car level and engine oil reading on dipstick

[kw88keys]

I own the 2014 RSpec and notice that just a minor change in the level of the car (ex. sitting in a slightly graded parking space) can show a false reading of up to 1 quart low on the dipstick. Maybe I'm becoming fixated on this but it's getting to the point where I'm going to start calibrating the car level with my IPhone. Even then, finding a level surface on the car is a challenge. It appears the lighted door plate is the best surface to place a level that is actually parallel to the ground. Just posting this in case others may be tempted to add oil when it actually is not necessary.

 

[kn5owa]

I own the 2014 RSpec and notice that just a minor change in the level of the car (ex. sitting in a slightly graded parking space) can show a false reading of up to 1 quart low on the dipstick. Maybe I'm becoming fixated on this but it's getting to the point where I'm going to start calibrating the car level with my IPhone. Even then, finding a level surface on the car is a challenge. It appears the lighted door plate is the best surface to place a level that is actually parallel to the ground. Just posting this in case others may be tempted to add oil when it actually is not necessary.

Do you check the oil level when the engine is dead cold, or after being driven and permitted to cool down for a few minutes as per the manual recommendation.

The latter procedure (after the engine has warmed up and shut down) gives me a higher reading - maybe because of expansion?

And, it doesn't help that my 5.0 uses a "cable" type dipstick.

 

[kw88keys]

Do you check the oil level when the engine is dead cold, or after being driven and permitted to cool down for a few minutes as per the owner manual recommendation.

The latter procedure (after the engine has warmed up and shut down) gives me a higher reading - maybe because of expansion?

And, it doesn't help that my 5.0 uses a "cable" type dipstick.

These days I check after letting it set overnight and before I start it in the morning - in other words, dead cold. If I followed the instructions as you described above, I could not get a clear reading. I figure that at least if I do it the same each time, I can see if the level is decreasing. That being said, I am pleased with the oil consumption. 14K miles on the car and it uses about 1/4 of a quart or less every 4000 miles (which is how often I change the oil due to mostly city driving).

 

[Mark_888]

Do you check the oil level when the engine is dead cold, or after being driven and permitted to cool down for a few minutes as per the manual recommendation.

The latter procedure (after the engine has warmed up and shut down) gives me a higher reading - maybe because of expansion?

And, it doesn't help that my 5.0 uses a "cable" type dipstick.

I would guess that over time, after the engine is shut off, that oil drains from the surfaces of the engine parts into the drainpan where the oil level is measured. I would expect this to be the cause of a higher reading.

 

[Donovan_787]

These days I check after letting it set overnight and before I start it in the morning - in other words, dead cold. If I followed the instructions as you described above, I could not get a clear reading. I figure that at least if I do it the same each time, I can see if the level is decreasing. That being said, I am pleased with the oil consumption. 14K miles on the car and it uses about 1/4 of a quart or less every 4000 miles (which is how often I change the oil due to mostly city driving).

Is it possible to drop in the motor from your car into a 2012 Genesis R-Spec 5.0 sedan.

 

[Willy P]

I own the 2014 RSpec and notice that just a minor change in the level of the car (ex. sitting in a slightly graded parking space) can show a false reading of up to 1 quart low on the dipstick. Maybe I'm becoming fixated on this but it's getting to the point where I'm going to start calibrating the car level with my IPhone. Even then, finding a level surface on the car is a challenge. It appears the lighted door plate is the best surface to place a level that is actually parallel to the ground. Just posting this in case others may be tempted to add oil when it actually is not necessary.

Excellent info, thanks. I've been worried about this oil level thing on a 2020 V8 G80.

Do you check the oil level when the engine is dead cold, or after being driven and permitted to cool down for a few minutes as per the manual recommendation.

The latter procedure (after the engine has warmed up and shut down) gives me a higher reading - maybe because of expansion?

And, it doesn't help that my 5.0 uses a "cable" type dipstick.

I have the exact same car. 2020 5.0 Ultimate. Added 1/2 a liter at 8,000 KM. Seems almost 1/2 a liter low now at 10,000 KM. As noted, hard to find a level space ! Will use the level on the doorjamb suggestion. Not sure what you mean about a cable type dipstick. Mine is a regular dipstick like we've all had for 40 years or so..