Checking oil level on 3.0 D4

[d3syd]

As far a I know, the 3.0 SDV6 engine has no dipstick but a electronic readout on the dash (why they decided to complicate something as basic as checking your oil, I just don't know :mad:).

Anyway I can't seem to get my readout to work. Just says "reading not available" or something along those lines. Any ideas :confused::confused:

[eddomak]

As far a I know, the 3.0 SDV6 engine has no dipstick but a electronic readout on the dash (why they decided to complicate something as basic as checking your oil, I just don't know :mad:).

Anyway I can't seem to get my readout to work. Just says "reading not available" or something along those lines. Any ideas :confused::confused:
Hi,

You'll need to:
1) Run the engine
2) Switch off
3) Wait 10 minutes (or thereabouts)
4) Switch on car (do not start engine)
5) Access the service menu

There's more detailed discussion on it in some other threads here (do a search) or if I have something wrong, check out your manual for the exact instructions.

Cheers,
Edwin.

[Disco4SE]

As far a I know, the 3.0 SDV6 engine has no dipstick but a electronic readout on the dash (why they decided to complicate something as basic as checking your oil, I just don't know :mad:).

Anyway I can't seem to get my readout to work. Just says "reading not available" or something along those lines. Any ideas :confused::confused:
Hi d3syd,
I have the D4 3.0 as well.
This is how I check mine.
1. Push the start button without your foot on the brake.
2. Wait for about 4 seconds until the Press OK appears on the dash.
3. Press the OK button on your steering wheel.
4. Use down arrow to scroll down to 'Service Menu'
5. Use right arrow - 'Vin Display' & 'Oil Level' should appear.
6. Sroll down to 'Oil Level' and click OK.

I would be interested to know where your oil level is sitting.

Cheers, Craig

[Disco4SE]

Forgot to mention to wait at least 10 minutes after the car has been running.
Cheers, Craig

[d3syd]

Thanks for the replies guys. I thought that maybe I needed to warm up the engine before it would give a reading. So after driving around for a while, I gave it a go, but still no luck:(

Only thing I haven't tried is wait 10 minutes after running as suggested by eddomak. I have a electronic dip stick on my BMW as well and you can get a reading anytime whether the engine is running or not. Still prefer the old fashion method of checking your oil - if it ain't broke, don't fix it:thumbsdown:

[d3syd]

It's working now:) Dunno why, but it is....

Showing full oil level.

[Dahai]

Why make a simple thing so complicated. Remember the acronym "KISS"?
Still I suppose it saves you getting your hands dirty.

[Ferret]

Might save your hands getting dirty but I'd still rather have a dip stick. I would like to know what the rational is for replacing such a simple thing as dipstick for something like an electronic sensor and display.

The other thing which frustrates me about the D4 is that there is now no true 'Accessory' position on the 'Start' button. You can get 'Ignition' like you do when you check the oil level but it turns off after a minute so you can't run things plugged into the Aux sockets unless the engine is running. Brilliant.

[rick130]

Might save your hands getting dirty but I'd still rather have a dip stick. I would like to know what the rational is for replacing such a simple thing as dipstick for something like an electronic sensor and display.

[snip]


Probably as most people, including mechanics aren't very clean.
Checking the oil is an easy way to introduce contamination, especially if the stick isn't pushed home fully.

[Disco4SE]

The other thing which frustrates me about the D4 is that there is now no true 'Accessory' position on the 'Start' button. You can get 'Ignition' like you do when you check the oil level but it turns off after a minute so you can't run things plugged into the Aux sockets unless the engine is running. Brilliant.
Ferret,
I had the front drivers side consol socket and the one behind the centre console in the rear, wired direct to the second battery. That way, no ignition required and no flat battery.
Cheers, Craig

[Celtoid]

It's working now:) Dunno why, but it is....

Showing full oil level.

I'd say cause some time has passed.....

