View Poll Results: How often do you check your oil?
At every fuel-up or about once a week
3
7.89%
Once or twice a month
4
10.53%
Every few months
8
21.05%
Once a year or so
0
0%
Only immediately following an oil change
8
21.05%
Never
9
23.68%
Only if there is a warning light or strange engine noise
6
15.79%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll
How often do you check your oil?
Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,312
Likes: 584
From: IL
How often do you check your oil?
Since this has come up in a couple of threads in the past week, I figured I'd take the forum's pulse. How often do you check your car's oil level using the dipstick?
I expect the results to be somewhat skewed, given that we are a forum of car enthusiasts and many of us are gearheads, but I still think the results will be enlightening.
I expect the results to be somewhat skewed, given that we are a forum of car enthusiasts and many of us are gearheads, but I still think the results will be enlightening.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
selected 'only after an oil change' because I change the oil myself, otherwise I very rarely check it.
I believe a lot of cars are electronic indication only now - don't even have a dipstick - that was a case on the 2010 Audi I owned - but it had oil consumption issues so I did wind up purchasing a dipstick.
I believe a lot of cars are electronic indication only now - don't even have a dipstick - that was a case on the 2010 Audi I owned - but it had oil consumption issues so I did wind up purchasing a dipstick.
Last edited by bagwell; Nov 20, 2019 at 08:59 AM.
I check the oil on my 2018 periodically (once every 2-3 months), partially due to habit developed from previous cars, but also because this is my first turbocharged engine. Honda's oil dilution issues are more than enough to warrant a 5 minute check every few months for the first few years of ownership.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
On average, about once every 500 miles or so....after the engine has been sitting for some time, preferably overnight so all of the significant oil can drain down into the crankcase (even after sitting, there is usually a thin film of oil on most of the moving parts, unless the engine has not been cranked for maybe several weeks). If the engine is not using any significant amount of oil, there is probably no need to do it any more often than that...but doing it every 500 miles or so will give you an early warning of possible issues to come. (my Verano's 2.4L four developed some signs of that engine's weak rings and well-known oil-use, but they weren't very serious).
Last edited by mmarshall; Nov 20, 2019 at 07:17 PM.
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On average, about once every 500 miles or so....after the engine has been sitting for some time, preferably overnight so all of the significant oil can drain down into the crankcase (even after sitting, there is usually a thin film of oil on most of the moving parts, unless the engine has not been cranked for maybe several weeks).
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,073
Likes: 3,870
From: Maryland
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Warm or cold, the oil is best checked after the engine has been sitting awhile (up to a point, the longer the better), because that gives the oil time to (fully) drain back into the crankcase. This becomes even more important as the engines ages, the oil passages may (?) narrow with sediment, and the oil may not drain through them as freely....particularly if you have not used oil with the proper SAE rating and additives as per the warranty.
When actually changing the oil, yes, it should be warm, because it will flow easier, and more of the old oil (and the dirt with it) will come out of the crankcase through the drain hole. Cold oil, when changing it, will not necessarily get all of the impurities out.
This has not only been my own experience, but also the advice of most technicians and mechanics I've spoken with.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
not what I've read or heard, should be warm...I believe the Audi electronic oil level wouldn't even work when the engine was cold.
I check mine after driving it (up to normal operating temp) then shut off and wait about 10 mins before checking it.....I think its more accurate than checking it cold, altho I've done that as well.
I check mine after driving it (up to normal operating temp) then shut off and wait about 10 mins before checking it.....I think its more accurate than checking it cold, altho I've done that as well.
https://mechanicbase.com/engine-oil/...l-hot-or-cold/
Checking your oil levels will help protect you from any inconveniences during your trip. It can be a great way to stay ahead of any potentially developing problems too, since checking your oil allows you to replace it in a timely manner for more efficient management practice.
The oil temperature will not play a significant part in your results if you can’t account for the heat level. While you can check the consistency of your oil under either temperature extreme, different products will have a varying reaction.
Synthetic oil has a higher rate of expansion and contraction with temperature changes. These blends will be much tighter when cold and could expand even more than expected when hot.
Regular oil will experience normal expansion and contraction, which means you will get around the same readings regardless of temperature.
Newer cars with electronic oil level controller will only measure the engine oil when it is warm and stays at a flat surface level. Therefore it’s recommended to check the engine oil when the engine oil is hot.
Remember: Engine oil can reach temperatures above 120 degrees, and if you are checking the engine oil when it’s hot be very careful to not burn yourself on either the hot engine parts or the engine oil.
You should use a completely dry dipstick to check your oil. The device is calibrated with minimum and maximum oil levels for easier maintenance and accurate oil replacement.
Should you check your oil hot or cold?
The best way is to check the engine oil when it’s warm, but the answer to this question depends on a lot of factors also. One of them is the type of oil that is using and at which outside temperature you have in your country. Both temperatures will give an accurate reading if done well.Checking your oil levels will help protect you from any inconveniences during your trip. It can be a great way to stay ahead of any potentially developing problems too, since checking your oil allows you to replace it in a timely manner for more efficient management practice.
The oil temperature will not play a significant part in your results if you can’t account for the heat level. While you can check the consistency of your oil under either temperature extreme, different products will have a varying reaction.
Synthetic oil has a higher rate of expansion and contraction with temperature changes. These blends will be much tighter when cold and could expand even more than expected when hot.
Regular oil will experience normal expansion and contraction, which means you will get around the same readings regardless of temperature.
Newer cars with electronic oil level controller will only measure the engine oil when it is warm and stays at a flat surface level. Therefore it’s recommended to check the engine oil when the engine oil is hot.
Remember: Engine oil can reach temperatures above 120 degrees, and if you are checking the engine oil when it’s hot be very careful to not burn yourself on either the hot engine parts or the engine oil.
Cold outside temperatures
Whether you use a synthetic blend or regular oil, checking your car when it is very cold outside will affect your readings. To get the best oil readings in single digit weather, you may need to run your engine for a little while before starting the process. You can set your car on idle until it warms up, or check your oil after a short drive.You should use a completely dry dipstick to check your oil. The device is calibrated with minimum and maximum oil levels for easier maintenance and accurate oil replacement.
Last edited by bagwell; Nov 21, 2019 at 07:48 AM.