Oil Level Check Question

mokhan996 · 10-24-2018, 01:48 PM

Hey everyone! I’m new to this forum and was curious as stupid as this question may be, I changed my oil not too long ago maybe a month ago? Not even. I checked the dipstick this morning while the motor was cold and it was between the 2 dots, after warming it up to operating temp, it was low, any idea why? Only reason why I ask because I’ve done this oil check test before and after the car was warmed up, the oil level was full.. it’s a 2013 370z for anyone that is wondering because I have seen oil consumption issues in the past years for the 370.

CRiZO · 10-24-2018, 01:56 PM

Typically you check it like five to ten minutes after you turn it off (once warm). But if you checked it the same way and it reads lower now, well, you may have an issue.

It'll read lower if you don't get the oil time to drain back into the pan.

cooltoy · 10-24-2018, 02:31 PM

Did you check the level right after the oil change?

God-Speed · 10-24-2018, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooltoy

Did you check the level right after the oil change?

Regardless of who changes your oil, always check it twice!!!!

JARblue · 10-24-2018, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God-Speed

Regardless of who checks your oil, always check it twice!!!!

Woah dude

But I agree. Always check behind the idiot mechanics. I've had bags of half-eaten fast food left under the hood after an oil change before

vtec to vvel · 10-24-2018, 07:54 PM

IMO the best time to check the oil level is after the car has sat overnight. This way, the oil has gone to the bottom and will give you the most accurate oil level reading and how much oil is inside the engine. Checking it after turning the car off will not give accurate reading bc the oil is scattered throughout the engine. Also, I like to keep my oil level at 3/4 closest to the full mark.

Thesmoke90 · 10-24-2018, 02:42 PM

I think that once the car is warmed up and the oil is circualted through the engine, you are not going to see much on the dipstick (due to there being less oil in the pan)

Check it when the car has cooled down a bit and the oil has dropped back into the pan.

SouthArk370Z · 10-24-2018, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mokhan996

... I checked the dipstick this morning while the motor was cold and it was between the 2 dots, after warming it up to operating temp, it was low, any idea why? ...

Check again after car has sat for a while (an hour or so). If you check immediately after shutting the engine down, some of the oil is still in the engine and hasn't drained back into the pan.

mokhan996 · 10-25-2018, 08:09 AM

Awesome feedback! I'm doing my oil change on my own today, I've been working at Nissan as a tech for 3 years but when it comes to my own car, I become paranoid and clueless to life lol. OCD thing I guess but anyway had my boy do my oil change one day, its weird because on customer 370z we'd put 5.1 quarts but he usually puts 6 quarts, is that correct? Also I checked the dipstick before I posted this thread after it sat over night and it was dead center on the dipstick but after I brought it to operating temp I immediately checked the level and it was a bit over LOW.

Falconquey · 10-25-2018, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mokhan996

Awesome feedback! I'm doing my oil change on my own today, I've been working at Nissan as a tech for 3 years but when it comes to my own car, I become paranoid and clueless to life lol. OCD thing I guess but anyway had my boy do my oil change one day, its weird because on customer 370z we'd put 5.1 quarts but he usually puts 6 quarts, is that correct?

Unless you have some type of oil cooler situation going on, I'd say that is incorrect.

When did checking oil levels become so difficult?

mokhan996 · 10-25-2018, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mokhan996

Awesome feedback! I'm doing my oil change on my own today, I've been working at Nissan as a tech for 3 years but when it comes to my own car, I become paranoid and clueless to life lol. OCD thing I guess but anyway had my boy do my oil change one day, its weird because on customer 370z we'd put 5.1 quarts but he usually puts 6 quarts, is that correct? Also I checked the dipstick before I posted this thread after it sat over night and it was dead center on the dipstick but after I brought it to operating temp I immediately checked the level and it was a bit over LOW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falconquey

Unless you have some type of oil cooler situation going on, I'd say that is incorrect.

When did checking oil levels become so difficult?

What seems incorrect? He claims it takes 6 quarts not sure if you guys also dump in 6 instead of 5.1. Anyways I'll change it myself tonight, I was just curious because I know early model 370z's had consumption problems and I was concerned to fall into that category.

