Oil change question

[Geof3]

If my in car “gauge” reads one bar “low” I will check the dipstick. I check the DS regularly anyway. It is pretty common “knowledge” that the dipstick on these engines should always be at the top mark, thus showing full on the interior gauge. This helps with the potential issue of oil starvation and helps keep what little oil might get to the IMS a little more chance. It’s not a big deal to keep it topped up.

And yes, 100% sure the dipstick is always the final rule. Hot or cold. To me the interior gauge is a suggestion.

[RobertKing]

Originally Posted by Geof3

If my in car “gauge” reads one bar “low” I will check the dipstick. I check the DS regularly anyway. It is pretty common “knowledge” that the dipstick on these engines should always be at the top mark, thus showing full on the interior gauge. This helps with the potential issue of oil starvation and helps keep what little oil might get to the IMS a little more chance. It’s not a big deal to keep it topped up.

And yes, 100% sure the dipstick is always the final rule. Hot or cold. To me the interior gauge is a suggestion.

This is a false belief. IMS will fail when it fails. Has nothing at all to do with oil pressure o r levels. Bearings fail because they either wear the races they ride in or break apart due to friction. No amount of oil will prevent either.

[DWBOX2000]

Ok, I will go by the dip stick. I've never had a problem checking oil on a car before. Seems like with the Boxster, as soon as I pull the 20 feet of oil stick out, I feel like the oil on the stick has been compromised to its validity.
So when people look at their internal level, where does it usually fall? I always did the middle.

[kk2002s]

Use the Dip stick
Gauge can show different reading just turning the key on (not start), off and then back on (Not Start)
Hardest part of dip stick is seeing new oil on the measuring end
I like to see my dipstick level just a shade under the max marker
Gauge 1 bar under max level line

[911monty]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

Ok, I will go by the dip stick. I've never had a problem checking oil on a car before. Seems like with the Boxster, as soon as I pull the 20 feet of oil stick out, I feel like the oil on the stick has been compromised to its validity.
So when people look at their internal level, where does it usually fall? I always did the middle.

If your car sits level, then check your oil level first thing before your first start. This will be your most accurate level and should be easiest to read. The electronic level then becomes a reference during additional starts. I also like to see one bar down.

I keep a clean white paper towel in the expansion tank cap area for checking level. Once I pull the dipstick, I lay the end on the towel this makes even "new" oil easy to read and you can see the condition of "old" oil.

The paper towel also serves as a highly visible indicator to coolant leak. Not wet or pink then rock and roll.