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When checking the oil

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Old 01-13-2008 | 06:31 PM
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When checking the oil

Just checked my oil today for the first time @ 656 miles.

No white foam on there. Looked pretty clean. However, it was pretty damn hard to tell where the hell the oil WAS. I just couldn't tell whether or not it was low or full. I tried my hardest to see, but to no avail. I ended up just guestimating and adding about 1/2 a quart.

Is that normal to add 1/2 a quart @ 600-700 miles?

The Oil Meter on the dash has not moved at all either... Broken sensor...?

Last edited by fugg; 01-13-2008 at 06:59 PM.
Old 01-13-2008 | 06:37 PM
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It's hard to see the oil on the dip stick without some powerful lighting. I use a trouble light or an LED flashlight when it's not bright out.
Old 01-13-2008 | 06:40 PM
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A lot of cars have the same dip stick issue....glasses also help...!
Old 01-13-2008 | 07:02 PM
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The Oil Meter on the dash has not moved at all either... Broken sensor...?

It's a idiot gauge, only moves when very low.
Old 01-13-2008 | 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by fugg
Just checked my oil today for the first time @ 656 miles.

The Oil Meter on the dash has not moved at all either... Broken sensor...?
lol, it cant be broken if it never worked in the 1st place...that meter is there just for eye candy, its useless...i wonder if i completely drain the oil and move the key to the on position would it still stay past the mid mark???
Old 01-13-2008 | 07:17 PM
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Why cant people search the site, Or simply Rtfm !!!!!!!!

WHY ?! WHY !!!!!! ?????
Old 01-13-2008 | 07:25 PM
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^because it is easier to post stupid questions.
Old 01-13-2008 | 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 4me2
^because it is easier to post stupid questions.
GOD, if there is one, PLEASE ANSWER ME !! I DONT WANT NO HUMANS TO ANSWER ME !

PLEASE GOD ANSWER ME PLEASE !!!!
Old 01-13-2008 | 09:48 PM
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^ what do you want from me now.
Old 01-13-2008 | 09:52 PM
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When you pull it out, wipe your dipstick clean. Then stick it back in the engine and pull it out again.
Old 01-13-2008 | 09:58 PM
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OP, we all know the dipstick is a crappy design, but all you have to do is search this forum and you will find all your answers. OK
Old 01-13-2008 | 09:59 PM
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There is NO oil meter.

May I just repeat that for the slower amongst us - there is NO oil meter.

The gauge measures (very roughly) oil pressure.

The only way the gauge would react to a low level, is where you have NO oil, therefore no pressure.

Just top it up and don't overthink the problem......


S
Old 01-13-2008 | 10:01 PM
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Ah yet another reason why this site has jumped the shark.

1) Yes, 1/2 quart at 600 to 700 miles is entirely within reason.

2) I agree it's hard to see the oil level on the dipstick, especially when the engine is new and the oil is clean. What I do is pull the stick, wipe it, put it back, pull it again, and this time I blot the stick on a paper towel (note blot, not wipe) and then compare the resulting oil print against the stick's markings. Works like a charm.

3) The "oil meter" on the dash is not a "full-empty" gauge like a gas gauge. It supposedly is an oil pressure gauge - measuring oil pressure in the engine. That said, it only registers two things - either pressure or none - with only two places the needle can be - pegged at zero or at the 6/10's point on the scale.

There is an oil-level warning light should the oil level get about a half-quart below the "add" line - indicating the engine is 1.5 quarts low.
Old 01-13-2008 | 10:03 PM
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Fugg - As Turbo says, wipe the stick clean and re-dip. And, as others have said, the stick can be hard to read when the car is new and oil is clean. Shine a light on it, look for where it's shiny.

The gauge is not an oil level gauge. It shows oil pressure. As others have said, it's not really useful: just shows one position when there's pressure. Kind of an idiot light. If that gauge ever drops, there's no oil pressure and you're in big trouble. Shut it off immediately.

The 8 does have a warning light that goes on if the oil level is too low. Not good to let it get that low, but you can keep driving til you get someplace with oil to add.

Don't mind nycgps. He's a good guy, very knowledgable, very helpful. Just carries that New York City ambiance.

Ken
Old 01-13-2008 | 10:06 PM
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Wow you guys... It's oil pressure.

Last edited by architect; 07-14-2008 at 11:54 AM.
Old 01-13-2008 | 10:14 PM
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Originally Posted by ken-x8
Fugg -
Don't mind nycgps. He's a good guy, very knowledgable, very helpful. Just carries that New York City ambiance.

Ken
heh. all good. gotta start somewhere. I was going to post another noob question, but I'll save that for a rainy day.

thanks for the info guys.
Old 01-13-2008 | 10:38 PM
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I don't think his problem with reading the oil has to do with lighting or procedure. I think it's just that figuring out the oil line is difficult in general for all cars if you don't have experience and therefore don't know what to look for.

Of course use a flashlight or gas station lights or natural sunlight to help. But basically you're looking for ANY SIGN OF OIL. Wherever there's the slightest bit of oil, then the oil line extends to that point. On the other side of the oil line should be ABSOLUTELY NO OIL. There's no guessing or guess-timating or averaging a messy fuzzy line. It's not about a fuzzy line. Wherever there's even a little bit of oil, then the oil line includes that.

The oil may be a very thin layer but it will glisten a little under the lighting. Where there's no oil you can see the metal but without as much gloss. Look for the discernible contrast line between the glistening oil and the lack of.

Last edited by Startl_Respons; 01-13-2008 at 10:41 PM.
Old 01-14-2008 | 07:18 PM
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Remember there is 1.8qts between the "F" and "L" marks on the dip stick and there is no reason to add half a quart. Wait till its in the bottom half of the span and then add a quart. Don't make it any more complex then it is. I have put over 520K on seven Rotary engines Mazda's and have just changed the oil and filter when it gets near the low mark. Never had to replace one(engine) yet.
Old 01-14-2008 | 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by fugg
heh. all good. gotta start somewhere. I was going to post another noob question, but I'll save that for a rainy day.

thanks for the info guys.
Please no more ! no MORE QUESTIONS !~

I Want an answer god ! Why dont you talk ? WHY !?
Old 01-14-2008 | 09:39 PM
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because god doesn't love you, that's why :P

I've been thinking of crosshatching my dipstick with a dremel or something just so that I get some kind of contrast that will let me know where the damn oil level is! the dipstick has to be one of the worst features of the car, at least you expect bad gas mileage from a sports car...
Old 01-14-2008 | 09:40 PM
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I fill my oil up, all the way to the top, then I don't have to worry about it.
Old 01-14-2008 | 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by daisuke
because god doesn't love you, that's why :P

but but but .... GOD SUPPOSE TO LOVE EVERYBODY !!!!!!

I hate you god ! I HATE YOU !!!!!
Old 01-14-2008 | 10:35 PM
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^ then why make HELL?
Old 01-14-2008 | 11:39 PM
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go away, fat man.
Old 01-14-2008 | 11:46 PM
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Originally Posted by fugg
go away, fat man.
Negative.

Unless you know how to search-before-post.

GOD ! WHERE ARE YOU ?!
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