DaddyCee Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Ok. have owned my 350Z roadster for nearly two years now and still can't tell the reading on the dipstick. Just got a friend to take a look and with his garage experience I would have thought he could have told. My dipstick looked as though the oil was low, but the oil pressure gauge still read 60 at 60mph in 6th gear, which I thought meant everything was normal. Can anyone shed some light on this with some useful pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Oil pressure should never be taken as oil level. That's not to say I didn't used to do it, but it's only because I was taking regular readings with the (crappy!) dipstick and I got to know the engine. That was on a Revup though. It's still a Very Bad Idea to do that! You're not alone mate, the dipstick is useless and sometimes it really is best guess. Best way to do it is to drain the oil, refill with exactly 4.7L (IIRC?) and then see what the stick says. At least that way you know what you're looking for when it's bang on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 I like the way Dan was 1st to reply, given the title of the thread Although I wish it'd been whacky will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Who ever designed the Zed DE dipstick is a dipstick..! I check all levels every week, but I dip the dipstick a few times before I'm satisfied with the result... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 4.9 litres BTW. I literally change mine ever 6 months so I don't go mad taking readings. Far easier! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemansim Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 If you check it first thing in the morning it's not as hard to read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 4.9 litres BTW. I literally change mine ever 6 months so I don't go mad taking readings. Far easier! I was close then! To be fair I've not had to do it in over three years 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonCool Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 I agree. It's a real sod to read. One reading looks full, the next looks low - I end up taking about 20 readings to try and guage the real level but I'm never 100% sure.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteman35 Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Go for a drive get the car nice and warm. Come back leave it for 20 minutes you will get a lot more accurate readings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 After the car has sat on level ground over night I read the oil level this way: pull the dipstick out first ~ wipe it clean ~ stick it back in & wait 10 seconds ~ then pull the dipstick out really, really, really slowly to get my reading. Pretty confident that works but occasionally have to repeat this procedure a few times just to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 After the car has sat on level ground over night I read the oil level this way: pull the dipstick out first ~ wipe it clean ~ stick it back in & wait 10 seconds ~ then pull the dipstick out really, really, really slowly to get my reading. Pretty confident that works but occasionally have to repeat this procedure a few times just to be sure. Your missing the part where you pull it out and it wipes oil all over your intake pipe....Grrr! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 After the car has sat on level ground over night I read the oil level this way: pull the dipstick out first ~ wipe it clean ~ stick it back in & wait 10 seconds ~ then pull the dipstick out really, really, really slowly to get my reading. Pretty confident that works but occasionally have to repeat this procedure a few times just to be sure. Your missing the part where you pull it out and it wipes oil all over your intake pipe....Grrr! I usually put one or two pieces of kitchen roll over it to protect it. Also I forgot to add that I have to use a work lamp just to see the hole where you stick the dipstick back in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Here you go From 3.5 years ownership experience, I'd definitely wait more than the 10 minutes Nissan suggest. Always check mine first thing in the morning after the oil has had time to completely settle overnight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arran Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Am I the only one who doesnt think its that hard to read Do it when the car as been left overnight, is completely level (use the power steering tank as a spirit level) and its easy to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATTAK Z Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 (edited) Who ever designed the Zed DE dipstick is a dipstick..! Where did you get that quote from Wacky ? Next you'll be telling everyone that your lucky number is 1.618 :lol: Edited December 20, 2013 by ATTAK Z 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilogikal1 Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Am I the only one who doesnt think its that hard to read No, no you're not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Am I the only one who doesnt think its that hard to read No, no you're not. Yeah the guy who designed it thinks it's great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arran Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 It really isn't difficult though 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMballistic Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 It really isn't difficult though No it's not I do agree ~ more awkward though than anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhackyWill Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Who ever designed the Zed DE dipstick is a dipstick..! Where did you get that quote from Wacky ? Next you'll be telling everyone that your lucky number is 1.618 :lol: Its in the "quote me happy" book for Zeds.. :lol: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizurd Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Leave it over night and you'll get a clean (ish) reading from it then. I find if it's been ran anytime within the last hour or so it's all over the dipstick. Need a sight glass like on a bike lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 Does anyone know where I can buy a longer dipstick? The one I've currently got doesn't reach the oil.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted December 20, 2013 Share Posted December 20, 2013 I drive mine around really fast for 2 hours then jack it up and drain the oil into a measuring jug, top up as needed and then go for another 2 hour drive to check temps and pressure. I can read the dipstick fine if the car has been parked level overnight but where is the fun in that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Am I the only one who doesnt think its that hard to read Do it when the car as been left overnight, is completely level (use the power steering tank as a spirit level) and its easy to read. Perfect Whatever you do don't attempt to read the oil when it's dark or even gloomy without a decent torch at hand as you'll struggle to get the dipstick back in and might even damage it....I had to learn this the hard way Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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