bogie23

Im confused , i was told to get engine to running temperature , turn engine off keep key on on position check gauge and dipstick , someone else says keep engine on the check gauge and dipstick , what is the proper way ?

GwynnieMae

Engine on, warm and on a level surface. On my car, if the gauge moves just a little, it's full. But use the dipstick for accurate reading.

NYC993

IIRC the manual calls for running, warmed up engine.

The gauge is useless. Mine is always at very low level, while dipstick shows halfway.

mike cap

Engine HOT and running, on level surface, then check with the dipstick.

six gun

Ignore the gauge, check the oil level with engine at temp, car on the level, and then dip, wipe and re-dip to get an accurate reading.

race911

Warmed up, level ground, engine idling for ~30 seconds, check dipstick. (Can reference the oil level gauge just so you know how they read against each other.)

Same procedure since 911 #1 ~50 years ago. Seriously hoping no "mechanic" gave you the engine off tip.........

bogie23

I got the engine off tip from JUST ANSWER , thank you my brothers , gonna rely on dipstick with engine running

Quadcammer

Haven't pulled that asinine dipstick in over 3 years. If it registers anything on the gauge while hot at idle, its got enough oil in it. If it doesn't, add about a half quart.

The ridiculous obsession with minute fluid level corrections in a 12+qt system is such mental masturbation.

Cemoto

+1

steve porter

I always check the accuracy of the gauge after an oil change with the dipstick,just in case a total drain altered anything but in between oil changes I use the gauge that has in 7 years has proved to be 100% reliable and accurate

P-daddy

I use the dipstick once in a blue moon but mostly rely on the gauge, too.

boman993

I only look at the dipstick. The gauge is useless (in my car).

ehanauer

My gauge is always in the red when the dipstick reads halfway.

saneproductions

My gauge is very accurate if you are fully warm with the valve open to the front cooler (fender warm) if it idles for 30-40 on a flat surface (checked against dipstick). It is in the manual. I would be careful not to over fill if you think your gauge is not accurate. Better to be a little low that high.

M. Schneider

+1 Agreed.
The relationship between the dipstick, the gauge and mileage since last oil/filter service has remained the same all these years. Hot engine, level ground and the gauge reads X. . . Dam there's 12 qts of Mobil 1 15w-50w in there.

OP - Hot engine, level ground, reading the dipstick is gospel. Better to not over fill ....