deankenny Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Every time i pull the thing out and wipe it put it back in pull out, theres oil pretty much nearly halfway up it, do i have to leave the car for a while after a drive? or am i doing something wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Yes. Leave the car to stand for about 10 mins after the engine's been running before checking the oil, same as any car. Park it on flat ground too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Best to leave it a lot longer than 10 mins on the Z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizurd Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I find it takes quite a while for it to be readable properly. usually check it first thing in the morning before I start off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I tend to leave mine overnight, just to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanted Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Mine Usually only gives a true reading on one side of the dipstick, unless it's been stood overnight, ie one side will be way up high while the other side will read between the min and max markers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deankenny Posted March 19, 2013 Author Share Posted March 19, 2013 yeh its been left for about 15 mins when i checked just checked again, and seems more settled but just below the low mark, so next question now is what oil does this car take. and i pray to god i can buy it from halfords lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glrnet Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 5w30 fully synthetic seems to be the popular choice. This will get you out of trouble:- http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_253905_langId_-1_categoryId_165581 Or check out Opie Oil, trader on here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I stand corrected, sorry. It would appear the longer you leave it the better. I check mine after its been sat all day in the work car park, as my drive is on a slope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deankenny Posted March 19, 2013 Author Share Posted March 19, 2013 Just checked again before light goes, and its alot more settled now and reading slightly above the LOW mark so will be buying some tonight i think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollyranchers Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 The only way I have found to get a true reading is to do this first thing in the morning or after car has been stood and is cold. You get two goes at getting a true reading then the dipstick gets contaminated and as you say oil is half way up the dipstick Trying to do it hot or after ten mins doesn't give you the most accurate of readings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth29 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I think this happens because when you pull the dipstick out, it smears oil all the way up the tube, you clean the dipstick, then stick it straight back down into the smeared tube, getting oil on the full length of the stick. Solution: Pull the dipstick, clean it, then wait a few mins to let any smeared oil make its way back to the sump, before checking the level. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1 HNK Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 If its anything but stone cold you won't get an accurate reading. It's a stupid design!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Accurate measurements can only be taken from a cold engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 You can only measure my oil when it's hot and the engine is running Trust me, it's not as good as it sounds. In fact, sometimes it's a right faff and I long to have a dipstick like the Zed's again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I know not all engines are the same, but of you check the zed manual it actually says cold engine as well. As for your squashed beetle Dan, that just makes me giggle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I was just being awkward, I'm good at that this evening Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
370Ad Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Only true way to check the Zeds oil is to drop it all and put 4.9 litres in! Stupid dipstick..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Some time back someone posted about smearing the end of the dipstick with something that allows the oil level to show more clearly. I'll have a dig around the archives. But as being said above, it does need to be done with the engine cold and on level ground. And yes, as its been said many times before, the DE engine dipstick was designed by one. At least they sacked that dipstick before the HR engine was commissioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
14N Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Stupid dipstick..... It is indeed. Does anyone know where I can get a longer one, as the one I've got doesn't even reach my oil? Would ZMANALEX have one? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 The problem with reading the stick is that most people's oil is too clean Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deankenny Posted March 20, 2013 Author Share Posted March 20, 2013 This is what i bought, i will check again in morning when cold, just want to confirm is this decent oil to put in http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_210681_langId_-1_categoryId_165581_zygonArticleNum_251215_zygonGenericCode_000000_zygonId_14553048_zygonManPartNum_C+5W30+EDGE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 As a top-up, it'll do. I wouldn't use it for an oil change though, there's much better stuff out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Stupid dipstick..... It is indeed. Does anyone know where I can get a longer one, as the one I've got doesn't even reach my oil? Would ZMANALEX have one? Are you saying it has been shortened and does not have the low and high markings on it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1 HNK Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 Stupid dipstick..... It is indeed. Does anyone know where I can get a longer one, as the one I've got doesn't even reach my oil? Would ZMANALEX have one? Are you saying it has been shortened and does not have the low and high markings on it?? How on earth do you take an oil reading then!!??? You really need to find out what is going on there :scare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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