Oil Dipsticks & Tubes

Proper engine lubrication is paramount to operation, as too low of oil level will quickly lead to increased friction, damage, and ultimately, engine failure. It is important to have an easy-to-read truck or car oil dipstick (depending on your application) that will confirm your engine has the correct amount of oil to help it last a long time.

An oil dipstick tube, in addition to housing the dipstick for oil level viewing, can also be used for draining the engine oil with the help of a dipstick oil extractor. This tool has a tube which is fed down the dipstick tube (when the engine is off) and to the bottom of the inside of the oil pan. The oil can then be extracted via suction, eliminating the need of raising the vehicle above the floor and removing the oil pan drain plug.

Oil dipsticks, in addition to showing you the level, also will provide an eye to the oil's condition and to possible engine problems. A simple pull of the stick from the tube will allow you to see whether your oil looks normal, in need of changing, or shows signs of contamination from coolant, moisture, or gas/diesel.

To read a truck or car dipstick, the first step is to have the engine turned off and pull the stick from the tube via a hook, loop, or handle on the side or front of the block. Then wipe off the stick with a towel. Reinsert the stick and pull it back out, keeping it vertical to prevent the oil line from moving (which can give you a wrong reading). How much oil should be on the dipstick is determined by starting at the bottom of it and slowly scanning up, observing when the amount of oil stops and the bare stick is visible. Nearly every automotive engine dipstick is designed with a "full" mark and "low" mark engraved towards the bottom. The marks can be dimples, holes, or lines. There may be an additional mark on the dipstick, indicating the oil level when hot or may be marked "max" above the full mark (due to oil expansion while hot). In most cases, if the level is at the "low" mark on a cold engine, the distance to the full mark is equal to one quart of oil. However, check your owner's manual to confirm this is correct. As long as the oil level is between the "low" and "full" mark, the engine has proper lubrication. You may add oil at your discretion to raise the level to the full mark. However, do not overfill the oil, as lowering the level requires removal of the oil pan drain plug.

New and fresh oil will be clear/amber in color. Most of the time, dark brown or black oil will be seen on the oil dipstick (sometimes researched online as an "oil change dipstick"). The darker and thicker the oil gets, the more contaminated it usually is, requiring replacement. Light brown or foamy oil may indicate coolant or moisture present, requiring replacement and investigation to the source of the moisture or leak. Following oil change intervals by mileage per the vehicle manufacturer is the best practice over a visual inspection. However, if you don't know how many miles it has been since the last oil change, or are in doubt, changing the oil is advised to help protect your engine from damage.

The oil dipstick tube has to match the stick it was designed to work with. Mixing sticks with tubes will most likely lead to the wrong oil level reading, as there can be different lengths in both. If ever in doubt, replace the oil pan dipstick and tube with a matching tube and oil dipstick replacement.

Having the correct oil dipstick and tube for your engine is critical to confirming the oil level. Too low of oil will cause increased friction and wear, leading to engine failure. Too much oil will lead to increased resistance on the crankshaft as well as causing oil leaks. The dipstick also provides a quick way to check your engine oil's condition, confirming it's time to change and if there is moisture, coolant, or fuel contamination. Browse or full line of replacement engine oil dipsticks, which will provide you with the correct oil level and condition reading.