Does the oil dipstick have a front and back when inserting it back?
2 Answers
The oil dipstick does not have a front or back when inserting it back. The plastic plug on the oil dipstick will have a stopper, and as long as it is inserted to the stopper position, it can be securely fixed. Below are the usage method of the oil dipstick and the replacement cycle of the engine oil: Usage method of the oil dipstick: When checking, park the car properly, tighten the handbrake, start the engine, and when it reaches normal operating temperature, turn off the engine. Wait a few minutes to allow the oil to flow back into the oil pan. Then take out the oil dipstick, wipe it dry, insert it back, and take it out again to check the oil level. If the oil level is between the upper and lower limit marks on the lower end of the dipstick, it indicates the oil level is normal. If it is below the lower limit mark, add an appropriate amount of engine oil. Replacement cycle of engine oil: Mineral oil can meet the daily lubrication needs of the engine, with a replacement cycle of 5,000 kilometers or 6 months. Semi-synthetic oil not only provides lubrication but also has certain cleaning and repair functions, with a replacement cycle of 7,500 kilometers or 9 months. Fully synthetic oil not only has lubrication, cleaning, and repair functions but also strong environmental adaptability, with a replacement cycle of 10,000 kilometers or 1 year.
I check the engine oil of my old car every week. As for the front and back sides of the dipstick, most cars actually don't distinguish between them. The dipstick tube is usually designed with circular symmetry, so you can insert it either way. The key is to push it all the way in for an accurate reading. Once, I was lazy and didn't insert it fully, which made me mistakenly think the oil was half a liter low. However, newer cars might be different. Last time I drove my friend's SUV with electronic sensors, his maintenance manual indicated an arrow direction, saying that misalignment could affect detection accuracy. I suggest everyone try rotating the dipstick a few times after checking the oil to ensure it moves smoothly and is fully seated. It's also important to regularly check the dipstick tube for sludge buildup to prevent deformation over time, which could affect sealing.
