Oil/dipstick question

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Dave Collins

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Hi guys,

Weird question. Does the 8v S3 sportback have a low oil warning light? And does anyone have an issue reading their dipstick? I have read mine 3 times this morning and got 3 different readings. 1 fresh before starting engine from being sat all night, oil was below low level. Then drove to Tesco's which is 5 mins away and checked again. Oil was up by max level mark (checked 3/4 times). Then drove home, left car settle for 5 then checked it again and oil level was just a smidge below half mark.

Its driving me nuts but don't want to leave the oil level to an LED light going off. Did that with a Type R and the ****** blew up on me and cost 6000 to repair

Any info or thoughts greatly received.

Dave
 
I was always told to dip the oil when the car is warm.
I assume there is an oil warning light, but never seen mine come on.
 
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It looks like it does, why not keep a top up bottle in the boot just in case? Then top up before a long journey/trip.
 
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In practice it isn't critical when you do it as long as you occasionally do - and don't wait for the light to come on.
Recommended - Dip the engine oil at operating temperature, switch off and wait a couple of minutes for the oil to run back into the sump. Check whilst on level ground of course.
 
Matt Titanium said:
In practice it isn't critical when you do it as long as you occasionally do - and don't wait for the light to come on.
Recommended - Dip the engine oil at operating temperature, switch off and wait a couple of minutes for the oil to run back into the sump. Check whilst on level ground of course.
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Can't even do that on mine, no stick to do it! Have to go on the mmi or use the app:

Oil
 
Whatever method you use the oil level should never be below the minimum mark, so the engine definitely requires a little bit of oil adding.
Ideally a stone cold engine should be reading half way between minimum and maximum.
 
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With either hot, medium, or cold. you have to let oil settle. driving 5 minutes and then checking will give you wacky readings, the endine will be barely warm. The method I prefer is left overnight on a LEVEL surface, then pull the dipstick it will give you the correct level in the sump. Failing that a HOT engine left for 5 minutes on a level surface and then check.
The OP needs to add oil to his engine.
 
Hi all,

Thanks for your responses.

So situ is I went out 15 mins ago, car has been idle and cold for 5/6 hours. Checked the dipstick and the oil was down by minimum level. So I added half a litre of oil. Left it a minute to let it settle, then checked the dipstick again. The min to max was covered in oil... did this 4 times, same result. Very frustrated to be honest. But maybe I am just obsessing over it and should leave it?

Dave
 
Normally it takes around a litre to go from minimum to maximum on the dipstick, but you will definitely be ok with what you've got so don't worry about it.
However do get into the habit of checking the dipstick around once a month for peace of mind.
 
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Ron240 said:
Normally it takes around a litre to go from minimum to maximum on the dipstick, but you will definitely be ok with what you've got so don't worry about it.
However do get into the habit of checking the dipstick around once a month for peace of mind.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ron240,

I think my frustration is born out of the readout being different everytime, plus I had an oil change 6 weeks ago as part of a interim service so thought it would ok for a while after that.

Good to have some feedback though, thank you

Dave
 
I always check oil levels a couple of days after service so oil gets a chance to circulate and filter to work.
 
Alistair D said:
I always check oil levels a couple of days after service so oil gets a chance to circulate and filter to work.
Click to expand...
This is true, but while you mention service.....I have found that its a good idea to check your tyre pressures after a dealer service(or tyre fitting), because they are sometimes different to manufacturer recommended.
 
I always have problems reading mine, like you tried cold / hot engine etc, sometimes get oil marks way past the dipstick markers! Luckily I have an oil pump so put that to max marker and pump to ensure that there isn’t actually any oil past max!
 
Dave Collins said:
Thanks Ron240,

I think my frustration is born out of the readout being different everytime, plus I had an oil change 6 weeks ago as part of a interim service so thought it would ok for a while after that.

Good to have some feedback though, thank you

Dave
Click to expand...

You had an oil change 6 weeks ago and the oil level was at minimum....something is not right. Faulty oil change most likely. Keep an eye on oil level every week to mke sure you do not have excessive oil consumption , as you are now midway between low and full with a 1/2 litre added. If you add oil and then immediately check the level it will be covered in oil as it travels to the sump. Again, check after leaving overnight or on a hot engine after 5 minutes or longer. I always check my oil level after an oil change, people make mistakes.
 
