Oil Dipstick

[Skarbro]

One thing I hate about my car is the oil dipstick. I always find it difficult to read the level because of the odd round shape of the tip. You have to read it really fast or the oil slides and gives you a false reading.

Then I noticed that in the Speed3's they have the normal flat dipstick that you find in most other cars. I've always found flat dipsticks waaaaay easier to read.

I don't expect the Speed3's dipstick to work in the regular 2.3 engine (maybe it does? I don't know). But is there any chance that any of the other years for the 2.3 (I have a 2006) came with a flat dipstick that would be compatible?

[cyberscorpi0]

I have the same stupid dipstick.

[dsichewski]

I wonder if one of the caterpillar dipsticks for the machines at work would be the same length? we can always change the reading on it...I'll take a look at work and see what i can find :)

[Xerox]

'06 + has the round dip sticks. I didn't know it would be that difficult to read the oil level.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

I don't expect the Speed3's dipstick to work in the regular 2.3 engine (maybe it does? I don't know). But is there any chance that any of the other years for the 2.3 (I have a 2006) came with a flat dipstick that would be compatible?

like xerox said, the 04-05 came with the flat dipstick but, in addition to the different dipstick, the location of the dipstick is also different between 04-05 and 06+

don't know if that affects the length of the dipstick as i've never done a comparison. maybe joe would know.

[Skarbro]

Interesting. I wonder if they are the same length with the same marks? The 06 dipstick can bend in all directions since it is essentially a long stiff cable, whereas a flat dipstick can only really bend in 2 directions. I wonder if that would be a factor...

[Xerox]

Interesting. I wonder if they are the same length with the same marks? The 06 dipstick can bend in all directions since it is essentially a long stiff cable, whereas a flat dipstick can only really bend in 2 directions. I wonder if that would be a factor...

The '06+ dipstick hole has a notch that matches up with the handle of the dipstick - so there's a specific way it has to go in. The 04-05 does not have this so even if it's the same length and level markings are the same you would have to modify this.
Is it really worth all this? I guess you change your own oil?

[Skarbro]

Is it really worth all this? I guess you change your own oil?
Yes, I change my own oil. It's a PITA to read especially when the oil is new and very clear.

[Seliina]

I have a hard time with it, too. I don't change my own oil, but I do check it occasionally.

[Skarbro]

like xerox said, the 04-05 came with the flat dipstick but, in addition to the different dipstick, the location of the dipstick is also different between 04-05 and 06+
Out of curiosity - Do you know why did they changed the location in 06?

[Wild Weasel]

heh. Up and posting at 5:30 am eh? How's parenthood treating you? :chuckle

[Skarbro]

heh. Up and posting at 5:30 am eh? How's parenthood treating you? :chuckle
Dude - I've always gotten up that early! :) I like my casual mornings.

Although I've discovered that he will fall asleep if he's in one arm at the computer. So I've been using the computer every few hours throughout the night. LOL

[WLS ZMZM]

glad to hear im not the only one having this issue guess I'm a little concerned as my '05 doesn't have a flat dipstick it has the rounded one near the bottom I find it really frustrating to figure out how much oil is actually in teh car especially as yesterday I went to do it as I check my oil every 2-3 weeks and at first it looked like the car was down about 2 litres then i put it in again and pulled it and it looked like it was down about a litre so it kept changing... I'm concerned as the car only has 43,000km and really don't want to find out that its already burning oil, does anyone have trouble with their car? Do any of you find "beating" the car burns oil??

[mazda lover]

glad to hear im not the only one having this issue guess I'm a little concerned as my '05 doesn't have a flat dipstick it has the rounded one near the bottom I find it really frustrating to figure out how much oil is actually in teh car especially as yesterday I went to do it as I check my oil every 2-3 weeks and at first it looked like the car was down about 2 litres then i put it in again and pulled it and it looked like it was down about a litre so it kept changing... I'm concerned as the car only has 43,000km and really don't want to find out that its already burning oil, does anyone have trouble with their car? Do any of you find "beating" the car burns oil??

I have an 05 2.3 My dip stick is flat and not difficult to read. But what I noticed is when I pull the dip stick out clean off the oil and put it back, pull it back out and the level is low, at about the add line, hell I just changed the oil, put in the required amount and it shows I am low, yes I ran the car for about a minute, waited about 5 minutes. So WT* cleaned oil off the stick put it back in pulled it out now the level is bang on. This happens every time I check my oil. Low at first check on second check its ok a third time its ok...I don't get it.
I also make sure the stick is right in

[WLS ZMZM]

okay so I'm not the only one then... I'm in agreement the first pull always looks low... not really sure why... but it does... after that it seems to be okay... but I don't get why I don't have a flat dipstick.... maybe my car was one of those half year ones.....

[ptfire]

One thing I hate about my car is the oil dipstick. I always find it difficult to read the level because of the odd round shape of the tip. You have to read it really fast or the oil slides and gives you a false reading.

Then I noticed that in the Speed3's they have the normal flat dipstick that you find in most other cars. I've always found flat dipsticks waaaaay easier to read.

I don't expect the Speed3's dipstick to work in the regular 2.3 engine (maybe it does? I don't know). But is there any chance that any of the other years for the 2.3 (I have a 2006) came with a flat dipstick that would be compatible?

I think the MS3 holds much more oil.

[garboui]

i have an 04 with 2.3. oil dipstick is flat steel. tranny dipstick is round cable with round bit of led at the bottom.

if my tranny dipstick is anything like your guys oil dipstick i fully agree that its a pain in the ass to read.

[Nova 3 GT]

This may be against the rules of the owner's manual but, I check the dipstick when the engine is cold.

I've tried several times checking it when the engine is fully warm up but the oil itself is too thin to get an accurate reading and end up dripping all over the engine compartement... :bang

[b3GS]

it's a really stupid design

I blame Ford

[Nova 3 GT]

:agree If you look at the back of the stick, it says: FoMoCo