Dipstick readings (different at 90 degree rotations)

[Johnny Fr]

I've noticed this on our L87.

If the dipstick is cross-hatched at 6 o'clock, the reading is the highest.

In the case as I type, FULL.

If rotated to 9 o'clock, it's full but then goes diagonally lower to 2/3.

At 12 o'clock, it's 2/3.

At 3 o'clock, it's the opposite of 9 o'clock, also full, with a diagonal to 2/3, but opposite.

I've always been taught to go by the lowest reading, and honestly have never looked this closely, just figured that on a L87 oil is very important.

Corvette forum says to have cross hatch facing firewall, but doing that yields a diagonal level.

Again, 12 is 2/3, and 6 is full. Very different levels imho.

jmoymmv

edit p.s. an afterthought--need to see what the level looks like after a DIY oil change with 8 quarts. Whatever that reading is, stick with it, and only orient the dipstick one way. Likely? It will be 12 o'clock and the lowest reading, but I won't know until the next oil change... my .02

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Photos of what you are talking about?

 

[Marky Dissod]

I've always been taught to go by the lowest reading

Me too.

and honestly have never looked this closely, just figured that on a L87 oil is very important.

(Even though I've personally witnessed an old Subaru flat4 run for 6hr with NO oil), oil is very important on ANY ENGINE.
I also remember proving to several people that if the vehicle is tilted the oil level reading will be similarly tilted.

Try intentionally adding 7.50 Quarts, get your level readings in 2 or 3 different orientations, then add the last 0.5 Quarts to compare again,
so you know exactly what you'd be noticing in the future.

 

[Stbentoak]

On my LM2/LZ0 it's 7 out and 7 in measured. Hardly ever look at dipstick... maybe once a month. Always full, always right at top of stick all the way thru 5K miles....

 

[Vladimir2306]

I have already written here about different oil levels at different positions of the shoe. Plus, in Russia, when changing the oil in a 6.2 engine, 8.2-8.3 liters are poured, I repeat, a liter, not a quart. This is up to the maximum level on the dipstick.

 

[PG01]

As long as its in the x-hatch section its fine…many will agree, some won’t… don’t care tbh. In the x-hatch = correct oil level

 

[the blur]

I noticed this on my LT4 motor. Front of dipstick shows full. Back of dipstick shows 1/2 qt low. I believe it's the highest reading that counts.

 

[Doubeleive]

I've noticed this on our L87.

If the dipstick is cross-hatched at 6 o'clock, the reading is the highest.

In the case as I type, FULL.

If rotated to 9 o'clock, it's full but then goes diagonally lower to 2/3.

At 12 o'clock, it's 2/3.

At 3 o'clock, it's the opposite of 9 o'clock, also full, with a diagonal to 2/3, but opposite.

I've always been taught to go by the lowest reading, and honestly have never looked this closely, just figured that on a L87 oil is very important.

Corvette forum says to have cross hatch facing firewall, but doing that yields a diagonal level.

Again, 12 is 2/3, and 6 is full. Very different levels imho.

jmoymmv

edit p.s. an afterthought--need to see what the level looks like after a DIY oil change with 8 quarts. Whatever that reading is, stick with it, and only orient the dipstick one way. Likely? It will be 12 o'clock and the lowest reading, but I won't know until the next oil change... my .02

i'd be way less concerned about the dipstick and way more concerned about what's in the oil, i.e. metals especially on T2

 

[KSanger]

2025 Chevy Tahoe High Country 6.2L V8.

On my first oil change I got home and read about a quart high. Before my next change I let it sit for an hour and still read about a quart high. Asked my shop how they change the oil. They drain it, change the filter, pour in almost 8 quarts, start it up to check for leaks. Then top it off. The manual states to get a correct reading wait two hours after you have parked and stopped the engine. So I had my shop add 7 quarts, check that they hit the minimum line, and stop. They stated it was at about 1/3 quart above the minimum. I got home, read less than the minimum within 5 minutes of shutting off the engine. Then read about 1/3 quart after waiting 20 minutes. My shop took their time because I showed them the manual page 318. I also noticed a touch of oil above the maximum mark all the time. Unless I pulled the stick and waited five minutes. So its likely I wasn't over a whole quart before. But if I was close to full it could be that little bit of ail that sits in tube as you pull out the stick. I added another 1/3 quart, verified that I'm at about 2/3 quart above the minimum and I'm happy with that.

Its very possible that if your shop tops off the oil immediately after stopping the engine then you have too much oil. Its also possible if they empty oil quickly after pulling in and their is still oil in the engine and you add 8 quarts you are already over full.

I wonder how GM Engineers got to add the two hour wait to testing the oil level into the manual without a stink. I highly doubt there are any dealerships waiting more than a minute.

 

[the blur]

Open the owners manual. Does it say HOT or COLD ???