reading oil level dipstick - LotusTalk

bluejae · 06-04-2008, 07:22 AM

well i've changed my oil again this past weekend and i don't know if it's just me but i always have difficulty reading the dipstick. i don't know if it is the angle the dipstick is at when you try to pull it out for a reading but the oil on it seems to be so blotchy.

how are you guys doing it?

EpRAnGia · 06-04-2008, 07:33 AM

I'm doing fine... even under low light they seem to be ok to read.

Lotusmotion · 06-04-2008, 07:39 AM

Funny, and I thought it was just me.

I pull the dipstick two or three times to get a reliable oil level reading....particularly right after an oil change.

TimMullen · 06-04-2008, 11:11 AM

I'm assuming that you mean that it's difficult to see the new clean oil on the dipstick - this has been discussed before.

If that is the case, there is an old trick. Pull the dipstick out and set it on a clean paper towel in your hand (you're going to need it to wipe the stick anyway). The oil will seep from the dipstick onto the towel, and you can easily see where the oil level is on the towel next to the dipstick.

It's something gas station attendants used to do way back in the old days when they actually pumped your gas and checked your oil...

lotus270 · 06-04-2008, 04:25 PM

Had the same problem with mine and I cross-hatched the bottom between the marks with an awl and a straight edge on both sides. Makes it much easier to see the oil level when you pull it out.

Jim

bluejae · 06-04-2008, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

I'm assuming that you mean that it's difficult to see the new clean oil on the dipstick - this has been discussed before.

If that is the case, there is an old trick. Pull the dipstick out and set it on a clean paper towel in your hand (you're going to need it to wipe the stick anyway). The oil will seep from the dipstick onto the towel, and you can easily see where the oil level is on the towel next to the dipstick.

It's something gas station attendants used to do way back in the old days when they actually pumped your gas and checked your oil...

actually that's not what i was talking about. i can see the clean oil but it seems like it gets smeared so i can't get a good reading.

TimMullen · 06-05-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluejae

actually that's not what i was talking about. i can see the clean oil but it seems like it gets smeared so i can't get a good reading.

Pull the dips stick out. Wipe it off. Stick it back in and quickly pull it back out again. You should get a good reading. Sometimes I have to repeat the process several times to get a good reading - and it's not just limited to the Elise.

If after doing all that, it's still smeared all over the stick, you're going to have to wait for the oil in the tube to flow back down so it doesn't smear on the stick as you pull it back out again.

Not much you can do about that...

Johnny B · 06-05-2008, 11:40 AM

It's all depends on what dipstick your car has.

There's a Touring dipstick and a Sport Pack dipstick.

The Touring dipstick is more comfortable to use where the Sport Pack dipstick is more precise and direct.

TimMullen · 06-05-2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny B

It's all depends on what dipstick your car has.

There's a Touring dipstick and a Sport Pack dipstick.

The Touring dipstick is more comfortable to use where the Sport Pack dipstick is more precise and direct.

Just asking for it are you?...

Johnny B · 06-05-2008, 03:25 PM

Temptation got the best of me!

goelise · 06-05-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny B

It's all depends on what dipstick your car has.

There's a Touring dipstick and a Sport Pack dipstick.

The Touring dipstick is more comfortable to use where the Sport Pack dipstick is more precise and direct.

yeah its a '08 feature.

bluejae · 06-05-2008, 04:02 PM

does the sport pack dipstick come in carbon fiber?

raggedy1 · 06-05-2008, 05:03 PM

just be thankful we have a dipstick. bmw has taken that away from owners, right?

agirls · 08-01-2008, 12:46 PM

So, I feel like a dumbass, but since my last service (oil change) at the dealer, I can't pull the dipstick out so I can't check the oil. Before I call or drive to the dealer, I thought I'd ask here, am I missing something? Yes, I'm female, but I'm not dumb and I have checked the oil before.

fpitas · 08-01-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agirls

So, I feel like a dumbass, but since my last service (oil change) at the dealer, I can't pull the dipstick out so I can't check the oil. Before I call or drive to the dealer, I thought I'd ask here, am I missing something? Yes, I'm female, but I'm not dumb and I have checked the oil before.

Did you try twisting it a bit as you pull?

agirls · 08-01-2008, 06:16 PM

Yup, I twisted in both directions while pulling. I was rocking the car I was pulling so hard. So, I swallowed my pride and called the dealership. The associate put me on hold while he went and talked to Ritchie. When he came back, he was laughing on the phone and said, "are you sure you are pulling the right handle? It should come right out." I replied, "Dude, it's the only yellow handle." "Okay, why don't you stop by." So I drove the 45 minutes to the dealer and Tom comes out to give it a pull. He also rocks the car as he's tugging away but it doesn't budge. He then called for Richie. He comes on out, and throws an arm under the hood to pull on the dip stick. Nothing. He rearranges his body positioning and tries again and doesn't come back up till he's got the dip stick. Ha Ha! He looks at it and says, "well, there's your problem; the oring is dried out." There you go, I had a dried out oring. He lubed it up, checked the oil for me, and sent me on my way.

I still feel like a dumbass though for having to go to the dealer to have my oil checked, lol. Oh well.

ZAMMY1 · 08-02-2008, 03:27 PM

at least it wasn't easy for him, either.

sam

fpitas · 08-06-2008, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZAMMY1

at least it wasn't easy for him, either.

sam

Yeah, you had the last laugh, for what it's worth.

