Damn Oil Paranoia

This may go down as the most useless thread ever, but haven't slept in a couple days. 3512 miles since last oil change. In AM 2 bars below full when cold, half way on the dipstick, and 1 bar above min after getting gas. Then last week was 3 bars below full in AM, no change in dipstick, but after last 2 fill ups was min and flashing. After the first time flashing I got paranoid. The hole IXX thing, etc. The second time I decided to add < 1/2 quart. This AM was 1 bar above full. Now I am paranoid the other direction. Damn Renn List. No responses required. Just venting.

I've found that only when the oil is fully warm (takes at least 15 minutes of driving) is the reading accurate. Re your stop for gas, it also takes a few minutes for all the oil in the upper engine to drip down back into the crankcase. So most likely the reading when you stopped for gas was low.

do an oil change now. no more guessing later

It is very important to be consistent with the oil level checking. I very quickly learned to check the oil only two times. One was after the car had sat overnight or after the engine having gotten up to operating temperature, and been there for some time, and then after say filling up the gas tank. The first scenario can have the level showing a bit low as the oil is cold. The amount the level is low is ambient temperature dependent, but in reasonably mild conditions say where the overnight temp falls to around 50F, the level will be down 2 bars. Colder overnight temperatures can have the level down 3 bars. The second scenario will have the oil level at what it is when the engine/oil are fully up to temperature. I generally like to keep the hot level at the max bar line but I'm not super-compulsive about it. Generally I will let the oil level work its way down util the level is down enough a full quart is required to bring it back to its full level. This keeps me from having to carry about an opened partially full bottle of oil. It is gotten to the point, it didn't take much time, that I never use the dipstick in my Boxster to check the oil level. The in-dash readout when used properly is very accurate and convenient. Also, I have to point out the accuracy of this is confirmed when the oil is changed. The oil change procedure is followed to ensure the amount of oil drained is consistent and then the specified amount of oil is added to the engine and the in-dash readout is then obtained and checked to ensure it agrees with the known amount of oil in the engine. The oil drain/refill and level check is done with the engine up to operating temperature. With a telemetry device installed in the car I have monitored the vehicle at the dealer and even though the car is cold -- say I've left the car there a day or more earlier for service -- the engine will be idled util it it up to temperature then the oil changed then the engine idled again after until the fresh oil is warmed up -- this doesn't take long with a "hot" engine -- then the level confirmed.

That's the plan. Actually going to have my daughter do it tonight. My 19 year old son...did oil changes on 5 cars with me for years. And last time when I asked him to add oil to the BMW he put the oil in the power steering fluid. My 14 year old daughter, describe how to do it and she can do change the oil solo while I sit inside and sleep.

When I remember to check it all I really want to see is that it measures on the gauge and isn't off the top high and off the chart low. Most times I start it up, let it warm up, and then go driving. [edit] when I really want to know I'll check the dipstick.

I never use the gauge. Dipstick when cold yep it's good enjoy life.

What he said ^

I'm the opposite. I check the oil when the engine is cold and I expect to see 2 bars below full. If anything is different, check the dipstick. No sense in checking it six times a day.

I'm with Rubik. I also live in CA. The mild weather doesn't change the "cold" level that much. Much less variations compared to checking the oil when hot since the oil temp can vary a lot (e.g., right after a hard run as opposed to just off the freeway).

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Yup. Also, I noticed recently when driving the Macan that although the water temp goes up pretty quickly, it takes a long while for the oil temp to reach operating temp. I'd have to say probably +10-15 min after your water gauge reaches the 180 mark. That's why when I take out my P-cars, I try to drive it for at least a half hour before bringing her back to the stable. If I need to make a quick run for milk at the store, I take the Prius; that's their purpose.

I check oil with the engine cold only.