I was told 20 minutes after running but I guess it's in the 10 - 20 minute ballpark. I assume it is to prevent a false reading...so the system lets the warm oil settle before it will display the result.....since you can't wipe the non-existant dip-stick and get a fresh level reading.

Beware of scaring yourself as a few on this site have (including me) by reading when the oil is cold......you'll get an overfill warning!

Cheers,

Kev.

[101RRS]

On my old 77 Lancia it had a dipstick but also a gauge that showed oil level - as long as the engine was off - just push a button and read off the gauge.

L/r outsmarting itself again

[Graeme]

Beware of scaring yourself as a few on this site have (including me) by reading when the oil is cold......you'll get an overfill warning!
Well, that's put paid to my idea of trying to remember to check the oil level before starting! I'll just have to continue with almost never remembering at an appropriate time to check. I think of it whenever it blows blue smoke on startup though. I regularly checked my old TD5 D2's oil level but probably only checked the D4 about 3 times in 50K.

[d3syd]

I'd say cause some time has passed.....

I was told 20 minutes after running but I guess it's in the 10 - 20 minute ballpark. I assume it is to prevent a false reading...so the system lets the warm oil settle before it will display the result.....since you can't wipe the non-existant dip-stick and get a fresh level reading.

Beware of scaring yourself as a few on this site have (including me) by reading when the oil is cold......you'll get an overfill warning!

Cheers,

Kev.

Weird thing is after driving 150kms the other day, it still said "reading not available", but today after 30kms it worked for the first time (albeit after the car was parked for about 20 mins). So maybe that is the key, you need to let the car rest for 10 -20 mins AFTER running...:cool:

[Celtoid]

Weird thing is after driving 150kms the other day, it still said "reading not available", but today after 30kms it worked for the first time (albeit after the car was parked for about 20 mins). So maybe that is the key, you need to let the car rest for 10 -20 mins AFTER running...:cool:

I'm guessing you're on the money!

Cheers,

Kev.

[Celtoid]

Well, that's put paid to my idea of trying to remember to check the oil level before starting! I'll just have to continue with almost never remembering at an appropriate time to check. I think of it whenever it blows blue smoke on startup though. I regularly checked my old TD5 D2's oil level but probably only checked the D4 about 3 times in 50K.

I probably should have said...."could get an overfill warning"....I guess it depends on how full the engine is. If it was a fraction low, you may not get the warning.....I freaked when the warning popped up on mine...then I did some research.

Yeah, I'm the same....rarely remember to check the oil, when it can be done but when I have (after settling) it's always been good....no useage at all. I also never get rough running or any smoke that is noticeable. I also have no evidence of leaks.

All of the above are apparently tell tale signs that you have a turbo problem.....so I was gob-smacked the other day when told after a service that I need a turbo replaced....:mad:

Apparently a tiny leak onto suspension parts....which caused a squeak....which caused them (LR) to look.....

Pain in the butt but I'm glad they found it. I have been re-assured that the replacemnt turbos are modified....and that they have had no issues....hope so!!!

Kev.

[JohnS]

I have an Oct 2013 build TD 3.0 and in the owners manual it states these have a dipstick for checking the oil level. After spending a disconcerting amount of time trying to find the dipstick I discovered it has the electronic sensor for oil like the SDs. I must say I'm not used to seeing such inconsistencies in an owners manual (and you can immediately tell I am a bit of a pedant because I read them....)

Also, confirming the comments above, the 10 minute wait after turning off the engine is crucial to get a reading.

[wbowner]

Weird thing is after driving 150kms the other day, it still said "reading not available", but today after 30kms it worked for the first time (albeit after the car was parked for about 20 mins). So maybe that is the key, you need to let the car rest for 10 -20 mins AFTER running...:cool:

The handbook states 10 min after driving but I have found it to be a bit longer
The manual also says how much oil for each notch

Trouble is you forget and only remember just after restarting then you gave to wait again

My reading is about a notch over half way after car was sitting for a couple of days

I will be due fir the first service soon


Richard