Oil check on uneven parking space

Hi
I notice when I start the engine the oil light comes on very briefly. I am just a bit past the 3000 mile mark and time for an oil change I guess. some folks used to do them at 5 K? is that right?

question is i dont really have a flat / even spot where I park my truck..there is a slight dip on the passenger side. I did a check eariler today and it is on the FULL side of the dipstick.. but i wondered if that is accurate since there is a slight tilt ?

I guess the only way to know is to drive to a flat place and retest.

any ideas on how close to accurate i might be currently?
thanks!

 

No way to tell without seeing your parking spot .

See where full is on the Dip Stick on a flat area then check again at home when the oil had drained down that should give you a good idea .

 

I think the oil light is normally on for a second or 2 after starting.

But I agree, just check it when flat and you should be fine.

 

If I can't get in the garage, sometimes I'll park with one tire on the curb and one in the street. That's close enough, atleast on my street.

 

Honestly level ground isn't a huge deal, as long as it reads between low and full.

Best place to check oil is at the gas station when filling up.

 

Or just check it at a gas station.

If the oil light is on, it could possible indicate that the oil pump is on it's way out.

 

thanks for all the helpful suggestions.. I do remember back in the day my dad showing me how to check the oil at the gas station... must give it a go.. but i was reading that it needs to be sitting with engine off for a few mins to cool and settle.. but hey checking at gas station worked for years..tried and true method right?! thanks for the reminder.. I also like the idea of tires on curb..that is a handy suggestion!

 

I hope the oil pump isn't on it's way out. still cheaper than a car payment!

 

I believe the rule of thumb is at least 10psi per 1k revolution. Best case is just a faulty sensor. Worst case is a bottom end rebuild.

 

what oil filter are you using?

 

The reason people always checked their oil at fill-ups because those old POS cars burned a lot of oil. So you'd check it and top off when needed. Had a buddy in high school we joked that his truck burned more oil than gas. There's very little reason to do that these days, unless you own a POS that you know eats oil. And if that's the case, maybe fix it.

Just check your manual and see how many qts it takes with an oil change. Add that much back in. As others said, check the oil on flat ground, then check it again on your sloped driveway, see if there's a change in the level. The main thing you want is for the drain plug to still be the lowest point, otherwise you're not getting out all the old oil, so if it's enough of a slope, find a different place to do your oil changes, or level the truck with these:

 

there are many new vehicles that dont have dipsticks for the motor or trans, they rely on a float inside the pan sending a signal to the central display. My buddys wife drives a 08 Honda CRV(?) and it was an oil burner. He told her the same thing, check the oil level at every fill up. He even showed her how to do it. She lunched the motor because it had less than a qt in the pan when it started to make noise. He asked her if she check the oil level and she said yes... I look at the oil monitor on the instrument panel and it said I had 75% oil life left. This lesson cost him $28k for a new Honda.

 

This is the real question. Anti drain back valves are there for a reason.

 

I dont have the manual because i bought it used from mechanics friend after my 2000 ranger got stolen( was lucky that a few weeks after buying Taco the ranger came back) but i will look up the amount of oil it needs and check it on a level surface. Not sure what filter it has now..I took it to the mechanic last time for oil change..since he had done me a good turn with such a good deal on that little truck. What is a good filter for the 98 Taco? I was looking at oil prices and thinking of doing both trucks at the same time and I was a bit shocked at how much it was.. almost seems cheaper to have someone do it?? the mechanic also said it needed a "spark plug set" and wanted 250 for the spark plug set and tune up. that was when much of the state was in lockdown.. i suspect the price may have gone up since then. i thought that $250 is alot to change the plugs and wires and air filter. not sure what else is involved in tunie up for little truck. ??

 

and if i do myself I need to get rid of the oil..and find a safe level place i can park without being bothered.

 

That is a freaking ripoff. Oil is cheap. Go to walmart and get 5w30 supertech for cheap. I personally only use OEM filters. Shouldn't cost you more than 30 bucks to do it. I don't let any knucklehead lube tech touch any of my vehicles.

Also you're getting ripped off on the spark plugs and wire. That shouldn't cost more than $40 total if even that. Hell if you are local to the bay I'll do it for you for free. Just get the supplies.

 

the good old days of my youth when friends say don`t park in the driveway .

between leaks and burning a quart every 25 miles .

even though one hand on the crank pulley with the plugs in it turned over quite easy.

New to you vehicle I can understand to you get a feel for things wanting to keep after checking fluids