Rep Power: 0

Ok So i'm new to Civic's, I go out to do a routine check of the oil, pull out the dipstick, it looks like it needs oil, So I wipe the dipstick and put it back in and then it looks like it needs oil again. I go to start to car and then It shows me it doesn't need oil. But then I put the dip stick in again and it shows me it does need oil then for one last check I put the dipstick back in and check again and it tells me I don't need oil.. What gives. My other car gives me persistent oil readings. So is this normal or??

 
Rep Power: 517

What does your owners manual say?


NO NO NO.
Check oil with the engine OFF.

 
Rep Power: 149

Ezone, he's talking about the transmission.. the short stick.

 
Rep Power: 517

I didn't read where the OP mentioned 'transmission'.

No matter, the transmission is also checked with the engine OFF...as described in the owners manual.






Now I wonder if the oil in OPs other car is very low or overfilled.

 
Rep Power: 149

His other car is a Ford?

 
Rep Power: 0

I initially checked the oil with the engine off. I checked it three times with three different results. I think I solved the problem though. The manual says to let the dipstick sit for a few minutes before checking again.

 
Rep Power: 209

how hard can this be?

drive the car to operating temperature,

park car on level surface,

shut engine off,

wait 2-3 mins,

remove oil dipstick,

wipe oil dipstick off,

insert oil dipstick,

remove oil dipstick and look at reading,

oil level in between low and high marks = do nothing

oil level lower then low mark = add oil till it reads between high and low marks

if you are not capable of such task, never touch your car again

 
Rep Power: 0

Im capable of "such task" just odd having it show two different readings, Like I said i've never had a car show me that before, So I asked about it. But whatever..

 
Rep Power: 209

the level may vary SLIGHTLY if the engine/oil is warm or cold,

best to take the reading warm IMO