Chuck W.

This is actually a follow up question from Dudley's disappearing oil question but I thought it would work better in its own post.

How often is there a significant difference between the oil level gauge and the dip stick when you follow the rules on checking the oil level? TIA

Viken

Regardless of how often, you should only trust your dipstick 100% of the time.

Mark in Baltimore

Chuck,

My gauge has been correct every time I've checked it against the dipstick, but that doesn't mean it or the sender will continue to be correct. Better to trust the simple stick that is physically in the oil.

GabiOsz

I often find a difference between the two especially in cold weather, but always go by the stick and the difference is only very slight.

Presuming that the gauge and stick are both correct and the engine is at the correct tempriture, at what oil level on the stick does the gauge start to read from? As I notice that the gauge reads low when there is only just half showing on the stick.

Anir

Like Mark, I have always found the two methods to be in perfect agreement.

Benton

I don't trust my gauge. When the oil is full, the gauge reads almost full. Soon after (like 2 tanks of gas), it will be all the way in the orange. I don't really care though, I just use the dipstick.

Edward

As others, I ONLY trust the dipstick. But in answer to the specific question, my gauge has always correlated to the dipstick, AS LONG AS the thermostat is open, the car is hot, and I've been idling for about a minute. I completely ignore the gauge if these three conditions are not met.

Edward

Blizzard

Mine appears to be right on. I only check it in the garage (level)after I return from driving (warmed up).

Frank 993 C4S

Here's one more: For exact measurement, I only trust the dipstick and check when the car is hot and on a level surface. In that case my oil level gauge has always been in the 3 o'clock position. I check the oil after every drive via the gauge before I shut the engine down. I check the oil with the dipstick for exact measurement every 200 - 300 miles.