So, this seems to be a newer issue. I check the oil about every two fill ups at the pump. One time I pull the dip stick and it oil is down to where the bend is at the bottom. I wonder where my oil went and put in a quarter of a quart. I check the dip stick and now the oil is over the full mark...How did it get from empty to over full with a quarter of a quart. I check the dip stick many times to make sure. I get to my next fill up and decide to check just in case. I go through the same thing, it looks nearly empty then goes to full. This time I check the oil level, same thing at about the bend in the stick. This time I literally put in a splash of oil and bam right up to over full. I re-checked the dip stick at least five time both before and after. Anyone else have this issue? What is going on? How do i know where my oil level really is?

 

you may have not been on completely level ground.

 

Also, be aware that it takes time for all the oil to drain back down to the sump after the engine has just been running.

If you shut it down and then immediately check the level, you may get a lower reading than if you shut it down, wait 15-20 mins and then check it for the true level.

This assumes you're checking it on level ground, too.

 

Paint the end of your dip stick with white heat resistant paint and it will give better contrast and allow a more accurate reading of the oil level on the backside as well as the front side of the stick!
Made a big difference for me !

 

^ this is correct. Always wait a few minutes to let the oil drain from the engine into the pan before checking the level.

 

I've done this at 4 different gas stations now, so the level ground is probably not the issue. As for time to check the level, I usually get the gas going first so my guess is it usually sits for about 5 min. Does this mean that the new oil somehow pushes the old oil back into the pan?

 

There isnt any new oil or old oil. Oil circulates thru your engine when it is running. When the engine stops, it drains from the engine into the oil pan. That takes a little time to happen. Your dipstick goes into the oil pan, and tells you how much oil is in there. There will always be more oil in the pan after the engine has been shut down for a few minutes.

 

This is true, but why is it if I had even a splash of oil all of a sudden it jumps from empty to full. It can't be coincidence when it's happened that way four or five times.

 

Check it at the gas station, then check it at home after letting it sit overnight, then compare.