Checking Oil Levels

[Ram Air]

I own a 5.0 that falls within the build date of "the oil burning issue". Although my car has not had excessive oil use (1 quart every 5000 mile ........ 1 litre every 8000 km) I have monitored it closely since purchase in 2012.
One thing I have noticed in the past month: There is a difference in oil level indication related to how soon you check it after shutdown......... a significant difference!
Example: Left yesterday morning with a reading on the full mark (checked on level garage floor). Travelled 120 miles total and returned home. Five (5) hours after shutdown the level was checked and it was down 1/4 of a quart. I was concerned. Checked it this morning and it reads right on the full mark.
Conclusion: Don't expect to get an accurate reading of the oil level unless it is sitting for at least 12 hours.


P.S. I use the manufacturers recommended oil grade.

 

[qstarweb]

I have been checking mine when the engine is cold, before starting, is that the best time to check and get an accurate measure?

Mine was built early March (I think 5-6) of 2012 so it's in the range of those that have had the oil consumption issue. I bought it Feb. of this year, the previous owner had it 3+ years as a lease, so far no detectable oil consumption. But with everything I read here, I've been pulling the stick often to check it.

Dean

 

[kn5owa]

Example: Left yesterday morning with a reading on the full mark (checked on level garage floor). Travelled 120 miles total and returned home. Five (5) hours after shutdown the level was checked and it was down 1/4 of a quart. I was concerned. Checked it this morning and it reads right on the full mark.
Conclusion: Don't expect to get an accurate reading of the oil level unless it is sitting for at least 12 hours.

The key to checking oil is repeatiibility - as you found out. For many decades, I did the a.m. cold check on cars and still do on my Sonata. Repeatibility there is fine.

Then this warm check thing popped up in the manuals - I now do the "warm check" on my Genesis V8 about 5 mins. after engine shutdown as per the manual. Seems to be substantially repeatable - still checking.

I read once that some psychologists at Ford determined that the vast majority of people would never check their oil if told they had to do it in the morning, so they changed the manuals to set forth the "warm check" procedure and so went the industry.

I am equally sure there will be other explanations as to the switch.

 

[Ram Air]

Yes, I read the manual's recommendation too. "Wait for a few minutes (about 5 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan." So that means my oil level was low; and if I top it up then it will be above the top mark. Will I be overfilling it? The manual states , " Do not overfill with engine oil."
I do recall checking the oil the morning after an oil change and its reading was above the top mark. I guess that's normal and acceptable with Hyundai. And all this time I thought they were overfilling it.
Now I am even more concerned because it's probably down half a quart. In other words it should be above the top mark after sitting overnight.

 

[kn5owa]

Yes, I read the manual's recommendation too. "Wait for a few minutes (about 5 minutes for the oil to return to the oil pan." So that means my oil level was low; and if I top it up then it will be above the top mark. Will I be overfilling it? The manual states , " Do not overfill with engine oil."
I do recall checking the oil the morning after an oil change and its reading was above the top mark. I guess that's normal and acceptable with Hyundai. And all this time I thought they were overfilling it.
Now I am even more concerned because it's probably down half a quart. In other words it should be above the top mark after sitting overnight.

Checking oil is as much art as science.

My Sonata is always rock solid consistent with cold checking.

My Genesis is a little more unpredictable with the recommended "warm" checks.