Check oil level! Warning Light

gaza1994

Active Member
Jan 11, 2020
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garethjohnstone.co.uk
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Just had this popup on the dash...

I checked the level after leaving the engine for 5 minutes and this is what i got

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I let the engine cool for a couple hours and i seem to have more??

voEU4qj.png


What should be the correct action to take here - im hopeless when it comes to this kinda stuff

(also worth noting, the warning has NOT popped back up since I checked the first time.
 

Yern

Active Member
Apr 25, 2019
625
311
I had the warning come on (never before) during a sharp left hand turn from roundabout at about 25mph. Level was between Min and Max but obviously not enough in the sump for the sharp corner. I think its triggered by a level sensor...not the fact the circuits are suddenly starved of oil o_O .
 

gaza1994

Active Member
Jan 11, 2020
48
15
30
Scottish Borders
garethjohnstone.co.uk
I had the warning come on (never before) during a sharp left hand turn from roundabout at about 25mph. Level was between Min and Max but obviously not enough in the sump for the sharp corner. I think its triggered by a level sensor...not the fact the circuits are suddenly starved of oil o_O .
So do you think i have sufficient oil and shouldn't worry? - wasn't going round a bend, was going up a slight incline at the time.
 

BoomerBoom

Active Member
Jun 1, 2018
690
249
If you've checked the oil level and the warning stays off then no worries. I've only had that warning once, when the oil level was very low anyway and driving for hours on the motorway.

If, however, it comes back again then you should get the oil pressure checked - particularly if the red oil pressure warning ever flashes while you are driving.
 

Damo H

Remind me, what's an indicator?
Staff member
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Oct 3, 2012
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Apologies if you know this (as you never know), but when checking the oil level, you're wiping the dipstick clean after its first removed. then putting it all the way back in before taking it out to check the level that way. It'll give a better idea of the level in the sump.

As other have said it maybe of been triggered due to some harsh braking etc. I'd personally top it back up and then check it after every run once its had chance to cool.
 

Shaady

Active Member
Jan 25, 2017
167
25
What engine is it? There are different recommendations as to when you should check the oil dependant (I think) on the engine.

For my 184 its after the engine is up to running temperature, so I usually check it once I'm home after my commute, and recommends that it should be left for a couple of minutes after switch off to allow the oil to return to the sump (this might explain why there is more on the dipstick after a couple of hours too)
 

BillyCool

Active Member
Jan 16, 2020
645
244
Leicestershire, UK
If you check your oil soon after switching off, your oil level will read a bit lower. Check it when the car is cold and all the oil that was effectively in the system has drained into the sump and that is why you get a higher reading later on.

My 184 low oil tends to come on around halfway on the dipstick and I just top it up a little (I keep a little bottle in the boot).

Think you need to check the car cold and make sure as suggested above that you pull it out, wipe it clean and then check it. Hard to tell from your photo if you've just pulled it out or cleaned and re-dipped.
 
Last edited:

gaza1994

Active Member
Jan 11, 2020
48
15
30
Scottish Borders
garethjohnstone.co.uk
Hi Guys,
When checking its pull out (giggidy) wipe clean and pop it back in and then check :)

I checked yesterday morning after the car had sat overnight, there was a smidgen of oil on the bottom of the dipstick.

The user manual does however state to check it when the engine is warm ... when i do that, its about half.
 

BillyCool

Active Member
Jan 16, 2020
645
244
Leicestershire, UK
Hi Guys,
When checking its pull out (giggidy) wipe clean and pop it back in and then check :)

I checked yesterday morning after the car had sat overnight, there was a smidgen of oil on the bottom of the dipstick.

The user manual does however state to check it when the engine is warm ... when i do that, its about half.

I'd just top it up a little and see how you get on.
 

andycupra

status subject to change
i'd trust the level when you have left the car 2 hours +.
if its low when you have left it overnight (on level ground) then respond to that. don't respond to the level you are getting soon after switching off when the oil has been pumping around all over the place and potentially giving you inaccurate readings.
 

Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
2,614
906
I always keep the oil at the top mark on the dipstick. It gives you buffer, lets you lose as much as a litre of oil without it being a problem. It has saved me. Lost oil on a car years ago but no harm done. If the oil level had been lower it might not have been a happy outcome.
 
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