Difficulty reading dipstick

[Teddy1948]

I have a 2020 Nissan QashQai diesel automatic. The dipstick is part of the filler cap. When I check the oil level I have difficulty in obtaining a true reading. On one side of the dipstick oil is smeared a long way up and on the other side it is showing 1/2 inch up from the low mark with a distinct line however some traces of oil is also showing further up. Anyone else having this problem?

[Pandjh]

All 3 of mine have been a pain... get to temperature, switch off, take out dipstick and wait for 15 mins for it all to settle back into the pan. Then take a reading.

[Teddy1948]

Thank you Pandjh I will try your tip and let you know how I get on.

[Teddy1948]

Hi Pandjh, I tried your tip out today. I got my car up to working temperature and shut off the engine and withdrew the dipstick and set it aside and waited 30 mins. I reinstalled the dipstick and took a reading it was half an inch up from the low mark and no smearing above however I tried again and there was some smearing so the dipstick was obviously taking some oil back up the tube. So if I was to add some oil to try and get to the maximum mark I would have to repeat the action of waiting at least 15 mins with the dipstick removed a great pain as you have remarked previously

[Pandjh]

I would say smearing is always going to happen so look for oil that goes all the way round the dipstick, that's the true level.

Don't fight it to get it perfectly on the max mark, getting it near and checking often is quite OK so if it's on half, put a bit more in and check again in a week... then repeat.

Just add a bit at a time, ie don't risk going over the max mark. Little and often will do.