You need to look for the spot on the stick where the oil COMPLETELY covers the entire dip stick, not just streaks on either side. Usually you can follow a streak down to where the oil will fully cover the entire stick from left to right. Flip the stick over to both sides and view the area that is at the highest point BUT COVERS THE ENTIRE WIDTH of the dip stick. If one side of the stick shows a higher level than the other, go with the side that is lower. Again, ignore the streaks and look for the spot where the entire width of the stick is covered in oil.

 

Update: so I've tested the stick again in the morning after sitting overnight. First check on dipstick as soon as I pulled out showed hair below full mark which is where it should be. Some very light streaks on either side but it was pretty clear where the oil line was.

Wiped the stick and check again.. sure enough it's streaky all over and hard to read where the oil line was.

I'll stick to this method for now instead of trying to guess where the oil line is amongst the oil streaks. Thanks to everyone who've replied.

 

I had a excellent discovery last night--

after removing the stick and wiping it off, INSERT IT QUICKLY AND REMOVE IT QUICKLY. You will receive an accurate 'dip' in of your oil you can read---with little to no smudges.

This isn't rocket science, no need to blot papers, or measure how thick one smear is compared to the ore--everyone should be able to check their own oil level accurately.

 

It may help to lightly burnish the surface of the dipstick just enough to take the shine off of it. I did this on another vehicle a few years back for the same reason and it seemed to make locating the oil level much easier. I used some fine emery cloth to dull the surface. YMMV

Using a paper towel to ID the level also works somewhat.

 

IMHO they made the tube too small. They made it just large enough to hold the stick so any oil dragged up the tube when checking the level will get on walls of the tube and all over the stick and make subsequent reads very difficult such as when topping off after an oil change. You have to let it sit a bit. A larger tube would not have this problem.

Steve