Just had my first service (no problems just an oil change) and asked about the dodgy dipstick. First time I checked my oil was in the dark while fueling up. Took nearly five minutes to put the darn thing back in the hole.

Mentioned this to the service manager and she (yes - she) said that Nissan deliberately made it difficult so that owners would be reluctant to change their own fluids. What crap! They made it difficult so as to force owners to come to them for their regular servicing!

Any tips as to how to put the dip stick back in place without bending it into a pretzel?

 

Yeh the dipstick thing, haha, not the best feature by far of the car. So many peeps have diff with it.
First of all you need a light, as you've found out, in the dark is near impossible. A trouble light for home, or flashlight for the gas station.
I've attached a pic of mine which I can now insert easily. I did this because the end can easily get bent up with failed attempts to insert. There's also a slight bend in the length to help. (see pic).
With a little practice, it's not so bad.
I've also found that especially with fresh oil, checking the level b4 driving first thing in the morning is best. After driving, the oil collects in the dipstick tube and muddles the readings.
Thankfully we don't have to check oil level that often. And Oh yeh, the stick is tough because of limited space. I'm sure Nissan/Infiniti want all their customers to check oil frequently--- It's too bad they didn't plan this little item a little better so that we could do that.
Otherwise nice ride tho LOL

<font color=red>GSM</font color=red> <font color=black>Silverstone Coupe</font color=black>

102862-Coupe Dipstick.jpg

 

Yeah, the dip stick design is a piece of art.

Pssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........


It's still a G thang!!