What is the correct method to measure engine oil?
4 Answers
Here is the correct way to check engine oil: 1. Smell test. Pull out the dipstick and smell it closely. If there is a strong sour odor, it indicates the oil has deteriorated and should be changed. 2. Rubbing method. Rub the extracted old oil repeatedly between your thumb and forefinger. Good-quality oil will feel lubricated, produce little residue, and have no friction. If you feel impurities, poor viscosity, or even a gritty sensation, it should be changed. 3. Color test. Take a clean white filter paper (or a good-quality tissue), drip a few drops of old oil on it, and observe the color after the oil has seeped through. Good-quality oil will have no powder, feel dry and smooth to the touch, and show a clear yellow infiltration zone. If it appears dark brown or has impurities, it should be changed. 4. Light test. Hold the dipstick at a 45-degree angle under light and observe the oil droplets. If you can clearly see no residue in the droplets, the oil is still good. If there is a lot of residue, it should be changed.
Checking engine oil requires some finesse, and I always do it when the engine is cold. First, park on level ground and turn off the engine, then wait about ten minutes to let the oil drain back into the oil pan. When pulling out the dipstick, be sure to wipe off any residual oil with a clean cloth, then fully reinsert it before slowly pulling it out again. The ideal oil level should be between the upper and lower marks, slightly closer to the upper mark. If it's below the minimum line, top it up immediately with the same type of oil. Once, I forgot to wipe the dipstick, leading to an inaccurate reading and wasting half a liter of oil. Now, I check it every time I refuel, also paying attention to the oil's color—if it's too thin or too dark, it's time for maintenance.
Three simple steps to check: Park on a level surface, turn off the engine, and wait 5 minutes for the oil to settle. Pull out the yellow-ringed dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, then pull it out again to check. The oil level is normal if the oil film is between the two marked lines. Beginners often forget to wipe the dipstick before reading, which can cause errors. Once after maintenance, my oil level reached the upper limit, and the mechanic said overfilling could damage the oil seals, so some had to be drained. It's recommended to check every two weeks for signs of emulsification or metal particles in the oil, which indicate engine issues.
This is how I always check the engine oil level. The car must be parked on level ground with the engine turned off and cooled down. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and reinsert it fully to get an accurate reading. The ideal oil level is between the two marks - if it's too close to the lower mark, you need to add oil, but never exceed the upper limit. One winter when temperatures were below freezing, the oil level appeared low, but after warming up the engine, it returned to normal due to thermal contraction. For the most accurate measurement, I recommend checking the oil level in the morning before driving.
