It's not a dumb question and there are two answers. Check it when hot or let it sit over night.

There are as many opinions about this as there recently were about whether to use synthetic oil in older cars.

Here's what I do.

The mfg of your vehicle suggests a specific amt of oil to be added during refill after draining oil and changing filter. The next time you change oil & filter, let it sit over night. Check the level the next am. There's your full mark.

It's that simple.

Larry Bible says to "change it hot; change it often". I agree.

I say "check it cold; check it often".

My 2 cents.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"