Check oil hot or cold

Answer 1

Most owner's manuals will advise you to check the oil level when the engine is warm (after driving 10 or 15 minutes), about 5 minutes after you stop the engine. This allows the warmed oil to be fully circulated in the engine, and then drain down to the oil pan where its level can be measured by the dipstick. You should never add more oil than you need, as indicated by the dipstick.