How on Earth do you read the oil dipstick?

I've never seen an oil dipstick like this, no matter what I do it always just reads, well crazy. The oil doesn't really seem to stick to it but just kind of smears all over the whole thing..

I did read or someone said to sand it a little bit and I did that, but it seemed to make no difference.

Any ideas?

 

I’ve never had too much trouble reading it. I need to check it 3-4 times but its readable.

I pull the dip stick and fill cap, remove the drain bolt, remove the filter, pop the top on a brew, wait 10 minutes, put a new filter on, replace gasket, put drain plug back in, fill up the oil, run the engine for 1-2 minutes, rev the engine a bit, then check the fill level on the stick.

In the light I can always see where the oil lands. Even though it may be fairly clear I can see it.
I always change my oil outside so I have sunlight to help me. Could that be part of the issue? Checking it in a poorly lit garage?

Pull stick out, wipe clean, stick it in and turn it to lock it down then pull it back out.

 

Pull the stick out, wait for 5 mins and then check it. That will give some time for the oil to drip down out of the dipstick tube and give you a cleaner look.

 

I'll have to try to get some pictures this evening, basically no matter what I do oil is always going up like 2 or 3 in of the stick, but I don't think this is the actual level, I think it's just smearing across the whole thing.

The garage is very well lit and I can clearly see the oil, it's just all over the stick.

 

I believe I understand what you're saying, but when I put it back in and then pull it out again won't that just do the same thing?

 

If you wait a few minutes there will be less oil in the tube to muck up the reading.


It is kinda annoying though..

 

Sometimes oil slings up into the tube. If you pull the stick out and wait, the oil will drip out of the tube and give you a more accurate reading when you check again.

I hear ya though, my 2.7 always reads crazy.

 

Right I see what you both are saying, but is this assuming that you were just driving? Because I'm checking it in the morning after she's been sitting all night haha.

I will give this a try though.

Honestly I think it would work better if the dipstick had crosshatch.

 

Better lighting? Better eye glasses?

In all seriousness the only thing Ive noticed about the 4.0L V6 is the pull, clean, recheck method doesn't work so good. Due to the curve of the dip stick tube thing (or whatever its called). The first time you pull the stick out, it coats the inside of the tube in oil. So when you put the stick back in and pull it out to do the recheck method it's smeared all over the stick.

So I just let a warm engine sit for about 5 mins, then pull it once and check it

 

PS no jokes about pulling it out and sticking it back in

 

Take a small file and make your own crosshatch on it.

If you are checking on a cold engine there should already be very little oil in the tube anyway from sitting. Pull the stick, flip it over and check both sides

 

Turn it to lock it? I didn't know about this. Mine feels fairly snug in place.

 

Mine slides into the sheath and then you turn it to lock it in. That way the cap doesn’t rattle around spilling out oil while your driving around.
I have a 2013 so unsure if the earlier models are different. Mine turns a bit to secure it.

 

I mean I can see the oil, but it goes up way too far up the stick, but I don't think that's the actual reading.

 

Ah, I gotcha. Yes, this would apply after it has been running.

 

Ooh. I got ya. Didn't understand your first post. I have noticed that 5 qts with new (empty) filter puts me at the sweet spot about 3/4 between empty and full on the stick. Every single time I've followed the owner's manual and added the recommended 5.5 (5.6??) Qts with empty filter it's always been over the fill Mark. Idk why but it annoys me..

 

With your Mark I eyeballs obviously...

 

Same. I've never been able to read that damn thing, and I've tried all the techniques. Hot. Cold. Morning. Etc.... It always looks like a smeary mess.

The dipstick on my wifes car works great.

 

All of your need to get your purses out and surrender your man cards...