Most motorists use the oil dipstick solely to check the oil level. It's enough to ensure the mark is between "minimum" and "maximum," after which the dipstick is returned to its place. However, this simple tool can reveal much more about the engine's condition than commonly believed.
Sometimes, it's precisely this tool that allows you to notice alarming signs before strange noises appear, oil consumption increases, or a warning light illuminates on the dashboard.
The dipstick shows more than just the oil level
A typical situation when buying a used car: the seller assures that the oil was changed very recently — just a few months ago. At first glance, there's no cause for concern.
However, after some time, the engine starts consuming oil, and a characteristic foreign sound appears during a cold start. Later, it turns out that cheap counterfeit oil was poured into the engine.
Meanwhile, the first signs of the problem could have been noticed much earlier. It would have been enough to carefully look at the oil through a regular dipstick.
The fact is that engine oil constantly operates under extremely harsh conditions. It contacts engine parts, is exposed to high temperatures and combustion products, and performs protective and cleaning functions.
Quality oil copes with these tasks thanks to an additive package. If the product turns out to be of low quality or even counterfeit, the degradation process begins much faster.
Traces of this process are often noticeable precisely on the dipstick.
The most important sign
To check, simply pull out the dipstick and carefully examine a drop of oil in the light.
If the oil has covered approximately 5–7 thousand kilometers, the following picture is considered normal:
- dark brown color;
- homogeneous structure;
- absence of foreign inclusions;
- uniform oil film.
Darkening in this case is a natural process. Oil collects combustion products and contaminants, so a change in color itself is not considered a problem.
A completely different matter is the appearance of a gray or silvery tint.
Especially alarming should be:
- metallic sheen;
- fine suspension;
- characteristic sparkling particles;
- a feeling of roughness when rubbing the oil between your fingers.
This particular sign can indicate serious problems.
Where does the metallic tint come from?
The most common cause is the presence of metal microparticles in the oil.
This happens with accelerated wear of engine parts. If the oil film no longer reliably separates the rubbing surfaces, metal begins to contact metal. As a result, tiny wear particles are formed, which circulate with the oil.
You can check the suspicion in a simple way.
It is enough to rub a drop of oil between your thumb and forefinger. If you feel a slight crunch or a barely noticeable squeak, this may indicate the presence of metal shavings.
Such a signal should not be ignored.
A gray tint can also appear due to the destruction of the additive package. The oil begins to actively oxidize and lose its protective properties. This happens especially quickly when using low-quality products or counterfeits.
While quality oil is usually designed for a significantly longer lifespan, a counterfeit product can start losing its properties after just a few thousand kilometers.
What other signs can be noticed on the dipstick?
While the dipstick is in your hands, it's worth paying attention to a few more things.
This will take no more than half a minute, and the information obtained can be very useful.
Milky emulsion or foam
If a light emulsion, resembling milk or cream, is visible on the dipstick, this may indicate coolant entering the lubrication system.
Such a picture often arises with problems with the cylinder head gasket.
Main signs:
- light emulsion on the dipstick;
- foaming of the oil;
- change in lubricant color.
It is better to postpone the operation of the car in such a situation, as the engine can quickly suffer serious damage due to the deterioration of the oil's lubricating properties.
Smell of gasoline and overly thin oil
Another alarming signal is a pronounced smell of fuel.
If the oil becomes too thin and does not adhere well to the dipstick, the cause may be gasoline entering the crankcase.
The most common sources of the problem:
- faulty injectors;
- engine operating characteristics in certain modes;
- long warm-ups at idle in cold weather.
Fuel thins the oil and reduces its ability to protect engine parts from wear.
How to check oil correctly
Even such a simple procedure has its own peculiarities.
Many drivers make a common mistake and check the level immediately after stopping the engine. At this moment, some of the oil has not yet had time to drain back into the sump.
For a more accurate result, it is recommended to:
- turn off the engine;
- wait at least 30 seconds;
- remove the dipstick;
- thoroughly wipe it with a clean cloth;
- insert it back all the way;
- remove it again for checking.
It is the second measurement that usually shows the most reliable picture.
In addition, it is advisable to regularly monitor the oil condition. This is especially true for cars with mileage over 100 thousand kilometers.
It is optimal to perform such a check every 1–2 thousand kilometers.
What to do if suspicious signs are found
If metallic particles appear on the dipstick or a characteristic crunch is felt between the fingers, it is advisable to change the oil as soon as possible and re-evaluate the situation after approximately a thousand kilometers.
If the signs persist, a full engine diagnosis will be required.
If an emulsion appears, it is necessary to immediately find the cause of coolant entering the oil. Delaying repairs in such a case is extremely risky.
If the oil has acquired a pronounced smell of gasoline and has become too thin, it is worth checking the fuel system and reducing the duration of idle warm-ups.
All these measures are significantly cheaper than serious engine repairs.
According to owner reviews on specialized forums, a major engine overhaul can cost approximately 50 to 80 thousand rubles, and sometimes more. Against this background, timely oil change seems a much less costly procedure.
The oil dipstick remains one of the most underestimated diagnostic tools of a car. Just a few tens of seconds and good lighting allow you to get important information about the engine's condition without any special equipment.
It is especially important to pay attention to the appearance of a gray tint, metallic sheen, or suspension in the oil. Often, such trifles are the first warning of problems that can eventually lead to serious expenses.
Therefore, during the next oil level check, it makes sense to look at the dipstick a little more carefully. Sometimes it can tell much more about the engine's condition than it seems at first glance.