Dipstick - How do you tell the reading

[DaddyCee]

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.

[Ekona]

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.

[Flex]

I like the way Dan was 1st to reply, given the title of the thread Although I wish it'd been whacky will

[Ekona]

[WhackyWill]

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...

[370Ad]

4.9 litres BTW. I literally change mine ever 6 months so I don't go mad taking readings. Far easier!

[firemansim]

If you check it first thing in the morning it's not as hard to read

[Ekona]

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

[DonCool]

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..

[peteman35]

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

[GMballistic]

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.

[370Ad]

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!

[GMballistic]

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.

[glrnet]

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.

 

[Arran]

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.

[ATTAK Z]

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

[ilogikal1]

Am I the only one who doesnt think its that hard to read

 

No, no you're not.

[GMballistic]

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.

[Arran]

It really isn't difficult though

[GMballistic]

It really isn't difficult though

No it's not I do agree ~ more awkward though than anything.

[WhackyWill]

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:

[wizurd]

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

[14N]

Does anyone know where I can buy a longer dipstick? The one I've currently got doesn't reach the oil....

[Keyser]

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?

[JetSet]

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