Oil Pressure question

Reading the manual on oil pressure I couldnt find what the normal pressure should be apart from it stating that at 5000 rpm it should be at 3.5. And to switch off if it drops to zero and the lights light up on the dash. The reason I started reading it is that on startup from cold the pressure sticks at close to 5. Once warmed up its at 2, sometimes less than 2 after an hour or so drive stuck in traffic. On acceleration i.e. rev counter moves from idle to say 1500 rpm pressure shoots to 5, or if cruising at 2000 rpm and accelerating with the rev counter going to 3000 rpm it shoots to 5 from 2.5. No warning lights light up, I've only driven her 600 miles since I bought her 2 months ago from an OPC and I check the oil levels as per instructed. Although I think the OPC may have put a bit too much oil in as its slightly over the max mark on the dip stick. the car is C4 3.6, anyone know if the above is normal oil pressure behaviour?

Generally sounds normal, although I would personally prefer to see slightly higher oil pressure at hot idle - a smidgeon above 2, although nothing to worry about if it's heavy traffic when the car is running very hot. But... ... this doesn't sound normal... unless you meant "2.5 to 5" in which case it is [normal].

Cheers Polar Express, very much appreciated. Sorry, on accelerating it goes from 2.5 to 5. What worried me is the statement in the manual that it should be 3.5 at 5000 rpm, therefore I would'nt expect the pressure to go above 3.5 until I hit 5000 rpm. Because it hits 5 on accelerating I ease off as I worry something might go pop behind me. Funnily enough for my everyday car I check the oil once a year, it's nearly 18 years old and nothing has gone wrong with it (touch wood), old Mercs for you. With the C4 I check it after every drive.....Im such a loser.

Had the same worries with mine. 'tis normal. Seeing the needle drop as my revs fell really concerned me the first time I saw it.

It is a bit unsettling seeing the needle move about a fair bit during the course of a drive. I was more concerned with the pressure hitting the top on startup and staying there for the first 15 mins before settling down. Good to see I can rest a bit easier. I guess one thing I didnt really check was if ruising at 3000 rpm that the pressure settles back down. Hmmm reason to take the car out for a drive tonight I think

Not at all techie myself so can't comment on the numbers but I do know I spent a lot of time in my first Porsche watching the oil level/temp/pressure, then I relaxed and started watching the road and going faster and enjoyed it all a lot more. What you are experiencing is normal for a new owner - but trust the engineering and enjoy the car. It will pay you back every time you start it up.

would be more worried if it only showed 3.5 at 5k tbh

Your comment re the oil being overfilled is interesting. When I bought my car the oil level was above the maximum. After my last service (major at an OPC) the oil level was above maximum again. It's a bit of a concern as too much oil sloshing around isn't going to help the RMS either. I'd be interested in others' experiences on this.

Thanks! Went for a drive this morning with one of the tech advisers from Chiswick on an different matter but it gave me an opportunity to ask a few newbie questions on oil pressure, petrol to use etc Regarding oil as you guys say all is normal. On startup it will be at 5 until everything heats up. On hot days or stuck in traffic it can go down to 1 after a bit of time. The manual can be misleading in that we have to remember it was written by non English speakers and correct technical descriptions can be lost in translation i.e. the pressure will be higher than 3.5 at 5000 rpm, again depending on internal/external temps. I didn't question the oil level, but I have to bring the car in for some roll bar adjustments soon so will ask then.