Oil Level Confusion
 

The owner's manual says something like checking the oil level 10 minutes or so after shut down, so I've done that.

Last oil change was 2,000 km ago. So recently checked the level just few minutes after shut down and it was so low that it was near the lower "dot" in the dipstick.

Checked the level again few days after that and this time the car had been off for about three hours - the level wasn't low anymore and right at the upper dot in the dipstick.

So, what's the correct reading here? The one that's showing very low (checked few minutes after shut down) or the one that's showing the correct level (checked three hours after shut down)?

My understanding from owning previous, older cars is that you always check the level several hours after shut down (in fact, ideally in the morning before starting). However, since the owner's manual here says few minutes after shut down is fine, so that's a bit confusing.

If I go by the reading that's done few minutes after shut down (i.e. very low) and I end up adding a bunch of oil, wouldn't this be an overfill if I checked the level again several hours after shut down (once most of the oil has had time to drain down)?

Oil: using Amsoil 0W20 Synthetic
Driving: stop-and-go traffic with occasional "canyon carving" on the weekends. No autocross or track days yet.
Vehicle: currently at only 8,200km and bought brand new a few months ago


So, is this thing already eating oil?

The time you checked it a few minutes after shut down had the oil been up to temperature prior to shut down, or was it just after a short drive and still cold? I'm not near my car to check the manual right now, but as I recall it specifies 5 minutes after shut down, provided the oil was up to temperature while the engine was running. If you checked it cold that would give you a lower measurement. Also were you parked on a level surface each time?

Yes, the oil was definitely up to temperature when i checked it few minutes after shut down.

When I checked it three hours after shut down, at the time of turning it off it was also well up to temperature.

I make sure the car is parked at a level surface each time I do this.

Which oil level concerns you? The one when it's colder, or the one closer to what you drive the car at? I think you'll find your answer in this question

Holy farting cows Batman!
Add a little less than half a bottle.
Then sale car, buy a 2014+ Audi. They don't have dip sticks. But a digital oil level on the infotainment unit.
Problem solved.

I'm sure some newer cars have that digital oil level but I only know of the newer Audi

If you change your interpretation of the instructions to mean to wait at least 10 minutes after shutdown then it all falls into place.

Do you have one in stock??


:D


humfrz

Audi's do have 'dip sticks', you'll find them located on the driver's seat.

Sadly no. I could get some used ones. I recommend the S models. More bang for the buck. In performance, maintenance well...that's a different story.

I thought that was BMWs?

I can see a theme here...

Oh, my, WC-BRZ, I'm ah feared you are waaaaaay over thinking this oil level situation.

Yes, the dipstick does stick itself into the oil in the crankcase at an angle, so, the reading on one side of the dipstick may be different from the reading on the other side of the dipstick.

The reading will usually be different if the reading is taken when the engine is warm (after shut down) as compared to when the engine is cold.

The objective is to keep the oil level between the two little holes in the dipstick. Having the level a bit up towards the top hole would be preferable, especially prior to a work out (track time).

OK, so what to do.

As eluded to above, I also suggest, you establish a "benchmark".

Place your car on a relatively level surface, to where you will most always check the oil, and pick a time (minutes after shutdown) to check the oil. Use the same technique (pull the dipstick, wipe off, reinsert, pull again OR just pull the dipstick) - every time.. Read the same side of the dipstick.

Now, you are in a position to take readings. - :thumbup:

As the truckers say, "just keep it between the ditches" - like, "just keep it between the holes".

(Does not apply when having sex)


humfrz

Here’s another way of thinking of it:
You want the oil to be at the highest level possible within the correct range(in other words, at the upper dot on the dipstick), during normal running conditions. We do this to ensure proper lubrication while cornering and braking and avoid submerging the crankshaft with too high an oil level. The catch is you can’t check oil while the engine is running because taking off the dipstick often causes a vacuum leak big enough to trigger a check engine light, as well as it is less safe to the average consumer(this is why many cars switched to sensors instead of dip sticks). So that’s why instructions say to drive your car until oil temp stabilizes, turn off the engine, and immediately check oil.

-Checking while cold will give a false lower reading because it takes longer for thick, cold oil to drain back to the sump.
-Checking long after shutdown will give a false higher reading because all the oil will drain down from places like the head and oil filter that would normally have more oil when running.
-And sometimes the opposite is true because volumes change so much with temperature and all the more reason everything needs to be at normal, running temperatures.

FFS!! What next?? Checking the car tyre pressures after having established a "benchmark" and letting the tyres go through a heat cycle but ensuring that they've cooled down for approximately 27minutes at 27c at sea level.. however, if nitrogen filled then you're fucked!