I can't figure out what the deal is with the dipstick on this car! I only have 2500 miles on my Z, and every time I go to check the oil, it comes out with oil on the unmarked side, and the side that has the markings is dry. So wtf is that supposed to mean??? Can someone tell me if my oil level is fine, or is it dangerously low? Here are pics to show what I mean.

Unmarked side, looks wet enough:


Side with actual H and L markings, looks dry:

 

are you checking the oil when it's still hot? you might let the engine cool more before checking it.

 

The Z's dipstick is one of the hardest dipsticks I have seen to get a decent reading on.
Just let the oil settle and keep checking it until you get a decent reading.

 

No one can figure out the 350Z dipstick. No one.

 

LMAO,,, ok first thing let the car cool on flat land...second be very easy with the dipstick and stick it in and out a few times get the feel for it,.,...its actually quit simple after to you figure out that perfect angle....but the main thing is to let this car sit for 15 20 min before checking you will get a reading like that everytime

 

Thanks for the replies. I don't feel so stupid anymore.
Trentor, to answer your question, I'm checking it while the engine is hot. My understanding is that one is supposed to check it after the engine has been running, as the oil has circulated throughout the engine. That's why whenever you get an oil change, they tell you to start up the engine for a half minute or so and then shut it off again before they pull the dipstick to check the level. BUT, having said that, I'll let the engine sit for an hour and recheck it to see if I get a more comprehensible reading. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

How about that I guess the tip of the dip stick is supose to be bent. I noticed that on mine a while back and thought I did that wrestling that thing back in..LOL So I put it in my vise and straighten it back. I have my Z 4 years now and never used any oil.I don't check it very often I just change my oil every 6 months..Amsoil 5-30

 

Unmarked side:


Marked side:


I'm starting to get REALLY nervous looking at how dry that marked side is!

 

you put it in reverse

 

I hope you're not having as much trouble with this operation in the rest of your life! This isn't rocket science dude. Pull it out, wipe it dry. Stick it back in, leave it about 10 seconds. Pull it out. DON'T wipe it or brush it against anything else until you read it.

EDIT: BTW, it doesn't matter which side the oil sticks to the dipstick, the level is the same on both sides, lol. Just read it on the plain side the same as on the marked side.

 

If I did that then the show would be over before it began

 

LOL

Yeah, it's a real pain...

 

lol, the dipstick on the Z is so pointless. I can never get an accurate reading due to the amount of bends in it. On top of that, the hole is in an awkward position. Someone please make a dipstick mod, lol.

 

Alright, you smartasses, ha ha, hope you had a good laugh. Look, the stick wouldn't go in in reverse even if one deliberately tried to reverse it due to the bend in the tip. Besides, I'm putting it back in exactly the way it comes out. So if it's somehow reversed, then it came reversed from the factory.

As for this brilliant remark: "This isn't rocket science dude. Pull it out, wipe it dry. Stick it back in, leave it about 10 seconds. Pull it out. DON'T wipe it or brush it against anything else until you read it."

Duhhhhhh, no really? What do you think I'm doing? This the 12th car I've owned in my 20 years of driving. I know how to check the oil in a car! Anyway, my mechanic stopped by to take a look and he's not sure either.

So what I'm going to do is go ahead and get my first oil change tomorrow and switch over to synthetic. That way, I will know for sure that 5 quarts are in the engine. Then I'll pull out the dipstick and have a baseline for what it ought to look like when it's full.

This isn't the first time I've checked the oil since I bought the car. I checked it within the first 100 miles, and the dipstick has always come out looking like this. I just figured the oil on the unmarked side was good enough. But for some reason now it's just bugging me, because who's to say that it didn't leave the factory underfilled? I would think it unlikely, but it's not impossible, right? So I'm going to play it safe and just get my first oil change tomorrow.

 

funniest post i have read so far haha.

 

The only stupid question is the one you never ask. Unless you ask what the difference is between a base and a track model.Seriously, what is what forums are for partly. Learning from others.

 

Twelve cars and you ask how to use a dipstick, Dipstick? BTW, your mechanic is a quack.

 

Hey, Undrgnd, the next time I have my oil changed, will you come to Memphis and show me and my quack... I mean mechanic... how to read my dipstick? I could just show him your post, but then, we'd miss out on the pleasure of your company! Thanks.

 

Dude, Your pictures tell me that you oil level is not even up to the "L" mark. The same thing applies to all the pictures you showed. You are at least one qt low. Add a can of oil and check again. You will see where the level is at that time. Hot/warm/cold engine only makes a slight difference for the oil level. You won't be able to tell the difference most of the time. Oil shows up on the upper part of the dip stick is because some oil is sitting in the dip stick sleeve. The oil level should show up on both side of the stick at the same place, which is not in any of your pictures.

 

Honestly did you ever stop and think that the part of the stick with no oil is scraping against something in the tube and thats why its not there. My Z is the same numerous cars i have had are the same, you need to buy yourself a new mechanic sir, and buy some books on cars.