees and see if there is only air (low) or only oil (high). 50/50 is just right.

 

I'm approaching 78 next month... For the record, I was doing something under the hood (bonnet to those in the UK), and I forgot to replace the oil cap. I ordered a replacement online, and didn't drive the Niro until it arrived.

 

You and me both lol. A few years ago I did that with my Prius but it rolled and got trapped in some crevice so at least I still had it.

 

Good thing you didn't drive the car before replacing that cap. Don't ask how I know, but it makes a serious mess.

Geoff

 

Whatever method you use reading the oil level on that red coloured dipstick is incredibly difficult especially with clean oil.

 

I'm over here just happy the car has a dipstick. Our last one didn't.

 

Expect the oil level to be a bit lower when it is cold. No surprise, no problem. It'll expand when warm. And it'll read a bit higher after it has been sitting a while and the oil drains from the engine into the sump. Pick your time to check it and be consistent.

For clear clean oil, use a paper towel. A colored towel is easier, but white works. Pull the stick, wipe it clean, put the dipstick all the way back in, pull it back out, and immediately lay the end of the dipstick on that paper towel. The oil will soak into the paper towel and show you where the level is compared to the markings on the dipstick.

 

I once posted about this but maybe it bears repeating. My 18 Niro uses a coiled spring for a dipstick which has the potential to flick around when inserting it in the hole. At the very end is an o-ring that needs to be pushed in and I can visualize that action making the tip flick around just as it's entering the oil in the sump. It's one of the more difficult sticks to read that I've come across in my 74yrs and cavalierly pushing it past the o-ring and yanking it out, IMO, makes it more so. I find turning the stick over to the other side helps find a more distinct line. The glossy plastic it's made from sure doesn't help. During an oil change I aim for an 1/8"(3-4mm) below the full line.