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Automobile Enthusiasts

Beatlelvr

(706 posts) Tue Oct 1, 2024, 07:56 AM Oct 2024

What's with the dipstick? [View all]

So I'm on a road trip through Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Beautiful fall colors! All of a sudden my 2015 Outback has no oil. I had the car serviced before the trip. My car does not go through alot of oil. My feeling is, they forgot the oil change. So I put a quart in, I check every morning, and everything's fine. Question: why is the dipstick the color of oil? Why isn't it white, or yellow or something reasonable? Have wondered this for years.

11 replies

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What's with the dipstick? [View all] Beatlelvr Oct 2024 OP

Most all the cars I've had have metal dipsticks. You wouldn't want paint on them getting into the engine somehow. MichMan Oct 2024 #1

I had to quit getting my oil changed at Walmart. They charged me for and did not do the last two oil changes ... marble falls Oct 2024 #2

Should be the color of oil. Be happy it's not black. brush Oct 2024 #3

All oil turns dark over time. MichMan Oct 2024 #4

Should change it regulary. Oil colored to dark brown is normal...' brush Oct 2024 #5

All the ones I've had are metal also. Old Crank Oct 2024 #6

Pretty soon you won't have to worry about it. cloudbase Oct 2024 #7

I Hate Sensors. usonian Oct 2024 #9

Good point! JohnnyRingo Oct 2024 #8

THIS is the reason dipsticks are the color of metal Best_man23 Oct 2024 #11

A suggestion that may help (assuming you might not know already) marked50 Oct 2024 #10