Oil dipstick bad reading

[Uxxo]

Does anyone else have an issue with the engine oil dipstick showing two different readings on each side of the dipstick? Once side shows the oil level between the two marks, the other side shows the level up to the “X” – see attached pictures
It’s something that has been bothering me since I had the Pajero (2012 NW), and I always thought that my dipstick maybe was just a bit bent. Last week I bought a brand new dipstick and nothing has changed.
I always read the oil level with the engine warm, at least half hour after turning the engine off

[littleriver]

Does anyone else have an issue with the engine oil dipstick showing two different readings on each side of the dipstick? Once side shows the oil level between the two marks, the other side shows the level up to the “X” – see attached pictures
It’s something that has been bothering me since I had the Pajero (2012 NW), and I always thought that my dipstick maybe was just a bit bent. Last week I bought a brand new dipstick and nothing has changed.
I always read the oil level with the engine warm, at least half hour after turning the engine off

start it .. turn it off and check it ... push it in slowly and count to 5 ... will give you an accurate reading ...

..

[Hazpet]

Read your manual, it tells you how to read the dipstick

[gazza11]

oil dipstick bad reading

Yes you are right. Its very hard to see the level. I always have trouble reading the dip stick after changing the oil. I read the level on the face side and the level is always higher on the back. I always check when the oil is cold, first thing in the morning and again a few days after an oil change when the oil goes darker. I have a ride on lawn mower and its impossible to get a correct reading. Each time I check its different. A very annoying thing. The Dealers must have a monitored refill quantity to get the level correct.
Cheers.

[GHendo]

The only way I can get an accurate reading on mine it to leave it overnight – you then get one, and one only chance of getting a reading when you take the dipstick out the first time.

When I do an oil change I know approximately how much oil mine takes, so I put that in, then the next morning I take a reading and top-up as necessary.

Cheers

Geoff

[erad]

I recently had the same issue - different readings on each side. I turned the dipstick 180 degrees and it then read the same level,

[benckj]

The only way I can get an accurate reading on mine it to leave it overnight – you then get one, and one only chance of getting a reading when you take the dipstick out the first time.

When I do an oil change I know approximately how much oil mine takes, so I put that in, then the next morning I take a reading and top-up as necessary.

Cheers

Geoff

^^exactly. Best way to get accurate readings IMO. I do all my cars this way.

Its actually the easiest as you don't even need to wipe it first just pull dipstick and read level. Can do with one hand tied behind my back.

[Keithyv]

I always put this down to the dipstick rubbing on something on one side on the way out.

[Uxxo]

So, checking the oil level with the engine cold seems to be the best option.
Anyway...it's a bit of a shitty design :-)

[benckj]

So, checking the oil level with the engine cold seems to be the best option.
Anyway...it's a bit of a shitty design :-)

Agreed. Not really a big deal and many vehicles react exactly the same way.

Some of the contributing factors is using synthetic oil and improved filtration systems. This makes the slippery oil very hard to see on dipstick. One of the modern alternatives is to eliminate the dipstick all together and have a level sensor in the sump. Many vehicles already do this with transmissions and some German cars with engines.

[Morville]

I don't know if this applies to Pajeros, but with some engines the dipstick tube extends into the oil and as the engine cools down the oil will creep up the tube as the air in it contracts giving a false reading. To be sure even when cold, I find it best to remove the dipstick to allow the oil to return to its correct level and then wipe the stick before checking the oil level.
Peter

[benckj]

You may be correct shortly after shut down but once it has reached equilibrium it should all revert to identical level. This is why its best to check in morning before departure.

I have always found that Mitsi's take quite a long time for all the oil to return back to the sump from head & oil galleries. Just another reason to wait until full cool down before checking.