How are you even supposed to read this dipstick?

[danfg2]

Honda seriously designed the worst dipstick I've ever seen. Anyways I bought my car from the dealership about a month ago and when I check the oil it honestly looks way overfilled or I can't even tell where the oil level is at. How do people read this dipstick?

 

[dark_knight097]

Yeah it is a pain to try to get a good reading. What I do is to pull the dipstick out, wipe, put it back in and then pull it out quickly and hold it vertically to see where the level its at.

 

[danfg2]

Yeah it is a pain to try to get a good reading. What I do is to pull the dipstick out, wipe, put it back in and then pull it out quickly and hold it vertically to see where the level its at.

I've done that multiple times and still can't get a good reading...I'm worried that the dealership overfilled it but I haven't noticed any issues after a month of driving

 

[mocaSi]

Yeah these new dipsticks suck. Wish they'd stick with older style sticks. Best thing to do for now is a quick oil change yourself and put in the exact amount called for.

 

[The Vyzitor]

My trick is to use a shop towel/paper towel, and thoroughly thoroughly dry it off. Completely bone dry. Then insert and pull back out and look at it at and angle to a light source, and the line of the moist area versus dry is pretty well defined and obvious when reflecting some light

 

[SDAlexander8]

Make sure the car is warm, turn it off and let it sit for a few minutes.

Yank dipstick and wipe it off completely. Put dipstick back in for a couple seconds, then pull it out again and get it horizontal as quickly as possible.

 

[MuffinMcFluffin]

I'm not trying to redirect you, but I'm giving you this other thread in case it contains answers for you. I struggle with it as well.

https://www.civicx.com/forum/threads/how-to-read-dipstick.31371/

 

[SDAlexander8]

I have no problems whatsoever reading the dipstick,

I just tilt it in a way light is reflecting off it, and it's easy to see the level,

You should always be holding it vertically, never horizontal or the oil could drip up the stick slightly and give you a false higher reading

How does holding it vertically keep it from dripping off or sliding down the stick? Holding it horizontally cups the oil inside the orange plastic piece.

 

[SDAlexander8]

If you hold the dipstick vertically, or let's say on a 45 degree angle, your still going to be able to see the highest point of the oil level,

If you hold it horizontally, there is a chance the oil can go sideways "up" the dipstick, giving you a false reading

I’d say I give it a good 45 or 60 degrees

 

[bikejog]

How does holding it vertically keep it from dripping off or sliding down the stick? Holding it horizontally cups the oil inside the orange plastic piece.

I think he meant hold it right side up vertically. Not upside down.

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