I know this is a common question but after doing a quick google search i am more confused than ever. some like to check cold and some like to check hot. both with good points as to why. maybe the real question is if the x type's motor oil dipstick is calibrated to check when hot or cold?

thank you and aloha for your input on this subject.

 

I always check it ten minutes after running up to normal temps.

 

Cold before start up.

 

What does the manual say? If no mention is made, I would presume that it makes no difference hot/cold, like most cars.

 

If you check it running it will read high, if you check it right after shut down, it will read low. Check your oil cold, or a few min after shut down.

Personally I always check "warm" oil. Run it up to temp, then shut down for about 10 min.

 

The key is to have the oil pooled at the bottom of the reservoir and not still all over inside the moving parts of the engine, which is why you want to give it time, whether hot or cold, to settle and drip back down and get an accurate level measurement. Checking it cold or 10 minutes after engine is warm should both give similar levels.

 

thanks guys. i was curious cause i know some cars like corvettes have special oil checking techniques.

 

OK, now you have to tell us about the Corvette technique.

My vote goes with the hot or cold as long as you give it time to drain.

 

+1 on that..............

 

[QUOTE=Norri;437636]OK, now you have to tell us about the Corvette technique.

stumbled across the corvette forums and read a little while doing research. something about having a dry sump system making it to where you have a certain time frame of checking oil levels. ??? beats me lol

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...-in-a-z06.html

 

Ah yes the CF. One of the most infamous and dangerous discussion boards on the internet. Note the many posts that simply state 'RTFM'.
Read my first post up above. Is the X-type engine dry sump?

 

I've read the manual before. i was just curious to see what you guys thought about it. and as to the x-type's being dry sump? i would be lying if i told you i know anything extensive about the x-type's motor oil system.

 

Highly doubt the X-Type is a dry sump system. Those are typically reserved for high performance vehicles that go through high g-force loads and would need the dry sump system.

I typically check 10-15 minutes after the engine has been fully warmed up or on a cold engine. On my Mercedes, with a digital monitor, unless the engine was cold, or if it was at least 10 minutes after being fully warmed, it wouldn't give you a reading. It would just give a ------ blank readout and you had to wait until you could try again.

 

My Dad's trick after 25 years in the business was to check all cars cold since as he showed me you didn't need to wipe the dip stick because the oil was already pooled in the oil pan.

So you only have to pull the dip stick once not twice.

Handy when you are checking a bunch of cars like the 6-9 he kept in the barn.

If you have enough oil when the engine is cold you will have enough when it is warm.

cheers,

jj

 

X-Type is not a dry sump. And a Dry Sump has nothing to do with g-forces a car goes through. Rather it frees up parasitic drag on the rotating crank allowing for more power. A wet sump, the crank splashes oil every ware, a dry sump uses many more oil squinters or jets to shoot the oil ware it needs to go.

The biggest advantage IMO of a dry sump is not the 15 whp (claimed) over a wet sump same engine, or the faster REV's of the motor, but the fact you can drop the center of gravity. Better OVERALL performance.

 

We're both correct. It does indeed allow for lower center of gravity due and less parasitic drag. However, a dry sump system doesn't have to deal with scavenging and oil starvation since it doesn't have a huge main oil pan to draw from. Under prolonged high cornering loads all the oil would move to one side of the oil pan and the pump would have nothing to work with.