Because I am always checking the oil when I get within 10′ of the dipstick, I have noticed our oil is much darker when it’s cold (during preflight for example) and noticeably lighter in color after a flight when everything is warmed up. This change in color occurs as quick as 2 or 3 hours after oil change. The older the oil is, the less change there is between the lightest and darkest color difference. This may be normal but as a relatively new owners its new to us.

Curious, Pat Hendren