Awful accuracy with the dipstick?

[suplol]

I know about the problems being able to insert the dipstick, but I was wondering if anyone else is having trouble measuring oil levels with it? I ask because I just changed my oil yesterday, and I tried to check the oil level via dipstick method, but oil was all over one side of the dipstick, which in turn looks like I completely overfilled -- I checked how much oil I took out, which was 4 quarts, and I filled it up 3.5 quarts so far. I'm sure the car is still a bit under, and I'd rather overfill than underfill, but how am I supposed to get the "right" amount with such a faulty dipstick?

Anyone have any tips/tricks they could share?

[LeanBurn]

I find the same sort of thing, the side that faces the radiator is spread all over, while the side that faces the engine is easier to read and not smeared. I measured how much oil I put in the first change I did and on the good side of the dipstick it read just touching the full dot, so it is fairly accurate. I always check my oil after letting it sit overnight.

[Honda city]

I recently changed my oil to synthetic, the original oil was changed long before it needed to be. Since the oil is new and very light in color, it makes it hard to see the level on the dipstick. Maybe if they added a cross hatch on the dipstick itself it would make it easier to see the level. When the oil gets darker it will also make a difference.

[CircuitJerk]

I had that same problem with my 9thgen.
I took some emery cloth to the dipstick and it helps create a little more surface tension for the oil to grab. I did the same thing to this one.

[ChosenGSR]

I have to concur with you guys, it's darn near impossible to get a "clean" read on these cars. CircuitJerk's post gave me an idea, I used a tack cloth on the dip stick and it seems to make the oil "stick" better to the dipstick.

[nevermind65]

Agreed. Trying to read the level is pathetic at best.

[gokuandpiccalo]

Best time to get a reading is in the morning after the car has sat overnight.