Best time to check your oil

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

For years, my dad, who knew everything about cars and was an expert mechanic, told me the best time to check your oil was when the engine was cold. That way, you can get a better idea of how much oil is in the pan. If you check the oil when it's hot, the reading isn't as accurate because there is still oil in all the workings of the engine and you might think you're low when your not. Today I checked my oil when the engine was cold. There were instructions on the dip stick to check the oil when the engine is hot and in neutral.

Which is right?

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This message was edited by Alice S. Fuzzybutt on 8-14-02 @ 9:01 PM

[seagullbeagle]

Your father is and is not right older cars are designed to take a proper measurement when the engine is cold modern engineers decided it was more practical to design engines to read the oil level when warm to accomodate for a drive to the gas station to have your oil checked. <P>

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[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

You're right beagle. He told me this in the early to mid 80s.

He hasn't been around since 1988. I'm apt to believe the manufacturer!!!

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[seagullbeagle]

You're right beagle. <P>
Finally someone gets the nickname right....thank you. <P>

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[Zipgun]

Just do it every 3000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first, just to be safe.

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[Sheeplovr]

You have to lick your finger first before you Check the oil or it will hurt more

number 333 its the way to be
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[jamesdiggy]

Best time to check your oil?
When you start wearing your underwear inside out.

I don't like pits, pits, pits, in my juice, juice, juice!

[HordeKing1]

I'm certainly not a mechanic, so I rely on the manufacturer's reference book, or other such source to determine how to do things like this.

My car and van manuels say to check the oil while the engine is hot. Perhaps other manufacturers have different recomendations.

I also checked a few sites dealing specifically with this issue. The following I obtained from http://www.ehow.com/ehow/ehowDetails.jsp?index=1005&id=103 (but be warned that you have to register to get into the site - I used a phony name/address/e-mail).

Here are the steps:

1. Check the oil when the engine is warm. Oil expands when it's hot and contracts when it's cold; different temperatures will give you different readings.

2. Park the car on a level surface.

3. Turn off the engine.

4. Pull the hood release lever under the dashboard.

5. Walk around the front of the car, reach under the hood, find the latch and squeeze it. As you squeeze the latch, open the hood. (Image 1)

6. Find the dipstick, a long piece of metal sticking out of the engine with a loop at one end, usually located near the spark plugs. (Image 2)

7. Pull on the loop and draw the dipstick all the way out.

8. Wipe the oil off the dipstick with a paper towel or shop rag. (Image 3)

9. Replace the clean dipstick, making sure to push it all the way in, then pull it back out and hold it horizontally in front of you. (Image 4)

10. Look at the pointy end of the dipstick. If the oil on the dipstick is below the line marked "full," add a small amount of oil (less than a quarter of a quart) with a funnel. Many dipsticks simply have two lines with a cross hatch design in between. The oil level should be halfway between these two lines. (Image 5)

11. Add the oil by unscrewing the oil filler cap, which is about 3 inches in diameter and located on the very top of the engine. (Image 6)

12. Check the oil level with the dipstick after adding oil. Add more if necessary. It's easier to add more oil but fairly difficult to remove oil if you add too much.

13. Put the oil filler cap back on and secure it tightly.


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[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

When you start wearing your underwear inside out


Then I'm WAYYYY over due!

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[Death Metal Moe]

I was taught under the 80's LIE of cold engines as well, Death Metal Fuzzybutt. But now I'm a liberated man! Watch me check my OIL after a Sunday drive!

And seriously, 'Checking the Oil' gave me flashback chills to when my Uncle was knucle deep in....... IT'S TOO PAINFULL......

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[hyperspace]

It sounds to me like you checked your transmission fliud by mistake! it is red in color and the printing on the dip stick probably reads "use dextron" or something to that effect. the dip stick looks similar to the engine oil one.

"I don't know how the f**k you knew that ring was a fugazy"

[Heavy]

Listen people, if you dont have enough oil, youll damage your engine.....check it cold or by the time it gets hot it may be too late

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[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I got a lube job this weekend. Oh, and I also got my oil changed, too. :-)

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[FUNKMAN]

Fuzzy,

it sounds like you checked the transmission fluid, not sure...not trying to bust your stones...

was the liquid a reddish color?

the OIL dipstick usually just has a "grid" which indicates high/low and "add oil or add 1 quart" written on it...

i always check the oil when the engines cold...been driving over 20 years and change my own oil, never had a problem...

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This message was edited by FUNKMAN on 8-20-02 @ 2:41 PM

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

No it wasn't the transmission fluid.

But I am missing my 710 cap.

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[FUNKMAN]

But I am missing my 710 cap.


that's funny, I had a Datsun 710, first car...

related?

i edited my prior message, can't shake this "you may have been checking transmission fluid" feeling...
:)

could someone have switched dipsticks?

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This message was edited by FUNKMAN on 8-20-02 @ 2:44 PM

[SuperDave]

I'm sorry but you're all wrong. The correct time to check your oil is 2:37 PM EST. Got it? <P>
PS 4. Pull the hood release lever under the dashboard. <P>
5. Walk around the front of the car, reach under the hood, find the latch and squeeze it. As you squeeze the latch, open the hood. (Image 1) <P>
What the hell is this, oil changing for retards?? I didn't know they let them drive. <P>



Sorry, I'll sit down now.
**Upgrade your grey matter, cuz someday it may matter.**
**Where the hell is my Big Ass Card?**

[SuperDave]

I missed this.
5. Walk around the front of the car, reach under the hood, find the latch and squeeze it. As you squeeze the latch, open the hood. (Image 1)

What if you drive a VW Beetle (the real beatle, not that new POS they call a beetle) You can look all over the place in front of the car, but if you find oil, you've got bigger problems than an oil change is going to fix.



Sorry, I'll sit down now.
**Upgrade your grey matter, cuz someday it may matter.**
**Where the hell is my Big Ass Card?**

[Michael Fury]

Save that oil. As it turns out, a little salt water plus gnarly motor oil equals delicious vinaigrette.




Fuck Disneyland. I'm going to Betty Ford!

[Hawiian shirt craig]

I got a lube job this
weekend. Oh, and I also got my
oil changed, too.


do you have to tell EVERYONE
EVERYTIME we hang out? christ i
make u scream my name then
forget it, and ur making dirty
jokes on the internet... why i
oughta....


-Hawiian Shirt Craig
THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS!!

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[McNabbShouldDie]

Best time to check your oil?


When your car suddenly stops running...

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[HordeKing1]

McNabbShouldDie - I would think about 5 minutes before then!


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