Audi A3 + S3 (2008 - ) - 08 1.4T Checking your oil

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Fri 19 Dec 2008 12:32
08 1.4T Checking your oil - Chris79
Quick question, please excuse my ignorance!

when should you check your oil level - i always thought it was whwn the engine was cold.

Local dealer says thats when you should do it, Cars handbook says to do it when the engine is warm. Have done both and you get unsuprisingly get markedly different reading?.

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Fri 19 Dec 2008 12:36
08 1.4T Checking your oil - Pugugly
Go with the Handbook - they probably know more than the dealers !
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Fri 19 Dec 2008 13:18
08 1.4T Checking your oil - rtj70
The handbook for my car (Mazda6 diesel) says to warm the engine to normal operating temperature then to stop it and wait at least ten minutes for the oil to drain back into the sump and then to check it.
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Fri 19 Dec 2008 13:29
08 1.4T Checking your oil - Bill Payer
I might have imagined this, but I've always believed oil level was designed to be checked during a refueling stop. This would imply engine hot, and having been stopped for, perhaps, 5 mins.

Whatever you do, it's critical in a modern engine not to overfill it, just keep the level between the marks.

Edited by Bill Payer on 19/12/2008 at 13:30

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Fri 19 Dec 2008 13:33
08 1.4T Checking your oil - rtj70
Unless you have a Mazda6 diesel with DPF in which case there is a third mark (X) which is 6cm above full... ;-)

The other obvious point is to check the oil level when the car is on level ground.
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Fri 19 Dec 2008 14:33
08 1.4T Checking your oil - DP
I would have thought the critical point with regard to when to check would be after the oil had drained back to the sump (usually 10 mins or so after running). Does oil temperature affect level??

Edited by DP on 19/12/2008 at 14:33

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