checking the oil
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From: knoxville, TN
checking the oil
Ok here's a weird question....
when is the best time to check the oil? I checked the oil, after the car had been sitting for a couple of hrs, and the dipstick read 1/2 between L and H, so I added some oil. I noticed there was some smoke from the tailpipes (I know, these run rich) so I checked the oil again, after the car been running and the oil was above the H. Should I drain some oil? I don't think that I am burning oil, it does't smell nor look like oil (the smoke from the back) but then again, I know had bad it is to run it with too mcuh oil. So which is more accurate? BTW, I have always been taught that the oil reading after the car has been sitting is the most accurate, but I just wanted to make sure.
Thanks,
10blade2k1
when is the best time to check the oil? I checked the oil, after the car had been sitting for a couple of hrs, and the dipstick read 1/2 between L and H, so I added some oil. I noticed there was some smoke from the tailpipes (I know, these run rich) so I checked the oil again, after the car been running and the oil was above the H. Should I drain some oil? I don't think that I am burning oil, it does't smell nor look like oil (the smoke from the back) but then again, I know had bad it is to run it with too mcuh oil. So which is more accurate? BTW, I have always been taught that the oil reading after the car has been sitting is the most accurate, but I just wanted to make sure.
Thanks,
10blade2k1
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From: Camarillo
How much over the H is it. I've driven with maybe 1/2 of an x over without (seemingly) any harm. If it looks like it's 1/2 quart over, then I would drain some if I were you.
Seemed like you checked the oil correctly, but many have had problems checking oil. Some oil may have gotten scrapped off the stick as you were pulling it out. I check both sides of the dip stick and do it a few times to see if the readings are consistant. I also look very closely to make sure there is no oil stuck on the edges of the dipstick. If there is, I do it again.
Seemed like you checked the oil correctly, but many have had problems checking oil. Some oil may have gotten scrapped off the stick as you were pulling it out. I check both sides of the dip stick and do it a few times to see if the readings are consistant. I also look very closely to make sure there is no oil stuck on the edges of the dipstick. If there is, I do it again.
Joined: Mar 2001
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Checking the oil level on this car seems to have more than just a few owner's flustered.
The owner's manual says to check the oil when it is warm or hot. I don't like this but I'll say more on this in a moment. When you're at the gas station getting fuel, stop the engine and immediately pull the dipstick out and clean it. Leave it out. Go do your fueling. Then put the dip stick in and take a read. Leaving it these few minutes with the stick out lets the oil in and around the tip of the dipstick to drip away so that when you do take the reading you don't drag it back up and make reading it a real mystery. Once you've done this a couple of times or enough to know that the level is acurate, then do the following the very next morning. Don't VTEC a lot between now and the morning (or you'll use up oil).
Next morning:
Before starting the car, check the oil. You now have a reference for what it should look like cold as compared to what it looks like when done "Honda's" way. I find it far easier to check the oil before the first start of the day after the oil has had a good long time to drain back down, including the dribbles that always seem to hang around the tip of the stick, making it hard to do a good read.
Myself, I have found no significant difference between checking using either of the stated methods.
The owner's manual says to check the oil when it is warm or hot. I don't like this but I'll say more on this in a moment. When you're at the gas station getting fuel, stop the engine and immediately pull the dipstick out and clean it. Leave it out. Go do your fueling. Then put the dip stick in and take a read. Leaving it these few minutes with the stick out lets the oil in and around the tip of the dipstick to drip away so that when you do take the reading you don't drag it back up and make reading it a real mystery. Once you've done this a couple of times or enough to know that the level is acurate, then do the following the very next morning. Don't VTEC a lot between now and the morning (or you'll use up oil).
Next morning:
Before starting the car, check the oil. You now have a reference for what it should look like cold as compared to what it looks like when done "Honda's" way. I find it far easier to check the oil before the first start of the day after the oil has had a good long time to drain back down, including the dribbles that always seem to hang around the tip of the stick, making it hard to do a good read.
Myself, I have found no significant difference between checking using either of the stated methods.
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From: knoxville, TN
[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
[B]Checking the oil level on this car seems to have more than just a few owner's flustered.
The owner's manual says to check the oil when it is warm or hot.
[B]Checking the oil level on this car seems to have more than just a few owner's flustered.
The owner's manual says to check the oil when it is warm or hot.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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OK, this whole thread got me wondering again since it's been a very long time since I've actually checked the oil when it's warm/hot so I did it today. Did the check after the car sat OFF for about 3-4 minutes.
My oil level when checked HOT is 1-1.5 "X's" BELOW when it's checked COLD. This is in keeping with every instinct that I've acquired after 35 years of car ownership and car wrenching. The level should read lower HOT than it should COLD (when it's had hours and hours to drain back down into the oil pan).
If you are reading higher when HOT, I think you are reading "splash over" onto the dipstick, hence, pull the dipstick out ASAP after you turn off the engine to allow the oil around the dipstick tip to drip down.
I suggest you check the oil after it sits overnight. If it reads full, it's only 1-1.5 "X's" less than what Honda wants you to have. I'd leave it at that.
ps. checking with the dipstick handle in either direction results in the same reading.
My oil level when checked HOT is 1-1.5 "X's" BELOW when it's checked COLD. This is in keeping with every instinct that I've acquired after 35 years of car ownership and car wrenching. The level should read lower HOT than it should COLD (when it's had hours and hours to drain back down into the oil pan).
If you are reading higher when HOT, I think you are reading "splash over" onto the dipstick, hence, pull the dipstick out ASAP after you turn off the engine to allow the oil around the dipstick tip to drip down.
I suggest you check the oil after it sits overnight. If it reads full, it's only 1-1.5 "X's" less than what Honda wants you to have. I'd leave it at that.
ps. checking with the dipstick handle in either direction results in the same reading.
