Originally Posted by JCL

All this talk about oil dipsticks, but not about how to do it properly. Inconsistent readings are usually user error in my experience.

1) Engine has to be at operating temperature. (I've missed this part here. Always measure after ~2min idle following an oil change. I do re-check after some drive time though) Drive it 10 miles or so. If it is cold, it will not read correctly.
2) Vehicle has to be level, front/back and left/right.
3) Shut it off. Allow 5 minutes for the circulating oil to run back down to the sump. If you don't, it will not read correctly. If you check it a few times and the reading isn't changing any longer, fine. If the stick has residual oil on it making it difficult to read, you probably haven't let it drain down.
4) Make sure the dipstick is fully inserted.
5) Try measuring with the dipstick spun 180 degrees. It can make a difference in some vehicles due to the way the dipstick enters the sump.
6) Sometimes a vehicle has the wrong dipstick. I have seen this with new vehicles, and with older vehicles where a dipstick was swapped. This isn't common, but it something to check if all of the above fails to get a reading consistent with published fill capacities.

Jeff