Oil level question

[Kev0607]

Hi,

Just a quick question about oil level.

I’ve just checked mine* on my driveway (stone cold engine), but its on a slight incline, so probably not a true reading.

I know D5’s are particular about the amount of oil that goes in them. Is it simply a case of adding oil to a cold engine so it shows 3/4 on the dipstick on a level surface (as per the sticker on the slam panel). Or do I have to hook my laptop up, get the car to 60 degrees minimum & keep adding oil steadily until it reaches the desired 70% oil capacity (as per VIDA)?

*S80 2.4D (2007).

[reggit]

Just pour it in mine until it’s about 3/4 full, slightly warm engine as I usually warm it a little before draining the old stuff (old habit).

[Kev0607]

I’m not draining the oil, I’m adding some (it looks a bit lower than it should be). So can I add oil to a cold engine?

So just top up to 3/4 on the dipstick & no need for VIDA to check the oil quantity is at the desired 70% whilst the engine oil temperature is at a minimum of 60 degrees?

[reggit]

You can reset the electronic dipstick through vida (if yours has one), I haven’t the electronic one shows full when the dipstick shows 3/4. I’m just old school and if it’s right on the dipstick, it’s right.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by reggit

You can reset the electronic dipstick through vida (if yours has one), I haven’t the electronic one shows full when the dipstick shows 3/4. I’m just old school and if it’s right on the dipstick, it’s right.

I haven't got an electronic dipstick either, but there's a physical one in the engine bay.

I know there's a function in VIDA that allows you to check the oil quantity. VIDA states that the engine oil should be no colder than 60 degrees when doing this & the recommended quantity is 70%.

It seems a bit of a faff having to hook up diagnostics to check the actual oil level when the engine reaches a certain temperature. So fill to 3/4 on the dipstick & it should be fine? No need for diagnostics?

I just don't want to add too much & then have to end up taking some out again! I know these cars are very particular with oil levels. I'd say its approximately 200ml low looking at the dipstick, but the car isn't parked on a level surface & I may be getting a false reading. I'll have to park it on a flatter surface & let the oil settle, then check the dipstick.

[Model flyer]

3/4 on dipstick? Thought it was half way up the dipstick marks . Alway run my v70 D5 at half way on dipstick, never had an issue

[Tatsfield]

The new 100% is 75%

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Tatsfield

The new 100% is 75%

In what respect? You mean in general, as in the oil is "full" when its 3/4 up the dipstick (75%) or should the oil be filled to 75% via VIDA, instead of 70% when the oil is at least 60 degrees (70% full at 60 degrees minimum is specified in the VIDA instructions?).

Originally Posted by Model flyer

3/4 on dipstick? Thought it was half way up the dipstick marks . Alway run my v70 D5 at half way on dipstick, never had an issue

3/4... There should be a sticker in the engine bay near the headlights that says that 3/4 is the "recommended fill level". Keeping it at the half way mark isn't really an issue, but its a tad lower than it should be all the same.

[ferg55]

I think the engine bay sticker is simply saying the max fill recommended is 3/4 up the XXXX marks on the dipstick. It doesn't mean you need to keep it at that level all the time, so if you let it drop to half way that will be fine. The minimum level before risking engine damage is at the bottom of the XXXX marks. I assume the marks represent the range between min safe level & max safe level, not necessarily the actual oil level in the sump.