For the life of me, I can't figure out why the dipstick has to have that bright orange end. It's far harder to read the oil level with that plastic end than any of the metal dipsticks I've had in other vehicles. It doesn't ever come up with a clear line. I just changed the oil, placed in 3.5 quarts of Mobil1, ran it for a few minutes, pulled the stick out and can't tell if I filled it correctly.

Is there a trick to looking at it? I do wipe the stick first, and wait 5 minutes after running before I check.

 

If you're having trouble with this perhaps you should consult with a dipstick education specialist.

 

You're a smidgen under filled but still in the safe zone. Actual oil capacity is 3.6 qts without filter, 3.8 with filter.

Either make sure its good and try before checking level so you can see the wet oil on the end of the stick and filling the little "holes" on the stick OR let the car sit on a level surface for a bit (minimum of 30 minutes to an hour) and check the level then. Usually all the oil has settled back in the pan by then so you can get an accurate reading... But it doesn't make sense to have to look that hard or wait that long to get an accurate oil level reading. -.-

Edit: Actual capacity is indeed 3.5 qts with filter, 3.3 qts without filter.

 

I feel like I'm never sure what I'm reading either. In my case it's partly because I didn't have a car for so long I don't trust myself, but it is difficult to read especially with the oil so light.

 

I'm in the same boat as you, this dipstick is the worst I've ever come across.
i want to punch it in the face

 

It doesn't, but I've just never come across a dipstick that had to have a plastic piece grafted on to it's end. A completely flat surface has worked for decades, and leaves no room for misinterpretation.

New car does have me more cautious than ever as well.

 

 

I agree, it's the worst design I've come across-way more complicated than it needs to be. The "groove" design in the plastic tip tends to "wick" oil up the groove, giving a false reading.

 

Is that spec for Gen3 1.5 DI engine?
My '15 manual says 3.5 qts with filter.

 

Hmm, well I sit corrected. 3.5 qts with the filter is per Honda's spec. Just verified it myself.

 

Is it bad that I stopped checking since I can't read it? I have a hard time even seeing the oil on the dipstick right now.

 

I to am having a tough time getting an accurate reading with my car's dipstick. I'd like to find a conventional dipstick to replace it with.

 

Glad I wasn't the only one with this same frustration. I had to check the dipstick like 20 times to make sure I am seeing it correctly. Yes I did put in exactly 3.5 qts of Mobil 1 oil. But being careful of making sure I don't over or under fill the oil I always check the dipstick. As it is designed now it's almost useless. Almost to the point I need to use a black light just to see the damn oil on the stick. lol

P.S. This to you Honda: "If it ain't broken don't fix it!!" lol

Edit: I can understand maybe the plastic part to protect the metal tubing when we put the stick back in but please don't make that part of the oil reading. It's just too hard to see.

 

I know this is an older thread, but I'm posting today because evidently nothing has changed.

Had my first A-1, maintenance minder service at the dealership.
I ALWAYS check my oil level after I have it changed.

Went home, parked on an even surface, waited actually, over an hour or more, and checked the oil.

The combination of yellow plastic tip, and clear light colored synthetic oil made it near impossible to tell what the oil level is.

All I know is I have oil...but any precision as to what the actual oil level might be? I have no idea. It's just a coated plastic piece.

Totally horrendous design.

 

If you take a clean paper towel ( white or blue shop towel ) and lay the dip stick on it and roll it a bit you can see where the level ends fairly easy ( Had a jeep liberty with a dipper like these )

 

sono that's smart.

 

If you get your oil changed at the dealer, Honda slightly overfills for some reason. I've had my oil changed at 2 different dealerships on 4 separate occasions and they all slightly overfill. It's only about 6 ounces. I measured each time drawing out the excess oil with a hose until it registered full on the dipstick. On the showroom floor, I checked 3 more cars and they were all overfilled too by as much as a 1/2 inch over full mark. Don't know why Honda does this.

 

Dealers and shops use an automated fill gun that runs from a bulk supply ( barrels of oil) the automated guns have something similar to a dial timer on them, they set it to the amount and it automatically shuts off... I'm sure they aren't 100% accurate but close. Its too much work for them to use a funnel and open thousands of bottles a day...lol

 

Thanks, I'll try that.
Really the worst dipstick design I have ever seen.

And what bothers me? Is you KNOW at some point in design and testing, somebody tested and tried it.

It's almost if Honda doesn't want you to know what your oil level is.

 

It was the short guy with squinty eyes....lol