On Fifth Gear last night they did a feature on checking the oil and the tall one said you should check the oil after the engine's warmed up? I always thought it was when the engine was cold because otherwise the oil level will have risen slightly so giving an inaccurate level?

Can someone clarify please :confused: Ta

Reverse is true. You should check the oil when the engine is cold because some engines can pump up to half a litre into the top end when they're hot and drain it back.

Dipsticks are calibrated to the service fill, which is always done on a cool and drained engine.

Reverse is true. You should check the oil when the engine is cold because some engines can pump up to half a litre into the top end when they're hot and drain it back.

Dipsticks are calibrated to the service fill, which is always done on a cool and drained engine.

I knew I was right, but you've obviously explained it better than me Ken

Maybe I misheard the advice then, but I'm sure he said 'always check with the engine a little bit warm'? Did anyone else see it?

I've always just run mine, then turned it off and waited half an hour or so before checking the level.

I've always just run mine, then turned it off and waited half an hour or so before checking the level.

this is what the manual states aswell iirc

run till upto temp then turn off and leave for x amount of time then check the levels.

To be honest anything Fifth Gear advises I'd take with a pinch of salt especially hearing it from that yeti or from the tall streak of so and so.

Check the oil when the engine is cold...

Ive never worried whether its warm or cold. The only thing I remember being told was never check just after the engines been run as the oil needs to return to the sump to get an accurate level.

When changing oil it should be warm so it drains out quicker though