Ron240 said:
This is true, but while you mention service.....I have found that its a good idea to check your tyre pressures after a dealer service(or tyre fitting), because they are sometimes different to manufacturer recommended.
Click to expand...
Yep, in the past mine have been 10 psi over!
 
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Have always been told to test oil cold and settled, either way it shouldn’t be below the minimum mark.
 
The more you dip, the messier things get..... Now that's a life story!
Basically the more you use the dip stick - the more gets pulled into the tube and messes up the reading as oil sticks to the dip when pulling it out so after 2,3 or 4 dips you need to let the dipstick tube drip out. - this is made worse with cold oil as the viscosity is higher.
Either do one / two dips when cold (on a level surface) or when up to full temp and settled for 5 mins min on a level surface.
 
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TYb said:
Have always been told to test oil cold and settled, either way it shouldn’t be below the minimum mark.
Click to expand...

Was always told to test oil cold but Audi's are now done hot - very strange - needs to be between the 2 markers when hot - If at the lower end I usually top up 1/4 - 1/2 a litre
 
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Sparks43 said:
needs to be between the 2 markers when hot
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Or cold. :)
I'm not disagreeing with you....its just that the purpose of these 2 markers is to indicate the acceptable level regardless of engine temperature.

For the record I'm old school and would always check my oil with the engine stone cold, ideally sat overnight.
Modern synthetic oils expand with heat much more than conventional mineral oil, so this is something to take into consideration.
 
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Flying Scotsman said:
You had an oil change 6 weeks ago and the oil level was at minimum....something is not right. Faulty oil change most likely. Keep an eye on oil level every week to mke sure you do not have excessive oil consumption , as you are now midway between low and full with a 1/2 litre added. If you add oil and then immediately check the level it will be covered in oil as it travels to the sump. Again, check after leaving overnight or on a hot engine after 5 minutes or longer. I always check my oil level after an oil change, people make mistakes.
Click to expand...

Exactly my sentiments, 6 weeks ago & now down to minimum, I'd say they didn't test it properly themselves or just didn't add enough.
 
Dave Collins said:
So situ is I went out 15 mins ago, car has been idle and cold for 5/6 hours. Checked the dipstick and the oil was down by minimum level. So I added half a litre of oil. Left it a minute to let it settle, then checked the dipstick again. The min to max was covered in oil... did this 4 times, same result.
Click to expand...
Just checking, but are you wiping the dipstick off each time? I remove it, wipe with clean kitchen roll, insert again then pull out and read.

But as someone said, if you keep putting it in and out then it pulls oil up the inside of the tube and the readings start to become impossible until it’s all run down again.

The warning light does come on at about minimum-there’s a level light as well as an about-to-if-not-already-ruined-the-engine pressure light. But it’s still best to avoid either coming on.

And yes, it’s about 1 litre from min to max.
 
I just bought an 8V 2020 S3, it seems like the dipstick is stuck! Don't want to pull too hard, does anyone know if something causes this to happen and what to do? In my previous Leon Cupra from 2016 I've never had a problem. It at least looks like it is the same dipstick.

Any guidance appreaciated.
 
Rambo91 said:
I just bought an 8V 2020 S3, it seems like the dipstick is stuck! Don't want to pull too hard, does anyone know if something causes this to happen and what to do? In my previous Leon Cupra from 2016 I've never had a problem. It at least looks like it is the same dipstick.

Any guidance appreaciated.
Click to expand...

Just give it a good tug.

Maybe twist is a little too.
 
Neo17 said:
Just give it a good tug.

Maybe twist is a little too.
Click to expand...
Already did, tug and twist, didn't help. I've used the same dipstick in my previous car for 7.5 years. It was never like this.
 
Rambo91 said:
Already did, tug and twist, didn't help. I've used the same dipstick in my previous car for 7.5 years. It was never like this.
Click to expand...
@Neo17 I decided to give it another try whilst I just got back from shopping, and I guess as they say 3rd time is the charm! Tug and twist did it this time. Got it out and measured the oil level. I can finally feel a bit more relaxed haha. Thanks anyway.
 
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