VQ35 engine oil level question (R50 Pathfinder?)

[Martinjmpr]

Just a question for those knowledgeable on the VQ35 (3.5 V6) on the R50 Pathfinder...
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Filling up my 2002 SE today, I checked the oil like I usually do and the dipstick was bone dry. So I pulled out the manual and it said something like to park the truck on a level surface and wait 10 minutes for the oil to settle and THEN check the level.
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So is there something weird about the architecture of the VQ35 that makes it take a while for the engine oil to fill the sump before you can check it? I'm used to pulling up to a gas pump, shutting off the engine, pumping gas and checking oil at the same time.
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The engine runs fine, no drama at all, and no warning lights. I don't want to run the risk of over-filling the oil, but I don't want it under-filled either. I'm used to the practice of waiting until my vehicle runs up to operating temperature before checking the oil (old Army PMCS habit) - how are those of you with VQ-35 engines checking your oil? Check it in the morning after it's been sitting all night? Would that give me a more accurate measure?

 

[wreckdiver1321]

I have the VQ40 on my Frontier, which is similar. Here's how I do it: run the truck to operating temp, then park on a level surface and shut the truck off. I wait a few minutes, then check the oil. That's how the manual tells you to do it, and it's always worked for me.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I have the VQ40 on my Frontier, which is similar. Here's how I do it: run the truck to operating temp, then park on a level surface and shut the truck off. I wait a few minutes, then check the oil. That's how the manual tells you to do it, and it's always worked for me.

So how long do you figure is enough time. 10 minutes?

 

[wreckdiver1321]

So how long do you figure is enough time. 10 minutes?

I've waited anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes. Depends what I'm doing. It never made that much of a difference. What oil do you use? I use 5W-30 in mine, so if you're using thicker oil I could see it taking a LITTLE longer, but not much.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I've waited anywhere from 3 to 20 minutes. Depends what I'm doing. It never made that much of a difference. What oil do you use? I use 5W-30 in mine, so if you're using thicker oil I could see it taking a LITTLE longer, but not much.

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When I bought it in September it had just had the oil changed and I think they used 10w40. It's not due for another oil change for at least a month so I'll probably go to 5w30 when I do, particularly since it's mid-winter now.
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Thanks for the input!

 

[broncobowsher]

If you check it after the engine has been running for 30 seconds at -25° I could see it taking several minutes for the thick oil to completely drain back to the sump. Figure the instructions were written by an anel engineer that want's everything to be lab perfect and remove as many variables as possible. Thus wait an excessive amount of time to cover the worst possible drain back scenerio (cold thick oil having to drain back) and the other variable of the level ground as I don't know of any engine that has the dipstick in the center of the sump. They are always off to a side a little bit, so the angle will change the reading slightly.

Most of this stuff will result in the readings being ever so slightly different. But no oil on the stick, that is low plain and simple. It isn't the difference that some person who checks and makes exact notes of the exact oil level on a daily basis would notice.