Why is the oil on the dipstick a light tan color? It Looks like it was in a latte, a creamy light coffee color.
by 
Poodie13
ANSWERS: 6
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Be thankful its a light tan color, rather than black. This is the natural color of motor oil. It may look like a latte, but never take a drink. Also, make sure the oil level is always midway between the two marks at the end of the dipstick.
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Because there is dirt and chemicals in the oil.
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You have an internal water leak inside your engine. Cooling water is leaking into an area where oil is working and gets frothed up, damaging your oil and eventually damaging your engine to the point of self-destruction. Not good news.
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As 'raylrodr': water (i, coolant) is mixing with the oil == VERY BAD. The engine'll be rather quickly 'destroyed' if run on this 'slop'. Recom.: have TOWED (NOT driven) to a competent repair shop. P.S.: engine oil, after a very short period of time, 'll turn 'black' (== normal) as it's doing one of its many functions, ie:suspending carbon particles.
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If it's literally a cream then you're leaking engine coolant into your oil. It's most likely due to a bad head gasket. The water will emulsify the oil which is what you're seing. If you keep driving it the water could cause a failure in your crank/rod bearings which would render your engine useless. Have it checked out by a competent mechanic.
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That's how it should look. If you can't see through the oil on the dip stick, it's time to change the oil.
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