Unlocking Engine Health Checking Oil Hot or Cold

Usually it´s recommended to check while hot, as the level that matters is when it´s at operational temperature. Think about it this way. The oil ... As far as when to check it, best to check when warm and after the engine has been shut down. Depends how the dip stick was designed to be ... When you checked it cold, all the oil settled down into the oil pan. When you checked it warm, some of the oil was still suspended higher up ... 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. You could either check it stone cold or (as I believe the owner's manual says) warm, 10-15 minutes after shutting off the engine. When you checked it cold, all the oil settled down into the oil pan. When you checked it warm, some of the oil was still suspended higher up in the engine. The dipstick should need a good push when installing indicating a proper seal. ... Push the dipstick completely into the valve cover and quickly ... Checking it at operating temperature is the correct way to do it. Do what SD Rebel said with regard to going slowly and reading the lower side. You will have ... 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. Check it when hot, it reads half a quart low, fill it to the line so it reads exactly full, then if the level does indeed rise overnight, it's ...