I recently went to check my oil level and when i pulled the dipstick it, wiped it, put it back in, and checked it; there was no oil on it. Only a small amount on the very tip of the dipstick. So I turned the car, let it warm up to three bars, shut it off, and then waited 5 minutes before checking again. Same thing, only a small amount on the very tip of the dipstick. I got an oil change about 1500 miles ago, so there should be plenty of oil in the engine. Just looking for an explanation to why the dipstick is showing that the engine has no oil?

 

It has oil, you're a quart shy of a full pan. I would put some in. If your car is a pre 03 it's normal to burn that much.

 

Fill it back up and check it more regularly, like every time you fill with gas. I would avoid any hard cornering and high rpm use when the oil level gets that low that's when the damage can occur.

I think the very bottom of the dipstick is more than one quart shy, the bottom of the H XXXX L range is closer to one quart shy, but the bottom of the dipstick is more like 2 quarts shy. That is the dangerous zone.

 

I top up my oil regularly, like once a week. I'd say I add around 2 quarts between oil changes, and I do my oil changes every 5,000km's (3,100 miles)

Also, on every single car ever made it's exactly a quart from the low hashmark to the high hashmark, or L to F, or dot to dot, or whatever other form the dipstick can vary from.

 

Make this a habit, OP.

 

Yikes! That is no good! AP1s consume oil and must be checked frequently.

 

Just curious, how long have you owned the car and was that your first oil change?

 

On a lot of other cars 1,500 miles seems like nothing on oil; however, on our s2000s 1,500 miles could burn through a quart of oil or more depending on how you drive. There is nothing wrong with the dipstick, if that's what you are asking, the car is simply low on oil! The dipstick looks like this
|H<><><><><>L|
When you are at the L mark, you are exactly one quart shy. Burning through a quart of oil in 1,500 is not uncommon, so there is nothing to be alarmed about. If you want your engine to last, you should top her off. Make it a habit to check the oil every time you get gas or every 400 miles.

Dip sticks don't lie! BUT! They do have two sides.
Meaning- Make sure you check both sides and go with the lowest reading.

 

I know AP1's burn oil, but JEEBUS!

My oil is still at the full mark after 6 track days and 2 AutoX's, plus some street driving.

 

It seems the oil burning is more prone to happen on pre 03 s2k's.