i have had my truck for 1 month and went to check the oil and found the dipstick dry...

oil pressure is great, runs fine and the parts shop guys have no clue..

its an 1998 5.4 F150 lariat styleside

anyhelp on the actual dipstick and how much you guys put in and what it usually reads? and any hints?

 

Have you been able to check the oil the past month you've had the truck? Hard to blieve you would buy a truck and not check the oil. If you haven't been able to check the oil in the past month, change it and add the proper amount and see how the dip stick reads, you have to verify the correct dip stick is installed.

 

was it full when you got it?

I generally check my oil once a week (so I get bored easily...)

Other than that, I would say fill it up, and see if it drops. Check around and see if you can see any oil leaks.

 

Unless you know when the last change was.... Change the oil first before you do too much else. Old oil tends to burn off rather quick, my '99 used to go 6-8 K miles then use a quart in about 2 weeks. I would change the oil and not use any more oil for another 6K miles or so. Engine had 220,000 on it when I finally traded it in.

 

your oil level on the dip stick should be near the max mark it takes approx. one qrt of oil if showing at the low mark.
and check with the engine warm. 10 min after shut down.

With higher milage engines you can expect to burn some oil if you go on long tripsover2hrs. Check when you start your truck
for blue smoke, check the plugs,compression and for oil leaks.