Philly81

New here, great site.
Question, when checking the oil level on the dipstick do you go by where the dark oil stops or where the slickness stop. I notced after the easily visible brown oil stops on the dipstick there is this slickness that you can see if you look from the side, and I am not sure which level I go by. The brown color is about a quarter away from the low level line and the slickness extends to about the half way mark.
If the level is just a quarter above the level how much would you guys recomend i put in; a half a quart? Plus I know my dealer put valvoline 5w-20, is it ok if I add Castro 5w-20 or should I get the valvoline as to not mix brands? I'm not the most car savy person.
Thanks

Slims8

hmmm.... Let me get on my thinking chair... ok, all better now.

First, did you wipe off the dipstick, then put it back in to check it? That could be a possibility. Next question, how many miles on the oil change? It might be time for one...

As far as mixing oils go, you are going to start a very long discussion. Some say Oil is Oil, and other say DO NOT MIX. Generally, I try to stick with the same brand, but am not hesitant to change brands during an oil change. I figure I'll get blasted by someone for that.

Ninja

No flame here Slims8! I ditto everything you said.

Philly81, I believe the distance between the tick marks on the dipstick is 1.7 liters (it's in the owners manual). In any case I would extrapolate from there about how much to put in, and then start by putting in half that amount and checking oil again. Repeat as necessary till you're happy with the level.

The point of the above is to ensure you don't put in too much oil. That is a problem for your engine also.

Philly81

i actually just had an oil change about 500 miles ago...
the problem I have is that on the dipstick when I take it out after wiping it first it has brown oil about a quarter above the low line...then this slickness that is pretty much clear that extends to the half way point...is this a normal thing...which do I go by the actually brown oil or where the clear slickness ends?anybody else see this when they check their oil.....ive never really checked my oil level before so im not sure what to expect it to look like

G8rboy

I've never had varying shades of my oil... that sounds a little odd. I do however have to look at the dipstick at an angle when the oil is fresh to get a good reading... it's not the easiest to see.

Ninja

Yeah, that does sound weird... I would consider having my mechanic look at that because on mine it has always looked pretty uniform.

As to reading the level: I would go by the highest level you see all the way across the stick. On mine it's pretty clear and difficult to see also, if you view it at the right angle you can see it looks wet and that's what you should be measuring.