Top of the top X (actually they are diamonds, not X's) is full.

Touching the H is overfull.

Two things I cannot stress enough...read both sides as mentioned. This car is #1 in the world for false readings due to a layer of oil being picked up off the windage tray. It coats one side of the stick. so you dip the stick into NOTHING, but still take a layer off oil off the windage tray. So read both sides, they must match. Morning cold checking when the car has sat overnight is best to check and avoid false readings. reading both sides as well as morning is key to 0% chane of error.

The second, DO NOT OVERFILL. This engine will suffer oil-hydrolock when the crankshaft slams the excess oil, it becomes airborne and gets sucked into the PCV and the engine piston top-side. I have seen this first hand. This is not a theory

 

Didnt see that pic dwight. showing the diamonds...perfect explanation

dobbsy you should add to the thread title: "Oil level checking/Serious warning"

 

Will have a look and thanks for all the posts

 

The difference between H and L is right at 1 quart, as well.

Being at the L isn't "dangerous low" to the point your engine is going to starve and start trashing bearings, but you really shouldn't keep it there...when you approach L, add enough to get you to the top hash.

Many with S2000s, AP1 models specifically, have run out of oil and trashed their engines. An AP1 will use around 1qt every 1K miles, some more, some less. AP2s may not consume any significant amount at all.

 

Many times do I see notes with customers engine oil samples saying things like "Oil light came on while engine running, damage?"...oh yeah, damage.

 

If your car is driven "spiritedly" more than once a week and are unable to read a dipstick or check your oil and coolant at least once a week, When that day comes for me I'm going to lease a Prius.