when to check oil?
01-02-2006
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when to check oil?
okay most retarded question ever but i couldn't find the answer and the manual is at home. Do you check when the car is warmed up or when cool?
01-02-2006
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Originally Posted by Rennen
i thought that the lower marker was for when it was cool and the top marker was for when it was warm... am i wrong?
thats what i was taught
01-02-2006
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Originally Posted by LowSky
thats what i was taught
NOCheck cold! Top is full, bottom is a quart low!
(Only auto trans and p/s have hot and cold marks)
01-02-2006
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Originally Posted by rEkKaShInObI
warm, learned it from school. Honda's are a little different.
01-02-2006
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Rep Power: 278 Usually cold, though the oil doesn't expand THAT much. It should be between the lines, Hot or cold.
As to WHEN to check the oil? About 8:30 am.
As to WHEN to check the oil? About 8:30 am.
01-02-2006
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Originally Posted by Eclectic
you guys have aftermarket dip sticks or something? because i see no hot/cold lines on mine 
01-02-2006
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Rep Power: 787 also i am guessing it would be different if you wait a lil after driving it vs waiting overnight for all the oil to settle.
01-02-2006
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Rep Power: 284 It says: wait a few minutes after turning the engine off before you check the oil. It should be between the upper and lower marks; if its near or below the lower mark, see Adding Engine Oil on page 152 
I deserve a rep for this 
I deserve a rep for this Last edited by boricua_civic; 01-02-2006 at 08:54 PM.
01-02-2006
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Originally Posted by gearbox
well can anyone look it up in the manual?
?? oil level will only change from cold engine to hot engine with a dry sump.. ?? i think we have different oil system, not sure
01-02-2006
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Rep Power: 303 warm or cold wont make much difference or at least not enough care. yes its possible for it to be different if you let it sit over night, or start it up and then shut it off then check immediately
01-12-2006
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Originally Posted by pon55
Only east coast cars have hot and cold lines!
other than that, i always check when the engine is cold to let the oil settle...
01-13-2006
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Rep Power: 0 I always check after a long sit. Oil when in a running engine is pumped all over the dam place. It settles over time, so to get a true reading without over filling it should sit for a while. You do not want to over fill bad juju happen when too much oil. The temp imo does not matter its the time to let it fully settle. I usually check it before a morning start to make sure it has all settled.
01-13-2006
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Rep Power: 263 warm i assume since the recommendation is to check the oil level when you fill up, so i assume the engine is warm by the time youre at the gas station. i think the same for tranny fluid, and coolant levels.
01-13-2006
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Originally Posted by cg95660
I always check after a long sit. Oil when in a running engine is pumped all over the dam place. It settles over time, so to get a true reading without over filling it should sit for a while. You do not want to over fill bad juju happen when too much oil. The temp imo does not matter its the time to let it fully settle. I usually check it before a morning start to make sure it has all settled.
And you sir have the correct answer!
01-13-2006
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Originally Posted by Echelon04
I have always heard to run the car to get to operating temperature, then wait 10-15 minutes for the oil to drain back down then check it.
01-13-2006
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Rep Power: 285 NO! dont check it warm or after driving/running.
pon55 is 100% correct. oil needs to be checked after car is sitting for a while cus otherwise its still up in the cylinder head and all.
pon55 is 100% correct. oil needs to be checked after car is sitting for a while cus otherwise its still up in the cylinder head and all.
01-13-2006
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Rep Power: 787 ya case being the power steering has hot/cold lines not max/min. also trans fluid should be checked when hot or right after turning the car off assuming it was wamed up. coolant i think you just fill to the max when cold? oil now i know is cold after letting the car sit for a while.
