Checking oil level

[mojo]

Should a 2013 TDV6 have a dipstick? Mine doesn't, but it does have the on screen gauge that you access through the service menu.

The manual says it should have one, and that only the SE and HSE use the on screen gauge.

I would much rather have a dip stick, if for no other reason than on at least 2 occasions when I've tried to look at the on screen gauge it's told me "not accessible" or something similar.

Cheers
Sean

[pprass]

I get the same "Not available" message on my MY15 Discovery. I took it to a dealer that we were passing and they said that they are "temperamental " and that I should wait until the oil cools down before looking at the gauge. When I told them that I tried looking at it first thing in the morning before I even started the engine, I was told - oh no, you have to get it to a certain temp
At the dealer while all of that discussion was going on (about 7 minutes) he then accessed the gauge - and guess what - it worked!
So it seems that you have to wait about 10 minutes after switching the engine off to get a reading and not in the morning when it is really cold.

[WhiteD3]

Got to wait 10 minutes. So stop for fuel, do your thing then check it before you drive away. This would be what's called "progress".

[dazray]

I always check my MY11 SE in the
morning before I start the car without
any issues. If you want to check it when you stop the car, you have to wait 10 minutes.
Interestingly the manual says.
Prior to checking the oil level ensure that:
- The vehicle is on level ground.
- The engine oil has reached working temperature (oil is hot).
- The engine has been switched off for 10 minutes, as the system will not give an accurate reading until the oil level has stabilised.

For the 2.7 diesel with the dip stick it says.
Check the oil level when the engine is cold.
If it is necessary to check the oil level when the engine is hot, wait for 5 minutes to allow the oil to drain back into the sump.

Daz.

[letherm]

Got to wait 10 minutes. So stop for fuel, do your thing then check it before you drive away. This would be what's called "progress".

Exactly right.

You have to wait 10 minutes after the engine stops for the oil check to be available. Alternative is to do the check before you start the engine (providing of course it has been more than 10 minutes since you turned the engine off )

It never ceases to amaze me that some dealer staff don't know the simple things about the cars they sell. BTW it should be in your manual. If all else fails etc.

Martin

[Graeme]

As per the WSM, press the cruise control cancel button twice within 2 seconds if the display shows the level is N/A then go through the menus to have another look. Same process applies when topping-up to get an updated display.

[mojo]

Thanks for the replies guys. Seems a bit odd to have something as important as oil level checking left to a system that's "tempermental". Although I guess if you follow their recommended steps it might work every time.

I'm still not sure if I should have a dip stick or not. The manual definitely says a TDV6 should have a dip stick. Perhaps this changed when they moved from the 2.7l TDV6 to the 3l TDV6, and they didn't update the manual?

Cheers
Sean

[Tombie]

Thanks for the replies guys. Seems a bit odd to have something as important as oil level checking left to a system that's "tempermental". Although I guess if you follow their recommended steps it might work every time.

I'm still not sure if I should have a dip stick or not. The manual definitely says a TDV6 should have a dip stick. Perhaps this changed when they moved from the 2.7l TDV6 to the 3l TDV6, and they didn't update the manual?

Cheers
Sean

Correct - all 3.0L engines use the in dash read out...

And yes, I would consider it progress... As unlike a "stick" the sensor can warn you when the oil drops below a preset level - on a long drive a dipstick wont tell you anything until your oil light comes on!

[scarry]

Correct - all 3.0L engines use the in dash read out...

And yes, I would consider it progress... As unlike a "stick" the sensor can warn you when the oil drops below a preset level - on a long drive a dipstick wont tell you anything until your oil light comes on!

But does it actually do that?

There are many vehicles around that have a dip stick and a low oil level light as well.Mitsubishi come to mind,then again they also have a reputation for using oil.

[Melbourne Park]

... unlike a "stick" the sensor can warn you when the oil drops below a preset level - on a long drive a dipstick wont tell you anything until your oil light comes on!

But ... if the vehicle will warn you of low oil on a long drive, why can't the software access you in real time? Or when stationary before the 10 minute interval?

Does the vehicle do a self check 10 minutes after being switched off? If not, then there "must be" (IMO) a live level system operating.