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Old 03-30-2011, 10:54 AM   #1
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Question on checking oil and adding in 05 S

Don't have the manual on me right now but have a question. When I go to start my 05 S I turn the key a bit and wait for it to cycle and check the oil level. It checks and shows lower than normal range. Do the lines represent a quart, 1/2 a quart, etc? I am guessing I need to add it to it because I let it cycle when warmed up and cold and it still shows being low.

Thanks.

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Old 03-31-2011, 05:42 AM   #2
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Each line represents far less than 1 quart or even 1/2 quart. I never have to add oil to my 987S between changes, but IIRC from the Owner's Manual, each bar is about 200-300ml.

And, you are doing the right and correct procedure to check the oil prior to each cold start. Good job! Takes less than 30 seconds. Very accurate.

Fill the oil to one bar BELOW the top range. Add about 200-300ml's prior to each cold start the next few days, until you get up to that mark. Take your time, be patient. Easy.
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Old 04-04-2011, 08:56 AM   #3
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I've added a quart over the past day and it still shows low on the indicator. Oil was just changed before I bought the car from a non Porsche dealer.

Do I really keep adding oil? I will check level again this evening when the car is totally cold.
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Old 04-04-2011, 09:06 AM   #4
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make sure you're checking on a level surface. if you're on a hill or tilted sideways you'll get an erroneous reading
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Old 04-04-2011, 01:01 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaNile31
I've added a quart over the past day and it still shows low on the indicator. Oil was just changed before I bought the car from a non Porsche dealer.

Do I really keep adding oil? I will check level again this evening when the car is totally cold.
Has it ever read full during your ownership? During the addition of the quart you added, did any of the bars move up? Can you post a picture of your gauge? Are you adding the oil to the correct opening in the frunk? Black cap with the pop-up funnel.

Don't add any more oil until this is figured out. You may be over-filled now with an inaccurate gauge.

Last edited by Flavor 987S; 04-04-2011 at 01:20 PM.
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Old 04-04-2011, 02:29 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flavor 987S
Are you adding the oil to the correct opening in the frunk? Black cap with the pop-up funnel.

Don't think the orafice is in the frunk.
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Old 04-04-2011, 03:22 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by husker boxster
Don't think the orafice is in the frunk.
oil + brake fluid = no good!

remember, always oil in the rear...
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Old 04-04-2011, 03:35 PM   #8
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Just a typo. In the rear trunk. Not the front.
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Old 04-04-2011, 05:56 PM   #9
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Bars did move up after adding the full quart and rechecking while the car was cold. No more flashing indicator, just a solid bar below the normal limits. All seems well and I think another 1/2 quart will do it. I've had the car since January but just recently have had it out and about. Put about 300 miles on it so far (20,450 total mileage).

More rain and crummy weather so the car will be staying in the garage for a few more days again.
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Old 04-04-2011, 06:19 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by SeaNile31
just a solid bar below the normal limits.
What does this mean?

Don't add a 1/2 quart. Add a 1/4 quart (after each drive, check when cold) at a time until the gauge shows one bar below max.

Strange that your car was this low on oil (+1.5 quarts). You need to start to monitor miles and oil consumption.
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Old 04-20-2011, 01:06 PM   #11
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Just back from vacation. Car took 2 full quarts to get it to the upper portion of the normal range according to the gauge. Only have about 450 miles on it since I bought it and will monitor oil level very closely. Wonder if the selling dealer (VW/chevy place) didn't check the level when they changed the oil.

Checked it while cold and on level surface. No signs of oil leak, no smoke, etc. I think it was just low...

If this weather would cooperate I could drive it more!
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Old 04-20-2011, 03:05 PM   #12
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You should be able to find out for sure if you call the dealer's service department and ask them to check the records. Ask how much oil they put in it when they serviced it. Also ask what kind and weight they used. If they didn't know it takes 9 quarts, that could be it.
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Old 04-20-2011, 03:40 PM   #13
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My guess is they put in the regular 5 litres and not the amount these beasts take.
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Old 04-20-2011, 04:10 PM   #14
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My guess is they put in the regular 5 litres and not the amount these beasts take.
That's my guess too. People never believed me when I told them the diesel engines in my boat took 15 quarts each. Always best to check the manual.

Can't wait for the weather to change and use this as my daily driver!

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