99 Box Oil Level Digital Display
 

I had a scare the other day and wanted to see if others ever had the same issue. I have a 99 Box with 33.5K miles. I have owned it for about 6 months and put 1500 miles on it. Since I bought it, the digital oil level has been at the next to top led bar. I checked the level with the dip stick and all looked good, but since the oil is relatively new, it is sometimes hard to see on the stick.

When I filled up the gas the other day and started it, the display dropped to the next to lowest level. I took it home and let it sit for a few days and then put in the key without starting it up to check the level. It was now back to where it was before (near the top).

Anyone else ever experience this phenomenon?

Yup...our 2004 Special Edition did the same thing and gave me an unpleasant moment as well. Since then, I've noticed that the oil level tends to be reported lower when re-starting a warm engine; not being a mechanic, I'm guessing that this has something to do with (a) where the sensor is, and (b) the flow of oil throughout the engine / filter. Anyone with a better (or correct) answer, please jump in!

As you know, the 987 does not have a dip-stick. I check the oil level everytime before I drive it, on the initial start-up, it takes about 6 seconds, with the digital read-out.

Hi,

You're obsessing! First, you do NOT want it at the Top Bar - that is OVERFILLED! The Proper Fill Level is the 2nd to Top Bar.

Secondly, the difference from 1 Bar to another is about 8 oz. or 1 Cup of Oil. In a 9+ Qt. capacity system, 1 or 2 Cups doesn't mean squat!

Finally, it's better to be 1 Cup low than it is to be 1 Cup high. Too many people don't understand this and so many Boxsters I fear are running high by being filled to the Top Bar. These people are actually causing greater wear to their cars as they are probably Foaming the Oil.

Anything between the 2nd to Top and Bottom Bars is the OK Range, and that's just as it says - OK! I never top it up unless I'm several bars low. The guage isn't the most accurate as you need so many proper conditions (Temp, Level Ground, etc.) to get an accurate reading. You're fortunate enough to have a Dipstick - use it, it is most accurate. I consider the Digi-Gauge a convenience only...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

+1

That said, when my dip stick indicates "full" the gauge lights all the segments (overfilled).