Oil Level on Dipstick

[HearHear]

When checking my oil level on the dipstick, I observed that it was about 1/2 way down in the little cross hatched section on the bottom of the dipstick. When it’s halfway down the little cross hatched section, does this mean it’s a half quart low? Thanks

 

[hardhat]

When checking my oil level on the dipstick, I observed that it was about 1/2 way down in the little cross hatched section on the bottom of the dipstick. When it’s halfway down the little cross hatched section, does this mean it’s a half quart low? Thanks

Half a quart brought mine from barely touching dipstick to 3/4 way up. YMMV.

 

[stumblinhorse]

I noticed mine moves up and down the stick a bit. Not sure why. So I am going aim for mid hatch area To not overfill.

 

[cgr]

Assuming you guys are talking about prior to first oil change. What are you using to top off?
Chris

 

[stumblinhorse]

Nope, mine got driven home from the dealer…. in a different time zone. Already changed it out.

 

[hardhat]

Assuming you guys are talking about prior to first oil change. What are you using to top off?
Chris

I would top off with the 0w40 pennzoil srt oil that is recommended. Best I can tell that is what they are filled with from the factory. There is talk of "break in" oil, but I don't think most manufacturers do this. The only break in additives present are those in the assembly lube. I don't know this for a fact, just what I think after reading a bunch of posts in different forums.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

With a couple hundred miles on my 392 the oil looked slightly below half on the dipstick so I added about 1/3 quart. I plan to change at 1000 miles

 

[HearHear]

Assuming you guys are talking about prior to first oil change. What are you using to top off?
Chris

Yes, prior to the first oil change. The manual says for the new engine break in period, you need to check the oil level at every gas fill up. Seems excessive but I check the level once a week. I guess the engine can consume more oil at first. Only use 0w40 full synthetic in this engine. Pennzoil Platinum full synthetic SRT is what I use and what my dealer carries.

 

[HearHear]

When checking the oil level on the dipstick, do you do it with the oil warm shortly after driving or cold after it’s been sitting overnight?

 

[hardhat]

When checking the oil level on the dipstick, do you do it with the oil warm shortly after driving or cold after it’s been sitting overnight?

Either way is fine. As long as you give it enough time to drain back into the pan. I don't think oil expands enough with temperature change to significantly change level on dipstick.

Alright...........so I went and looked it up. The coefficient of thermal expansion of engine oil is 0.0007/degree C. So going from freezing 0C to 100C (which is about where ours run) you get 0.07 or 7% expansion (which is more than I thought it would be) so 7 quarts becomes 7.49 quarts.

1/2 quart would make a noticeable change on dipstick, but in my personal experience I have not noticed a difference nor have I been looking for one. Never thought about it until your post.

When doing an oil change, oil temperature probably ends up somewhere in the middle because engine is hot and oil takes a little time to warm up. So middle of dipstick when changing oil (which is what I've always shot for) should be OK.

There are actually quite a few threads on this in other forums that again like the oil filter situation make things clear as mud due to a bunch of armchair geniuses giving their opinions (much like myself). And when I say "geniuses," I mean that in the most jackass way possible

I personally check mine cold other than when changing oil, because you don't even need to wipe down dipstick after things sit overnight. No burned hands, no mess, etc. I usually don't check oil unless I notice a leak on the garage floor.

This would actually be a very easy question for someone to answer, but I bet there won't be that much of a difference.

Owners manual (2018 JL) says warm engine. See below.

Checking Oil Level

To ensure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. The engine oil level should be checked five minutes after a warmed up engine has been shut off. Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Always maintain the oil level within the SAFE zone on the dipstick. Adding 1 quart (0.95 liters) of oil when the reading is at the bottom of the crosshatch zone will result in a reading at the top of the crosshatch zone on these engines.

 

[Turboencabulator]

The engine oil level should be checked five minutes after a warmed up engine has been shut off.

Yup that's what I see. The best way I have found to prevent "armchair geniuses giving their opinions" is just to look it up in the manual.
Page 379 of the 2022 Wranglers Owners Manual says:

"Check to oil level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a fully warmed up engine is shut off"

"Note: Always maintain the oil level within the crosshatch markings on the dipstick"

"Adding 1 quart (1 liter) of oil when the reading is at the low end of the dipstick range will raise the oil level to the high end of the range"

Then on page 39 of the 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392 Performance Features Guide it says:

"FCA recommends the use of Pennzoil Ultra 0W-40 or equivalent..."



So basically what I get outta all that is; When you stop for gas after you finish filling up (allowing about 5 min to elapse after engine shutdown) check your oil. Keep the oil in the crosshatch, the crosshatch is 1 quart tall so add Pennzoil Ultra 0W-40 as needed.

I like t

o keep a running record of the how much gas I got, the odometer reading, and if I added any oil in my little green notebook. It only takes a second and you can learn a lot about your engine.

Finally it may have no relevance but in the aviation world, every jet I have flown has a minimum time after shutdown to wait before checking and adding oil, usually 5 min also. There is also a maximum time to add oil usually 30 min. Just struck me as curious that the numbers are about the same.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

I like tView attachment 3887o keep a running record of the how much gas I got, the odometer reading, and if I added any oil in my little green notebook. It only takes a second and you can learn a lot about your engine.

Finally it may have no relevance but in the aviation world, every jet I have flown has a minimum time after shutdown to wait before checking and adding oil, usually 5 min also. There is also a maximum time to add oil usually 30 min. Just struck me as curious that the numbers are about the same.

That there looks like a Navy wheel book!

 

[Shortcut]

Lots of discussion here but, what does the owner's manual say about checking the oil?

 

[stumblinhorse]

Lots of discussion here but, what does the owner's manual say about checking the oil?

The manual say to use dot 3 SAE J1709 spec brake fluid. That doesn’t exist.

check your oil when the engine is not running… if it is on the hatches you are good.