2007 trx400 ex oil level?

Hi everyone I actually have 2 questions about the oil on the 400ex

First, I'm curious how in the heck do you properly check the oil level?
Every time I pull out the dipstick it gives different readings. When I first go to warm it up I check the oil level and it only has a drop on the stick, the second it reads over full, the third its in the center of the stick.
I know the difference is probably due to the oil pump pushing oil into the engine at different intervals.
With it doing this I have no idea if I need to add some oil or not.


Second, I was told when changing the oil because of the pump you have to fill it and drive it then add more to it to circulate the oil, get it up in the cooler and engine etc., and the same goes for draining it. drain it out then run it and drain it out again. is this the correct method?

I did try that, I was hesitant of course but after the oil stopped draining out I fired up the engine then after I shut it down I got close to another quart out of it.

I think all the different readings has to be because of the pump. 1 time I read it the oil cooler might be full and the tank close to empty, the next time I read it the cooler or engine might be empty and the tank will be full. does this make sense?

I would believe that when the quad is shut off all the oil should drain back into the tank, but being the tank is separate and there is no gravity flow from the engine to the tank has me wondering.


Thank you