Toyota MR2 MK2 Oil Level (Noob in need of advice!!)

[Amebix]

I posted this in Jap chat but haven't had a response all day, and could really use some help! (Sorry if this is against the rules mods!)

Now I realise I'm setting myself up for a flogging but I'm going a bit mad here...

I've owned my MR2 for a couple of weeks now and of course when I first got it, I flicked through the handbook and stumbled accross this...



So I thought, 'well that must just be how these old Toyotas are done I suppose, even if i've never seen a car done this way'
And a few Old air cooled American bikes I've come into contact with over the years are done this way too...

But this now poses a problem as I'm giving it a service for the first time this weekend. I did the usual google of the forums etc for guidance and NONE of the threads give reference to checking the oil hot? Also poses the question as to how I'm supposed to accurately measure the new oil as I put it back in?

And now I'm panicking at work wondering whether my car's got far less oil in it than it should have!

Apologies for the rambling nature of this post - Any help from people who 'Know' would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[PaulKemp]

After service fill with oil to max mark, run car for a bit check level top up if necessary
Its unlikely you will be below min
Usually the min to max level is about 1litre some are 2
Whilst not recommended running below min for a short while is not an issue unless oil pressure warning light comes on

[HustleRussell]

Spot on, Paul. OP- don't panic.

P.S. Checking oil level on a pre-heated engine is quite normal these days.

[Amebix]

Cheers guys, I was just flapping a bit.
Guess I'd just never heard of it being done like that before...

Now i've got to choose some oil but i'll spare everybody the trauma of asking that particular question on here

Thanks again!

[theshrew]

If you check it hot or cold it isnt going to make a lot of difference anyway.

As long as the oil is between the 2 lines thats all it needs. People always have it in there head that it needs to be on the max mark all the time but thats not the case

[duncancallum]

my pug burns of to half way really quickly then settles down, I would do it cold on a service and check it a week or so after and wouldn't be to concerned

[andycaca]

the reason the manual says to check a cold engine is so all the oil has run down into the sump. this gives you a true reading of the amount of oil.

if you were to rag the car and then check the oil level, it would be lower than if you measured it first thing in the morning before starting (all things being equal).

its not a huge difference between hot and cold, certainly not the difference between the high and low marks on the dipstick.

[andyiley]

Didn't you read the original post?

It says to check it hot.