# Oil levels **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** sedona, kia\ **Created:** [September 10, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-levels/36400 "2009-09-10T12:38:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cupcake1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@cupcake1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cupcake1)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-levels/36400/1 "2009-09-10T12:38:47Z")
When you check the oil in your vechicle should the engine be hot or cold? ---
**Author:** ![rockford](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac8455/32.png) [@rockford](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rockford)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 1:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-levels/36400/2 "2009-09-10T13:18:00Z")
Check your owners manual; normally it should be done when cold; if hot, wait about 15 minutes after shutting off the engine to allow the oil to drain back down into the oil pan for an accurate reading. ---
**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-levels/36400/3 "2009-09-10T16:15:21Z")
What rockford said plus dip and wipe the stick twice before taking a final reading. Hot oil tends to stay in the dipstick tube long enough to stick to the dipstick when you pull it out. ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-levels/36400/4 "2009-09-11T02:31:19Z")
It really does not make that much difference, but it is easier to check when it is cold. With most cars you don’t even have to wipe the stick when it is cold. Try is yourself, Check it sometime right after you shut the engine off, in 15 minutes and after it sits overnight. Let us know what you find.