Oil Dipstick question?

[drake437]

Ok....I got a question on how to read my dipstick (ok...stop laughing), 2001 4.0L SOHC 4x4. My dipstick DOES NOT match the photo's in the owners manual. There are no words (full/max/min/add). There are two dots and cross-hatching, but the cross hatching does not go to the top of the second dot (it's about a inch higher). My dealership was confused that the cross hatching did not go to the dot, but said to fill it the top of the cross hatch(don't over fill). The instant oil change places always try to add more oil to top of the dot (which is about one extra quart).

Who is right? Thanks for your help.

Drake

 

[Bill Kemp]

Who knows? I'd go to the dealer and look at some other dipsticks from the same type X. If they look right ask the dealer for a new one. If he wont give you one go to a junk yard. I have no idea how much $ a dipstick would be.
Or just change your oil and put in the correct amount of oil and file a mark on the dipstick where the correct amount comes to.

 

[Aussie Explorer]

You fill to the top Dot “IMO” The cross hatching is indicating the oil level is getting on the low side but is still within the acceptable level.

If unsure look in the Manuel for total Oil capacity, that is Sump capacity +oil filter then add that amount on next oil change.

 

[drake437]

This is my 4th Explorer (92,95,97,01) and the first one with a dipstick without any words on it....the manual has pictures of two....none match the one I have (strange). I've only had the oil changed at the instant stores, when they pump 5 qts and check I always catch them adding more to get it to the top dot. If the cross hatching went all the way to the top dot that would make sense...but it does not.

Anyone else have this dip stick?

 

[MONMIX]

either way what is the differance between the top of the hash marks and the dot ? Just a few oz. ?

 

[spindlecone]

If your Ex calls for five QTs, buy six, fill your new filter on the bench prior to install, may take a few mins for the oil in the filter to wick in, will suck up about half a QT, install the filter, add 5qts.
Fire up the EX, let it warm up a tad, shut it down, let it sit a few mins, ck your leval, will be dead nuts perfect, no worrys.
The benni for your engine of filling the oil filter is instant pressor, the first couple seconds of startup with noe pressor kills engines longterm JMHO

 

[drake437]

The top of the cross hatch to the top of the dot is almost one inch or about one qt. of oil. I don't want to have too much oil. I just wish the manual or the stick said which is right..........cross hatch or dot.

 

[MONMIX]

yeah one inch is a lot. Never mind my idea.
Spindlecone, ummmm yeah. Makes prefect sence.
Drain it and fill it to the manufacture specs.
And where it is, is where it is.

 

[gijoecam]

If your Ex calls for five QTs, buy six, fill your new filter on the bench prior to install, may take a few mins for the oil in the filter to wick in, will suck up about half a QT, install the filter, add 5qts.
Fire up the EX, let it warm up a tad, shut it down, let it sit a few mins, ck your leval, will be dead nuts perfect, no worrys.
The benni for your engine of filling the oil filter is instant pressor, the first couple seconds of startup with noe pressor kills engines longterm JMHO

I'll third this one. Regardless of where it falls on the dipstick at that point, that's your FULL mark.

-Joe