Dip stick

lachap55 · 09-08-2014, 05:57 PM

I have found reading the oil level in my 2010 z is little tricky.
1.Find a level spot in your drive way or somewhere you have access to for future dip stick readings
2.I have found that I can read the car’s dip stick 15 to 30 minutes after engine shut off and get a completely different read when the car is totally cold.
3.After your oil change, drive car to ground zero and measure dip stick.
4.After fill ups or really after a long trip measure dip stick. You would be surprise how many different reading in places I thought were level. Reading the dip stick at the same place will give you the best read.
I made a 1,800 mile trip from Virginia to Florida(Orlando, Miami, Fort laudable) and back and my readings were a little under the H and over the top hole.

l

Arrvaxx · 09-08-2014, 06:01 PM

I'm glad I am not alone...at least we can be crazy together.

DjSquall · 09-08-2014, 06:11 PM

It takes quite some time for your engine to completely cool off and for the oil to slowly flow back to the oil pan.

mishuko · 09-08-2014, 06:16 PM

I measured it on my driveway and it was under the L then I realized I'm an idiot and it has to be flat...

I was OCD and checking my oil before every drive when I first go her (was used originally) and now once every 1000km or so. On that note I use the same spot in my garage now and I get about .5 cm below the H mark and it has dipped a bit lower over time and I notice the oil turning darker. I keep a quart of oil JUST in case.

kenchan · 09-08-2014, 06:25 PM

measure it in the am before starting the car. dont even need a paper towel. pull up (not all the way out) and check. done.

kenchan · 09-08-2014, 06:27 PM

the only time it's tricky to read is after pouring fresh oil during oil change.
but if you use the 5qt jug, just pour the whole thing in. lol

aszyd · 09-08-2014, 07:55 PM

The FSM says to start the car and warm the engine. Then shut it off and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then check the oil. They don't specify what "warm" is though. Is warm when the coolant temp reaches normal operating level, or when the oil temp does, say 180F?

Spooler · 09-08-2014, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aszyd

The FSM says to start the car and warm the engine. Then shut it off and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then check the oil. They don't specify what "warm" is though. Is warm when the coolant temp reaches normal operating level, or when the oil temp does, say 180F?

Yeap, that is what I was about to say. Warm it up, shut it down and wait 15min. before checking on level ground.

Limeybastard · 09-08-2014, 11:26 PM

I was always told to measure on flat surface after car has cooled down a little.

The Z is funny as even bone cold meaning 20 hours later the level is still on full. Even after driving its still same.

09-08-2014, 05:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
lachap55 Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: va Posts: 56 Drives: 2010 plt spt roadstr Rep Power: 15	Dip stick I have found reading the oil level in my 2010 z is little tricky. 1.Find a level spot in your drive way or somewhere you have access to for future dip stick readings 2.I have found that I can read the car’s dip stick 15 to 30 minutes after engine shut off and get a completely different read when the car is totally cold. 3.After your oil change, drive car to ground zero and measure dip stick. 4.After fill ups or really after a long trip measure dip stick. You would be surprise how many different reading in places I thought were level. Reading the dip stick at the same place will give you the best read. I made a 1,800 mile trip from Virginia to Florida(Orlando, Miami, Fort laudable) and back and my readings were a little under the H and over the top hole. l

09-08-2014, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Arrvaxx A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Whore Island, MN Posts: 1,243 Drives: 40th F.I. Twin Turbo Rep Power: 18	I'm glad I am not alone...at least we can be crazy together. onzedge likes this. __________________ 2010 370Z 40th Anniversary (#480 born 1/19/2010) Fast Intentions Twin Turbo \| Varis Arising II \| Limited Edition Recaro Sportster \| Tuned by Specialty Z \| 604hp 525 torque @14lbs boost on 100 octane

09-08-2014, 06:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
DjSquall A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tottenham, ON Age: 36 Posts: 1,340 Drives: My first car Rep Power: 22	It takes quite some time for your engine to completely cool off and for the oil to slowly flow back to the oil pan. __________________ My Z did p0rn

09-08-2014, 07:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
aszyd Track Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 877 Drives: Magma Red 370z T+S Rep Power: 21	The FSM says to start the car and warm the engine. Then shut it off and let it cool for 10 minutes. Then check the oil. They don't specify what "warm" is though. Is warm when the coolant temp reaches normal operating level, or when the oil temp does, say 180F? __________________ Competition Clutch\|Fast Intentions\|Maxbore\|NST\|Setrab\|Stillen\|Tomei\|Uprev\| Z1 Avant Garde\|SPC\|Stance\|Whiteline Aerojacket\|Seibon\|Tanabe\|TRS\|TWM

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09-08-2014, 06:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
mishuko A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: bouncin on tigga Posts: 8,062 Drives: '12 Z Rep Power: 9435	I measured it on my driveway and it was under the L then I realized I'm an idiot and it has to be flat... I was OCD and checking my oil before every drive when I first go her (was used originally) and now once every 1000km or so. On that note I use the same spot in my garage now and I get about .5 cm below the H mark and it has dipped a bit lower over time and I notice the oil turning darker. I keep a quart of oil JUST in case.

09-08-2014, 06:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	measure it in the am before starting the car. dont even need a paper towel. pull up (not all the way out) and check. done.

09-08-2014, 06:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	the only time it's tricky to read is after pouring fresh oil during oil change. but if you use the 5qt jug, just pour the whole thing in. lol

09-08-2014, 11:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Limeybastard A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: FL and London UK. Posts: 1,514 Drives: 2014 370Z Sport. Rep Power: 17	I was always told to measure on flat surface after car has cooled down a little. The Z is funny as even bone cold meaning 20 hours later the level is still on full. Even after driving its still same.