Checking Oil Level

[Guest]

Can someone tell me, when I should check the oil level on a 2.7 Boxster. I am getting 2 different levels on the guage when the car is warm and when cold - which I know is natural. On our Focus the handbook tells you to check the oil level when the engine is warm and top up accordingly.

 

[JCB..]

Catherine

I suggest sitting down for an hour and reading your manual. All you need to know is contained within. Check when car has been standing on level ground.

Regards

JCB..

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Check when car has been standing on level ground.

Perhaps the most important bit.

I find the indicated level varies massively on even the gentlest of slopes.

 

[JCB..]

I find the indicated level varies massively on even the gentlest of slopes.

Can you remeber how long it tells you to wait?

(The car park is 15 minutes walk)

JCB..

 

[Mark_Bennett]

The wait time varies as well.

Sometimes it is a few seconds, other times I have seen it say an hour or so!
(Guess which one gets ignored[&:])

I always check now and again with the dipstick - Still don't trust the electronic display (which is now deleted on the 2005MY car[8|])

Having said all that. I think I've only ever put about a quarter of a ltre in (once). The level always stays the same. Track day, Autobahn burn-up, pootle around the countryside. Always stays the same.

 

[Guest]

Well I did read the manual before I posted and unlesss I have been a dumb female, I couldn't see anything other than waiting for the clock to count down (which obviously I have done).

The car is parked on a level area and I am getting differing readings when warm and cold

 

[Mark_Bennett]

The readings will be different when warm and cold.

The oil will not have all flowed back in to the sump when warm, however (just to be awkward) this is the time to do it!

I'm sure it says somewher in the manual (probably under the section dealing with checking the oil level with the dipstick), that the car must be level, the engine must be up to temperature, and to turn the car off and let stand for a few minutes to let the oil drain into the sump.

The same criterion apply with the electric oil level check.

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

The readings will be different when warm and cold.

The same criterion apply with the electric oil level check.

[&o]Yes but when the engine is stone cold the electronic reading appears in seconds. When the engine is up to temperature it sometimes takes minutes to give back a reading! So wouldn't a cold electronic reading be best option

 

[GreigM]

I understood you should use the electronic gauge when the engine is cold, and the dipstick when the engine is hot.

A perfectly level surface is very important - a garage or other is best.

 

[Guest]

Well I am pleased to sat that the car has been into the local OPC today to have the wiper blades replaced and the hood ajusted to eliminate some squeeking. The service advisor told me to check the oil when the car engine temperature is 80 degrees.