Checking Oil Level cold or hot?

[minke]

Hi everyone,

Age old question - Doing my head in a bit. I just checked my GTi and found it below the low part of the hashed area when cold on a level surface. drove it 5km to get some oil and now find it in the middle.

Do I fill to the maximum (top of the hash mark) while hot or cold? I think cold personally, but what have others found out (ie fact not opinions)

Cheers

[Guest001]

Did you pull the dipstick and wipe it clean and put it back in to check. Always do that

I have always done mine first thing in the morning when all the oil has drained down. However in a recent thread some say turn motor off and wait 10 mins and do it.

Will stick to my way which means ALL the oil is in the sump. Having too much is sometimes worse than not enough. The Manual says turn engine off Wait for a few minutes and check. It also says too much can damage Cat so what do you do. Follow whats in the Manual I guess if you are worried It tells you and shows pics of the dipsticks used.

[Silvertfox]

If you want facts, VW provide a handy manual that provides all the facts you need.
If you want opinions you've come to the right place. Most oil checks require the engine to be warm. A lot of dipsticks also have this stamped on them. I check all my vehicles when they are warm.

[Diesel_vert]

Age old question...

Do I fill to the maximum (top of the hash mark) while hot or cold?

Age old answer...

Refer to the owner's manual.

[Mi16 Man]

Here are two pics detailing the levels. Basically, the oil level should be in the 'dipped' area. Top kink is max, lower kink is min. Hashed/chequer plate area is 'comfort zone'......

[Guest001]

Here are two pics detailing the levels. Basically, the oil level should be in the 'dipped' area. Top kink is max, lower kink is min. Hashed/chequer plate area is 'comfort zone'......

Good advice but it doesnt say WHEN to do it to achieve posted instructions only HOW to do it.


Cold, Hot, hot and wait 10 mins???????????????????????


I do mine first thing in the morning when all oil is in the sump as if too much then it could foam if crank should hit it ( Unlikely I know)

This was endlessly thrashed a few months ago and I think the wait 10 mins and do it was the popular recommendation but 'RTFM"

[golfandtiguan]

Here are two pics detailing the levels. Basically, the oil level should be in the 'dipped' area. Top kink is max, lower kink is min. Hashed/chequer plate area is 'comfort zone'......

In a wet sump setup, as is the case for most road vehicles, measuring oil requires a bit of common sense.

If your vehicle has been running, wait a few minutes for some of the oil to drain back to the sump.
If dipstick is in the 'c' region, wait a few more minutes (could still be draining)
If it stays in the 'c' region after about 10 minutes, then sure, top up a bit.
If dipstick is in the 'b' region, sweet.

Nowhere does it say that oil must always be at the 'a' level, just it should not be more than 'a' (hence why it's called the 'max' level)

The car does not need ~5L of oil in at all times, it just needs enough to have some going through the engine, the sump and scavenge pump at all times. The 'c' level indicated is the level of oil required before you risk starving the scavenge pump, meaning loss of oil pressure, which can lead to engine failure.

And remember, if the check oil light comes on, there's a fair chance you need more oil

[Finance_Analyst]

Thanks guys - it was odd that the stick had oil all the way to half way up the stick. The car was serviced at a VW dealer and I read in the manual it takes 4.7L (not sure if that is inclusive of the oil filter). I provided my own oil and they gave back maybe 0.1L in the container so I assume they were close.

Either way, have warranty to fall back on as the dealer did it should something happen......

[Mi16 Man]

And, apply common sense.

[Guest001]

And, apply common sense.

The reason I asked was because the OP asked and your post said how to do it but not when .

I have gone and got my manual and I quote.

Have car on a level surface. Switch off engine and wait a few minutes for oil to flow back into sump.

The oil can be checked IMMEDIATELY IF THE ENGINE IS COLD. Like first thing in the morning as I do.

I recommend the cold method as you are sure all the oil is down and therefore you wont overfill it if you are careful and only put small amounts in at a time and wait for it to get down.

The difference between the low "C" mark and high "A" mark is 1.5 litres according to the manual

Its on page 296 in mine if OP wants a quick reference save looking in the Index