06-04-2008, 07:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
bluejae Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,020	reading oil level dipstick well i've changed my oil again this past weekend and i don't know if it's just me but i always have difficulty reading the dipstick. i don't know if it is the angle the dipstick is at when you try to pull it out for a reading but the oil on it seems to be so blotchy. how are you guys doing it? __________________ KG Exige Delivered 5-9-2006 POLL:check for scratches "in" your headlights Excessive tire wear? It may be your alignment My Example Hiro's Example codymac's Example to be installed: stebel horn, fumoto valve current mods: arqray twin muffler, itg intake, 3M film full wrap and full rockers by X-Perts, rear lotus letters removed, locking gas cap, CF Mirror Covers, CF Side Scoops, black lotus nose/wheel badges future mods:wheels, forced induction

06-04-2008, 07:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
EpRAnGia Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 203	I'm doing fine... even under low light they seem to be ok to read. __________________ 2008 Exige S240 - Aspen White, Touring pack, LSD, Titanium Arqray Single Tip Exhaust, Von Hep rear panel eliminator, and more to come 2004 ChilliRed Mini Cooper

06-04-2008, 07:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lotusmotion Keep it simple and real Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 822	Funny, and I thought it was just me. I pull the dipstick two or three times to get a reliable oil level reading....particularly right after an oil change. __________________ '06 Exige - Ph. Black/Touring/Track/LSD/TC/SS. Mods: corner balanced - RTD brace - Manly's inserts - decambered - Pagid Blacks - Motul fluid - tow hooks - Schroth belts - extinguisher - AIM timer - Green Filter - Larini - oil temp & pressure gauges - AO48s & Rotas on track - T1Rs & OEM wheels on street - rear camera & monitor - Stebel horn - speakers upgraded, sub & iPod controller - DRL disable switch - aux. fuse panel - sill pockets - leather console - Bootie - roof scoop functional.

06-04-2008, 11:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
TimMullen Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 10,690 Images: 19	I'm assuming that you mean that it's difficult to see the new clean oil on the dipstick - this has been discussed before. If that is the case, there is an old trick. Pull the dipstick out and set it on a clean paper towel in your hand (you're going to need it to wipe the stick anyway). The oil will seep from the dipstick onto the towel, and you can easily see where the oil level is on the towel next to the dipstick. It's something gas station attendants used to do way back in the old days when they actually pumped your gas and checked your oil... __________________ Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels. I love being married. It's so great to find that one person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/ 05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple. 94 Miata R Package - Black 72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White

06-05-2008, 11:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
Johnny B No, it's not a Ford Lotus Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,611	It's all depends on what dipstick your car has. There's a Touring dipstick and a Sport Pack dipstick. The Touring dipstick is more comfortable to use where the Sport Pack dipstick is more precise and direct. __________________

06-04-2008, 04:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
lotus270 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Owings Mills, MD Posts: 143	Had the same problem with mine and I cross-hatched the bottom between the marks with an awl and a straight edge on both sides. Makes it much easier to see the oil level when you pull it out. Jim

06-05-2008, 03:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Johnny B No, it's not a Ford Lotus Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,611	Temptation got the best of me! __________________

06-05-2008, 04:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
bluejae Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,020	does the sport pack dipstick come in carbon fiber? __________________ KG Exige Delivered 5-9-2006 POLL:check for scratches "in" your headlights Excessive tire wear? It may be your alignment My Example Hiro's Example codymac's Example to be installed: stebel horn, fumoto valve current mods: arqray twin muffler, itg intake, 3M film full wrap and full rockers by X-Perts, rear lotus letters removed, locking gas cap, CF Mirror Covers, CF Side Scoops, black lotus nose/wheel badges future mods:wheels, forced induction

06-05-2008, 05:03 PM	#13 (permalink)
raggedy1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: belmont Posts: 3,796	just be thankful we have a dipstick. bmw has taken that away from owners, right? __________________ It's Delux son, Delux. It's not that hard. http://itsdeluxson.com/

08-01-2008, 12:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
agirls Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Santa Paula, CA Posts: 202 Images: 73	So, I feel like a dumbass, but since my last service (oil change) at the dealer, I can't pull the dipstick out so I can't check the oil. Before I call or drive to the dealer, I thought I'd ask here, am I missing something? Yes, I'm female, but I'm not dumb and I have checked the oil before. __________________ 07 Lotus Exige S Chrome Orange

08-01-2008, 06:16 PM	#16 (permalink)
agirls Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Santa Paula, CA Posts: 202 Images: 73	Yup, I twisted in both directions while pulling. I was rocking the car I was pulling so hard. So, I swallowed my pride and called the dealership. The associate put me on hold while he went and talked to Ritchie. When he came back, he was laughing on the phone and said, "are you sure you are pulling the right handle? It should come right out." I replied, "Dude, it's the only yellow handle." "Okay, why don't you stop by." So I drove the 45 minutes to the dealer and Tom comes out to give it a pull. He also rocks the car as he's tugging away but it doesn't budge. He then called for Richie. He comes on out, and throws an arm under the hood to pull on the dip stick. Nothing. He rearranges his body positioning and tries again and doesn't come back up till he's got the dip stick. Ha Ha! He looks at it and says, "well, there's your problem; the oring is dried out." There you go, I had a dried out oring. He lubed it up, checked the oil for me, and sent me on my way. I still feel like a dumbass though for having to go to the dealer to have my oil checked, lol. Oh well. __________________ 07 Lotus Exige S Chrome Orange

08-02-2008, 03:27 PM	#17 (permalink)
ZAMMY1 ZAMMY Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: washington, pa, (near PGH.) Posts: 1,212	at least it wasn't easy for him, either. sam __________________ Sam Mayberry, W3CYO/R, resident curmudgeon. aspen white '06 elise, now with hinged rear clam! nice! youtube: sam's jet turbine scooter

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