How are you checking your engine oil?

[SugarMouth]

I can not find a consistent answer on this one.

Ford says:
Make sure that your vehicle is on level ground.
Check the oil level before starting the engine, or switch the engine off after warm up and wait 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the oil pan.
Note: Checking the oil level too soon could result in an inaccurate reading.

Except you get two different readings cold or 15 minutes after running it. 15 minutes after shut off on mine shows just under top hole. If checked cold it shows 1/4" above top hole.

Someone from a dealer said they check it 20-30 seconds after shut off which shows 5/8 in the hash on mine.

So with those three suggestions, I have three different readings.

Specifically, where should ours read and when?

 

[Birdofprey]

Level ground before you start it.

 

[SugarMouth]

Here is why I ask. This shows where the oil reads 5 minutes after shut down, 15 minutes after shut down and first thing in the morning cold.



With the appropriate amount of oil to avoid launch starvation where should this read and when is it read?