How Do You Check Your Oil?

diyer2 · May 28, 2017

Which method do you use.

At running temperature, shut it off, let sit for a few minutes before checking

Sits over night, check before starting

wade_660 · May 28, 2017

I drain it all out, measure it, then refill.

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007matman · May 28, 2017

Which method do you use.

At running temperature, shut it off, let sit for a few minutes before checking

Sits over night, check before starting

Either way. I don't think it matters much with oil.

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txab · May 28, 2017

Both

sdeeter19555 · May 28, 2017

Both, whatever it is at the time...you have a quart variance allowed.

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BiggG74 · May 28, 2017

I always do it when the motor is cold. Usually in the morning. Of course on level ground.

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MaverickZ71 · May 28, 2017

Makes no difference. If you read the owner's manual, it says the proper method is to check it at normal operating temperature, shut off the engine and let the oil drain back into the pan for a few minutes. Doing that, 6 quarts comes out exactly on the top full mark on the dipstick. If you check it cold, 6 quarts will show approx. 1/4 quart overfull on the dipstick.

sdeeter19555 · May 28, 2017

On mine, the dipstick isn't accurate...

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Dnt · May 28, 2017

Makes no difference. If you read the owner's manual, it says the proper method is to check it at normal operating temperature, shut off the engine and let the oil drain back into the pan for a few minutes. Doing that, 6 quarts comes out exactly on the top full mark on the dipstick. If you check it cold, 6 quarts will show approx. 1/4 quart overfull on the dipstick.

Either way it did not matter on my 2009 I had to add a quart every fuel fill up. (22 gallons of gas and 1 quart of Mobile1) like clockwork. Of course it got a bit worse at about 80k and started fouling spark plugs.

tbarn · May 29, 2017

So 6qts is full and a 1/4 of a quart up or down is going to make any difference? I don't think so. Over thinking.

MaverickZ71 · May 29, 2017

So 6qts is full and a 1/4 of a quart up or down is going to make any difference? I don't think so. Over thinking.

That is correct for the OP's 2012 truck. Not overthinking. Learned by reading the manual, and checking the oil many hundreds of times--at every fuel stop like the General says. Because chances are, like Darryl said above, the 2007-2013 models with AFM will need some oil added. I've lost count of how many cases of oil that I've had to add to mine.

However, yours holds 8 quarts and has a different owner's manual.

MaverickZ71 · May 29, 2017

On mine, the dipstick isn't accurate...

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I have no experience with the newer HD's. But If it is Iike the 2007-2013 1500's, if you check it cold, it probably shows over full. But if you check it hot like the owner's manual probably says, after letting it sit for 5 minutes, it will probably show right on the top full line. If not, check to see if the dipstick has the correct part number for your engine.

I do my own oil changes, and take my time letting the old oil drain out, and the new oil drip in. When my truck was new, I was sure the dipstick was not accurate, so I pursued getting a new one from my GM dealer. My PO'd Service Manager (now friends) told me 6.0 quarts was correct, and to go RTFM. [Read the frakkin manual.] I read it again, more carefully, and over about 400 oil checks later, have learned it is spot on accurate.

diyer2 · May 29, 2017

Makes no difference. If you read the owner's manual, it says the proper method is to check it at normal operating temperature, shut off the engine and let the oil drain back into the pan for a few minutes. Doing that, 6 quarts comes out exactly on the top full mark on the dipstick. If you check it cold, 6 quarts will show approx. 1/4 quart overfull on the dipstick.

This is true for my truck.