Essential Knowledge Checking Engine Oil Hot or Cold

It seems that the oil level should be checked when engine is cold. All the oil is at the bottom so I would get a reading of the true oil level. It's best to check it cold. That way the oil has a chance to drain back into the sump and you a more accurate reading. The Best Time to Check Engine Oil. The ideal engine temperature for an oil check is when the engine is warm and at normal operating temperature. Park your car on level ground and make sure the engine is turned off and cold. Pop the hood and locate the dipstick. Pull the dipstick out of the engine and ... The hot crowd will argue that oil expands when hot, so the best time to check the oil is when the engine is warm. Cold is fine. If you've been driving let it sit for a few minutes to let the oil drain to the pan. If you've been driving there will ... Since the engine was "hot" at the start of the oil change, now we run the engine a few minutes- we are supposed to check the oil with the engine ... We've always told people to check the oil level first thing in the morning when the engine is cold. If you check cold you run into the chance of getting false low readings due to oil getting past the check valve and draining into the crank case. Always check mine cold. Light colored low viscosity oil makes level hard to see at best of times. Like.