Hi everybody,

I just wanted to express my frustration on how hard it is to read the freaking oil level on my 2008 Lancer ES. I did 5 readings today, neither one of them was conclusive, because the dipstick is so f**ing hard to read. Even though i clean it very well before putting it back into the engine, when I take it out it has oil all over it, not just on its end as it is supposed to be, making it impossible to read.

If you have any advice or you have any tips on how to do it (as stupid as it may sound) please let me know.

I also have a 2007 Civic, reading the oil level on it it's a breeze, the dipstick is orange plastic not sheet-metal like the Lancer.


I would like to know if anyone else has this problem.
Thank you

That's interesting to say because I have no problems whatsoever reading the oil level in my car. As far as tips go, you're pretty much doing it spot on. Pull the dipstick out, clean it off, replace it, pull it out, and read.

The dipstick itself isn't going to be 100% clean when you check it, but just look at the tip where the markers are and look at how concentrated the oil is. You should be able to make something out.

If this still fails, then I would definitely like to see some pics. :grin:

wait till its cold.... oil wont be all over if it has a chance to settle all night it will be alot more acurate. its wut i do anyway lol

ya just check it in the morning before you go. all the oil will have settled

For real. You can't run the car and expect the oil to be at the bottom. Go have a coke and a smoke and come back in a few.

I have checked my oil at first thing in the morning and the oil does run all along the stick. But generally most of it is at the indicator. The stick has to run through a curve, that might be the reason. I did have a '99 Civic that has a shorter stick and run straight through and give a cleaner indication.