Thread: Oil level - forced reading

The bonnet also has to be open for that to work.

Same for me..could not get it to force read on the V6 petrol engine 2014 D4...bonnet open etc.

Also if the car is slightly out of level it gives a false reading. We used a hoist to lift the front then the back and even with a slight lift of say 3" from level on the front the reading went from ok to add .5l.

Stupid system indeed.

Originally Posted by INter674

Same for me..could not get it to force read on the V6 petrol engine 2014 D4...bonnet open etc.

Also if the car is slightly out of level it gives a false reading. We used a hoist to lift the front then the back and even with a slight lift of say 3" from level on the front the reading went from ok to add .5l.

Stupid system indeed.

So does a dipstick, all engines state they must be level.
Mine used to work on the screen, But from memory didn't last oil service about a week ago. I just thought it was me and moved on. I just went out shed and tried again. Won't work. I have recently used the gap tool and upgraded the instrument cluster. I guess that's the issue.

I guess the issue is if people use the function and don't wait the time they are told. They will overfill the engine and it'll "diesel" and go bang.

Originally Posted by josh.huber

So does a dipstick, all engines state they must be level.
Mine used to work on the screen, But from memory didn't last oil service about a week ago. I just thought it was me and moved on. I just went out shed and tried again. Won't work. I have recently used the gap tool and upgraded the instrument cluster. I guess that's the issue.

I guess the issue is if people use the function and don't wait the time they are told. They will overfill the engine and it'll "diesel" and go bang.

Yes perhaps I am old school but i am smart enoug to read a dip stick which is usually placed in the sump of the sump if you know what I mean and is not so affected by levelling and which usually has range on it. The Ford system is too sensitive in my view...but I have learnd now to be less alarmed by the add .5l message cause next time I check it says OK😎

Give me a dip stick any day ..

Hmm. I’ve used many a rubbish dipstick too that doesn’t show levels well and the first pull up to wipe clean coats the tube so that the subsequent pull is contaminated and unclear. The MK5 golf of my mum’s is awful for that. I like the electronic protection of the sensor but agree, if also like a dipstick for manual verification if needed. I’ve lost a dry sump engine to an oil leak once. If it had electronic level sensing I’d have saved it, so I see the need for both.

Sorry Inter was a quick reply, didn't read before i posted can see how it reads now,

What i should have said was it depends on where the sensor or the dipstick is that makes all the difference, if the stick is say at the timing case and you raise the rear a little it makes a huge difference on the stick, Yes i am with you, a stick would be nice and simple and the addition of the electronic system as jeffster says can be a nice safe guard .
Franna cranes for example have both and the operators pretty much only use the screen each day.

These things if overfilled like all modern engines fill the inlets and run to explosion, there was a famous case i read about on here. The system needs time to drain and if people dont wait they may overfill the engine, But those same people should not be servicing an engine if they can understand the heads need time to drain.

I changed the oil/filter on mine t'other day and wasn't paying attention (counting) the number litres I refilled. After starting it the penny dropped and I realised it was overfull by 2 litres. Checked the oil level but sensor wouldn't display. Drained the 2 litres and re-checked and sensor still wouldn't display. Next day all was ok and it worked fine. Prior to that have not had any problems as its always worked when asked.

Originally Posted by Discodicky

I changed the oil/filter on mine t'other day and wasn't paying attention (counting) the number litres I refilled. After starting it the penny dropped and I realised it was overfull by 2 litres. Checked the oil level but sensor wouldn't display. Drained the 2 litres and re-checked and sensor still wouldn't display. Next day all was ok and it worked fine. Prior to that have not had any problems as its always worked when asked.

You got really lucky