Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: SP_3.2 on 11 August 2008, 09:09:44

Title: Best time to check oil
Post by: SP_3.2 on 11 August 2008, 09:09:44
Seem to recall somewhere that it is best to check the oil after the engine was warm. Or is it ok to check after it has been standing for the night. Don,t whant to overfill.

Thanks

Steve.
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: TheBoy on 11 August 2008, 09:33:19
Seem to recall the manual saying when cold.  Its certainly when I check mine.
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: Elite Pete on 11 August 2008, 09:35:22
I check mine when the car has been standing over night.
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: Lazydocker on 11 August 2008, 09:36:46
I've always checked oil when cold... If I can't wait that long then at least let it stand for an hour or so.
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: SP_3.2 on 11 August 2008, 09:37:34
Thanks all ,cold it is  :y
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: Richard A on 11 August 2008, 11:35:41
Hello SP32, Omega Owners Manual states (page 166) : "The oil level must be checked with the vehicle horizontal and the engine(which must be at operating temperature)switched off. Wait at least 2 minutes before checking the level to allow the normal oil accumulation in the engine to drain back into the oil pan". GM now suggest wait 5 minutes. So sorry not when cold  ;)
regards richard a
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: JohnM on 11 August 2008, 14:27:51
SP32.

Try both hot/warm but stood for 2-5 minuted and cold (overnight) and let us know your results.

I suspect there will be little difference.

IIRC min-max on the dipstick is 1L and they can be sensitive to being on the wrong (lower) half.

Being level would be important.
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: Pitchfork on 11 August 2008, 18:29:53
Same for Traktorz?? :)
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: Richard A on 11 August 2008, 19:45:04
Checking cold, say first thing in the morning, shows a 1/4 of a litre gain from checking after a long run then waiting 5 minutes, not much but the hot method is what GM say.

regards
richard a
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: TheBoy on 11 August 2008, 22:24:24
Quote
Same for Traktorz?? :)
Yup.  Reason I wait for cold is it allows oil to fully drain down.
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 11 August 2008, 22:34:47
Same as above really take the oil level whilst the car is on level ground and cold :y
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 12 August 2008, 00:23:19
As above - check when it's cold, so it's all in the sump.

Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: Andy B on 12 August 2008, 00:34:49
It really doesn't take your oil all night to get back to the sump. Any that's still on it's way back down there after 5 mins at the most,  isn't going to make a appreciable difference on your dipstick.
How long does it take to do an oil change?
15mins to remove the old stuff & then 8 hours for the level to be checked?  ;)   ;D  :y
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 12 August 2008, 00:40:16
Quote
It really doesn't take your oil all night to get back to the sump. Any that's still on it's way back down there after 5 mins at the most,  isn't going to make a appreciable difference on your dipstick.
How long does it take to do an oil change?
15mins to remove the old stuff & then 8 hours for the level to be checked?  ;)   ;D  :y

Very valid point there :y

If you're gonna check at any time, morning is best before starting - but you can check anytime when it's been stood for a few minutes :y
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: JohnM on 12 August 2008, 11:16:00
Quote
Checking cold, say first thing in the morning, shows a 1/4 of a litre gain from checking after a long run then waiting 5 minutes, not much but the hot method is what GM say.

regards
richard a
V.good - although more than I'd have thought.

I'm still a check when cold man, but perhaps I should read the instructions!

- Perhaps I'd go for a smidge under max after 5 minutes and not worry if it was just over when cold.  What fence?
Title: Re: Best time to check oil
Post by: shyboy on 12 August 2008, 11:34:16
All the above comments are relevant but suggest to me that the only critical factors are car being level and the actual reading on the dipstick. It's hard enough to get a very accurate reading at the best of times.