Quick question..

When I check the oil level in my OM616 first thing in the morning it is at the low point on the dip stick (or a tad below it).

Once the motor is warmed up, and I mean full operating temp for a bit so that the oil is hot it will read around the halfway mark on the dipstick.

How is this possible? Wouldn't common sense dictate that the oil level would be less? Does oil really expand that much?

Reason I ask is that I once added oil based off the cold reading and ended up with an overfilled engine that I had to drain off.

On the other side I don't want to be driving around with a low oil level.

/End neurotic ranting. thanks!