Check oil level!

[macdub]

Hi guys..
just this morning, "check oil level" message came up on MFD...I am booked in for my first service(15k) tomorrow..
is it safe to drive the car till tomorrow?

thanks for the help in advance..

[Hooti3]

Yep. There is still about 3.5L of oil in the car. What you see on the dipstick is about 1L or so.

[macdub]

Yep. There is still about 3.5L of oil in the car. What you see on the dipstick is about 1L or so.

thank you very much for a quick response!

[Diesel_vert]

Hi guys..
just this morning, "check oil level" message came up on MFD...I am booked in for my first service(15k) tomorrow..
is it safe to drive the car till tomorrow?

thanks for the help in advance..

Yes, but best to avoid unnecessary trips and/or driving enthusiastically. Normally one would top up ASAP, but since you are taking it to the dealer tomorrow, just leave it for the sake of one day - assuming the dealer isn't too far away.

Check the dipstick manually if you haven't already done so.
One should always verify physically upon seeing any sort of electronic warning message.

The owner's manual (please read it ) will advise you further.

[The_Hawk]

Our Multivan has done that a couple of times, the first time was a dead sensor, the second... well it's cleared, will see if it comes back again. From what I understand, to clear the code you need to open the bonnet with the keys in the ignition (which tells the car you have checked the oil), it then waits for the sensor to trigger again. If it's low of course it will happen straight away, if not it could be a dead sensor.

As Diesel_vert has said, you should always check your oil the old fashioned way and not rely on the sensor. I was given a 1L bottle of oil for my 118TSI when I picked it up in case I needed to top up the oil before the first service. There is chance you have actually burned through some oil, but there is only one way to find out for sure! Check it and see what's what, top up if necessary.

Given that you're in for a service tomorrow I would ask for a spare 1L bottle to keep at home (or in the car) so you have the appropriate oil to hand if it ever does turn out you need to top it up.

As a general rule it's a good habit to get into checking the oil level every time you fill up with fuel. I fill up, then check the oil. I tend to always use the same servo (and pump) so reading should be consistent. While you're there you can have a quick look over the engine bay to make sure nothing's obviously leaking/cracked etc etc. We aren't talking about crawling under, but a quick glance over each time might just catch something before it becomes more expensive

[gavs]

Umm, no it's not really safe to drive unless you top it up!

When the warning comes on, the oil is REALLY low, the oil temperature and level sender is in the very bottom of the sump. Many owners have burned through more than 2 liters of oil before the light comes on so you're down pretty darn far. As one person who has actually drained and refilled the oil in a GTI, I got no light come on with 2 litres of oil in the engine during filling up. Hooti is correct though in that the dipstick measures the last litre worth of oil. You should be checking the oil at least weekly if you have a GTI, you're flirting with danger if you're not.

[Hooti3]

Do a quick top up if you have any oil around.

[Karly101]

Hi guys..
just this morning, "check oil level" message came up on MFD...I am booked in for my first service(15k) tomorrow..
is it safe to drive the car till tomorrow?

thanks for the help in advance..

It depends on how fast the car is burning oil... before mine had piston rings replaced I was going through so much it would have been very bad not to refill as soon as the light came on! But.. I've always had it instilled in me to never let it get down so low that the light would come on and to never ignore the light... just unfortunately I was given a car that drank oil like fuel hah. But yeah as soon as the light comes on I always top up or head straight to the dealer (if not very far).