D3 Dipstick location

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by Daleman

wimorrison Do you ever check your oil level using this awkwardly located dip stick or do you rely on the electronic level indicator?


What do others do?

Have to admit that I tried to get it out once to look at it and gave up - no space to get into it

I have checked the oil using the electronica gauge 2 or 3 times and it haqs never varied from the delivery level - maybe I am the lucky one, but I havenot had this excess oil issue, but that may be down to the car doing longer journeys rather than 'school runs'

[dodgyblue]

Originally Posted by Clan

why wouldnt you trust it ? Have you tested it by comparing the readout with the actual level ? easy enough . Remember it can take 20 miles to stabalise after an oil change . It is not just a float it sends ultrasonic waves from the bottom to the top of the oil and works out how long the signal takes to be bounced back and averages it out .. quite sophisticated ..

More sophisticated does not make it better. Volvo has already changed the oil level sensor on my D5. So these days I prefer to check the dipstick. Computers can be programmed to lie whereas a dumb dipstick will always show the truth when the engine is cold

[r-designbob]

So how do you manage to get the dipstick out dodgyblue?
According to some posts, it's very difficult.

[Vecais]

Yes, it is difficult to reach the dipstick but it is possible. I too trust my eyes looking at the oil level on the dipstick rather than relying entirely on the electronic readout.

I had one instance when the electronic display was showing that the oil was over-full and engine service was needed. Need to panic? I checked the dipstick and the oil was 1mm over the high mark.

Having said that, I am now happy to check the electronic display from time to time and feel reassured when it shows normal full level.

[dodgyblue]

Originally Posted by r-designbob

So how do you manage to get the dipstick out dodgyblue?
According to some posts, it's very difficult.

Well I tend to lose a bit of skin each time I read the dipstick. I normally access it from near the air filter. I need to stick my arm in up to past my elbow. You can only do it when the engine is cold.. too many hot pipes if its been running.
It takes a bit of a pull but you'll get the hang of it.

[mauricef]

Originally Posted by Daleman

wimorrison Do you ever check your oil level using this awkwardly located dip stick or do you rely on the electronic level indicator?


What do others do?

2011 XC60 D3 FWD As far as I know there is no dipstick on this model.I found out only today through the forum how to read the oil level by electronic means.
mauricef

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by Daleman

wimorrison Do you ever check your oil level using this awkwardly located dip stick or do you rely on the electronic level indicator?


What do others do?

sorry missed this one - never used anything other than the electronic dipstick for 2 reasons

1. Can't get my hand and arm down the from of the engine to the dipstick
2. Can't be bothered to get under the car to try from underneath and see if it can be removed

Both poor reasons I know but as the electronic dipstick hasn't changed in 11000 miles I figure I don't need to bother using the old tried and trusted method

[rkennedy]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

sorry missed this one - never used anything other than the electronic dipstick for 2 reasons

1. Can't get my hand and arm down the from of the engine to the dipstick
2. Can't be bothered to get under the car to try from underneath and see if it can be removed

Both poor reasons I know but as the electronic dipstick hasn't changed in 11000 miles I figure I don't need to bother using the old tried and trusted method

I have never had any problem in checking the oil level by the dipstick. I also co-relate every so often with the electronic dipstick reading and up to now (5500 miles to date) have had no issues with the oil level (MY10 2.4 DrivE)

[wimorrison]

Originally Posted by rkennedy

I have never had any problem in checking the oil level by the dipstick. I also co-relate every so often with the electronic dipstick reading and up to now (5500 miles to date) have had no issues with the oil level (MY10 2.4 DrivE)

Clearly it is easier to access on a DrivE than on a D5 then - or your arms are longer and bend in more places than mine

[rkennedy]

Originally Posted by wimorrison

Clearly it is easier to access on a DrivE than on a D5 then - or your arms are longer and bend in more places than mine

At 5ft4in, I doubt if it is my height but then again being vertically challenged does have its benefits, one being a shorter distance between the bendy bits in the arms