Verification on oil change.....

[300exryder]

i just changed the oil on my 97 300ex with mobil 1 15/w50. I used 1 and a half quarts and when i screw the dipstick all the way in, it shows just above the full line but when i dont screw it in, it shows a little below the halfway mark on the dipstick. What is the correct way of checking the oil? The last time i changed it i put in just about 2 quarts and it showed full when i screwed the dipstick in; so now ive come to you guys for help.

15w50 is the correct oil for summer temperatures (70-90) right??

I also noticed a ticking noise that seemed to be coming from the back end (toward the axle when sitting on it) of where the clutch is. It got a heck of a lot louder after the oil change; previously i was running 10/w40.

Any comments or correct ways of checking the oil would be appreciated.

[Deathbringer]

I believe that you are supposed to check it by just inserting it the whole way in but not screwing it in... then take your reading.

Correct me if I am wrong guys, but I am pretty sure.

[redzoomer]

I believe that you are supposed to check it by just inserting it the whole way in but not screwing it in... then take your reading.

That is the way I've always done it.

[dirtclog]

shop manual says
20w-50
20w-40
10w-40
10w-30

I check it without screwing in dipstick also.

Yea you guys are right about not screwing it in to check the oil level I just dug out my manual to check and it sayd to not screw it in to check the oil lever.