SouthArk370Z · 10-25-2018, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mokhan996

... I've been working at Nissan as a tech for 3 years ...

And you don't know how to check your oil level. Why am I not surprised?

mokhan996 · 10-25-2018, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

And you don't know how to check your oil level. Why am I not surprised?

Haha, hey when its my own, I become too paranoid and overthink any little noise or concern. It's always been a flaw lol. Like I have a Tomei Single Exit and the piping sits so low to the ******* ground so anytime I think I scraped it by going over a speed bump or anything, I'll lift the car up and inspect the exhaust maybe 50 times to make sure I didn't scratch it. Everyone tells me I'm too paranoid lol

SouthArk370Z · 10-25-2018, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mokhan996

Haha, hey when its my own, I become too paranoid and overthink any little noise or concern. It's always been a flaw lol. ...

Checking your oil level twice a day is being "paranoid." That's not the problem.

Assuming you are actually a Nissan Tech with three years of experience, then ignorance is not the problem.

That doesn't leave a whole lot of options, bless your heart.

StormWhite · 10-25-2018, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mokhan996

I checked the dipstick before I posted this thread after it sat over night and it was dead center on the dipstick but after I brought it to operating temp I immediately checked the level and it was a bit over LOW.

Seriously? and you claim to be a Nissan Technician?

10-24-2018, 01:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
mokhan996 Base Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: New Jersey Posts: 124 Drives: 2013 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 7	Oil Level Check Question Hey everyone! I’m new to this forum and was curious as stupid as this question may be, I changed my oil not too long ago maybe a month ago? Not even. I checked the dipstick this morning while the motor was cold and it was between the 2 dots, after warming it up to operating temp, it was low, any idea why? Only reason why I ask because I’ve done this oil check test before and after the car was warmed up, the oil level was full.. it’s a 2013 370z for anyone that is wondering because I have seen oil consumption issues in the past years for the 370.

10-24-2018, 02:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
cooltoy Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary Posts: 13,983 Drives: 14 PW 370Z S/T MT Rep Power: 243722	Did you check the level right after the oil change? __________________ Member of kenchan's "photoshopped mods" and "proper offsets" gang.

10-24-2018, 07:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
vtec to vvel A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: 813 Posts: 3,957 Drives: 13 Z Rep Power: 502910	IMO the best time to check the oil level is after the car has sat overnight. This way, the oil has gone to the bottom and will give you the most accurate oil level reading and how much oil is inside the engine. Checking it after turning the car off will not give accurate reading bc the oil is scattered throughout the engine. Also, I like to keep my oil level at 3/4 closest to the full mark. __________________ Don't like what I post? Too bad. I really don't give a sh!t

10-24-2018, 02:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Thesmoke90 Base Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 38 Drives: '11 370Z T/S 7AT Rep Power: 7	I think that once the car is warmed up and the oil is circualted through the engine, you are not going to see much on the dipstick (due to there being less oil in the pan) Check it when the car has cooled down a bit and the oil has dropped back into the pan. __________________ Invidia Gemini CBE / K&N Drop-ins / Firestone Firehawk Indy500 (255/275) / Daily

10-25-2018, 08:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
mokhan996 Base Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: New Jersey Posts: 124 Drives: 2013 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 7	Awesome feedback! I'm doing my oil change on my own today, I've been working at Nissan as a tech for 3 years but when it comes to my own car, I become paranoid and clueless to life lol. OCD thing I guess but anyway had my boy do my oil change one day, its weird because on customer 370z we'd put 5.1 quarts but he usually puts 6 quarts, is that correct? Also I checked the dipstick before I posted this thread after it sat over night and it was dead center on the dipstick but after I brought it to operating temp I immediately checked the level and it was a bit over LOW. Last edited by mokhan996; 10-25-2018 at 08:18 AM.

10-24-2018, 01:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
CRiZO Track Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Dallas Posts: 672 Drives: in traffic Rep Power: 20699	Typically you check it like five to ten minutes after you turn it off (once warm). But if you checked it the same way and it reads lower now, well, you may have an issue. It'll read lower if you don't get the oil time to drain back into the pan.

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