Should Engine Oil Be Checked at Idle or After Parking?
2 Answers
Checking engine oil requires the vehicle to be parked. Here are the relevant precautions: 1. When checking the engine oil, ensure the vehicle is parked on a level surface. Before starting the engine, pull out the dipstick to check the oil level, which should be between the upper and lower limits. If it is below the lower limit, add oil of the brand specified in the vehicle's user manual. 2. After the engine is started, the oil in the oil pan is agitated by the crankshaft connecting rod mechanism, splashing everywhere. This not only makes it impossible to measure the accurate oil level but also affects the pressure in the oil chamber, posing risks such as cylinder scoring, bearing seizure, and engine failure.
I've been driving for 20 years, and checking the engine oil must be done after parking and turning off the engine, waiting a few minutes before checking. When the engine is idling, it's running, the oil is hot and splashing around, making it easy to burn your hand. Last time I was in a hurry and checked it while idling, hot oil splashed out and left a scar—I really regret it. When the engine is running, the oil is circulating, and the oil level is completely inaccurate, easily leading to misjudging it as too low or too high, which can damage the engine over time. After parking, wait 5-10 minutes for the oil to settle, then pull out the dipstick steadily to check the level. Don’t forget to check the oil quality while you’re at it—if it’s too black, it’s time to change it. Developing this habit is worry-free and safe, greatly helping with car maintenance. Don’t take shortcuts and risk checking the oil while the engine is idling.
