Advice

[stevep]

Hi Guys - The digital oil display on my car shows that there are no empty bars first thing in the morning.
I alway check this before engine start up! When I checked the dip stick later in the day - the car had been standing for a hour or so - it appeared to be nearly half way between the two markers. Do I need to top it up or is this still OK?
I have not used the car for a couple of weeks and there was some smoke on start up today - it cleared after a short time with no more appearing. I am assuming that this is because of the engine lay out and the fact that the car has been standing for some time!
Cheers
Steve

 

[adrian996]

Hi Steve. Ignore that electronic measurement until;

a.the engine is fully up to working temp.
and
b.you've shut the engine off and given the oil enough time to settle down so that it can be accurately measured.

Personally, I've always gone by the electronic measurement rather than the stick.

Mine (and most others I think) always gives a little puff of smoke on start up. Mine goes without being driven for weeks too.

It all seems like pretty 'normal' behaviour for your engine to me. Not sure if you have a garage for the car but you're bound to notice the smoke more on start up within a confined space. I don't have a garage and my smoke tends not to linger around as a result.

Adrian.

 

[adrian996]

P.S. You'll know that she's completely up to temp when your water temp. is around 90 deg C and (more importantly) your oil pressure is hovering around 2.5 bar.