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Car Forum / Nissan / Nissan Maxima / March 2004Dipstick Confession
OK, it is 8 years late to be asking this question, but I will anyway. :) '96 Max SE, 5 speed. Checking the oil level on the dipstick always seem imprecise. The oil on the stick always appears "smeared" and, possibly, higher on the stick that it actually is, since the dipstick, when removed, will appear partially covered. I've tried inserting/removing the dipstick at various positions, but the result always seems the same--ambiguous. It doesn't use oil, I change every 2-3K, 4 qts. drain out, I put in 4 1/4, it shows (kinda) full and I drive on. Any tips? Better way to check level? Or ????? Thanks! >OK, it is 8 years late to be asking this question, but I will anyway. :) > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Thanks! Let the engine cool so as much oil drains down to the pan as possible. Between the "full" and "low" lines on the dipstick is about 1 quart of difference. The engine doesn't need an exact amount of oil for optimum protection, so don't worry about it! I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't seem to read that dipstick. Its only a rare time that I can even get a reading on the thing. It seems to be all over the end of the stick. 96 max gle > OK, it is 8 years late to be asking this question, but I will anyway. :) > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Thanks! Hmm, I have the same problem sometimes. Try pulling the dipstick and letting the engine drain for 30min. Then reinsert for a reading. I have a feeling the dipstick will keep thicker oil from draining cleanly from the dipstick tube. Dave > OK, it is 8 years late to be asking this question, but I will anyway. :) > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Thanks! My I30t does the same thing. The oil smears by the time you get the stick out. Try looking at the other side. Mine gives a good clear indication of where the line is. Then flip it over to look at the hash marks. JM > OK, it is 8 years late to be asking this question, but I will anyway. :) > > '96 Max SE, 5 speed. Checking the oil level on the dipstick always seem > imprecise. The dipsticks on the newer nissans suck to put it mildly. One trick is to "short stick" it. By this I mean don't push it all the way in, leave about 1/4-1/2 inch out and mentally subtract this from the bulb on the end. If you short stick it and the hash marks show no oil, it's probably low. Like others said it's best to check it cold or sitting for a while, just pull and read.  SignatureSteve http://www.atlantaracing.com I never have been able to read my '99 Maxima dipstick until the oil shows a bit of dirt. The first thousand miles after a change it's really difficult to even tell where the oil is because the stick is effectively coated and the oil is so transparent. Just pulling out the dipstick seems to coat various parts of the dipstick with oil and smear anything that's between the two "bumps" on the stick at each end of the area you are supposed to read. Yes, I've tried it in different orientations and like the rest, I've decided that in the morning is the best time to try when the oil has drained down overnight. I push the car out of the garage far enough so I can open the hood and check the oil while still on the level before I start it. What? You mean you don't have a lumber rack over the hood of your car in the garage and can't open the hood with the car all the way in??? <grin> > > OK, it is 8 years late to be asking this question, but I will anyway. :) > > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > http://www.atlantaracing.com >The dipsticks on the newer nissans suck to put it mildly. Another reason I miss my old 3rd Gen. The dipstick was a long flexible braided steel cord, with a capsule-shaped metal weight on the end. The oil level on the front, back and sides of the capsule were always the same, and you got a good read. Pat But, now they've reduced the weight of the car by a quarter of an ounce. That's the name of the game. On the relatively few occasions when the oil did not smear on the front of my 4th gen dipstick, I could tell that the front and the back side both give the same reading. So, if only the back side gives a clear reading, it appears that you can trust it. JM If you change the oil filter when you change the oil, 1/4 quart of oil comes out with the oil filter. > OK, it is 8 years late to be asking this question, but I will anyway. :) > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Thanks! I have the same problem on my 2k1... I let the engine sit for 5/10 minutes before even pulling the dip stick... then wipe it, let it sit for another 30 sec's before reinserting it to let oil drain out of the dipstick tube. Then IMMEDIATELY remove it... don't wait at all... just one swift motion... in/out. I can usually get a good reading. Any smearing above the lowest point on the dipstick completely covered in oil doesn't count! BuddyWh >OK, it is 8 years late to be asking this question, but I will anyway. :) > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >Thanks! The good news is that you own a nissan, which 99/100 don't burn oil. It's a tight tolerance, well machined engine and if you change the oil regularly will likely never have an engine failure due to oil failure. If the "smear" is within 1/4 of a quart (I guess that's literally a cup) then you have nothing to worry about. Remember, there are many people that never check their oil and have 200k miles without problems. > OK, it is 8 years late to be asking this question, but I will anyway. :) > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Thanks! |
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