Oil Dipstick question

[2013cossj]

I am not sure how/when to read the oil level on the dip stick. Is it to be read when cold (sitting level) or once the engine comes up to temp (i.e. a short drive etc.)?
I cannot trust the oil level gauge in my 04 Boxster S (due to various electronic gremlins). I have had the car a very short time
Any guidance or instructions would greatly be appreciated.

[Black Knight]

There is a great technical bulletin that LN Engineering published, and it is free if you sign in with them. Basically, there was a revision from the factory both on the recommended oil fill amount - they adjusted down .5 liter and also the dipsticks themselves were updated. Depending on your version you fill to the top (new version) or about half way on the older version. It is worth the 2 minutes to sign up and download, they also have some other great technical articles such as their maintenance guide and how to do a ppi etc. search 'downloads' on their site and it will come up, then sign up and you can get an email sent right away

[blue62]

Originally Posted by 2013cossj

I am not sure how/when to read the oil level on the dip stick. Is it to be read when cold (sitting level) or once the engine comes up to temp (i.e. a short drive etc.)?
I cannot trust the oil level gauge in my 04 Boxster S (due to various electronic gremlins). I have had the car a very short time
Any guidance or instructions would greatly be appreciated.

sitting level.
cold is best.
If you have driven it let it set for 10-20 minutes then check it.
Takes a while for the oil to drain down to the sump.
Just like any car.

[10/10ths]

….is right.


Read that LN info.

Also, the most accurate oil level reading will be after the car has been sitting for three days after running.

[Bush Pilot]

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

….is right.


Read that LN info.

Also, the most accurate oil level reading will be after the car has been sitting for three days after running.

3 DAYS? Why not 4 or 5?

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by Bush Pilot

3 DAYS? Why not 4 or 5?

Because by the end of day 3 all the oil has fallen into the oil pan, with the exception of several tablespoons siting in crevices in the engine. Why you would want to wait another day or two confuses me. Just wait until the 72 hour mark and check your oil. Anything more than a three day wait is a waste of time.

[Bush Pilot]

I was being sarcastic. What evidence do you have that 72 hours is the magic number? That seems ridiculous to me. I would think 5 minutes after shutting down would be sufficient.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by blue62

sitting level.
cold is best.
If you have driven it let it set for 10-20 minutes then check it.
Takes a while for the oil to drain down to the sump.
Just like any car.

Blue, I miss the oil reading system on my 987CS, you could check the oil level every time before starting the engine (cold) or after 10-20 minutes as you stated.

The system on the 981 sucks.. (literally), as you need to have the engine at full operating temperature, then shut it off for at least one minute, Oh, and don't you dare to open the trunk lid or the door as you are screwed and have to start the procedure all over again.. it's really frustrating

[blue62]

Originally Posted by Gilles

Blue, I miss the oil reading system on my 987CS, you could check the oil level every time before starting the engine (cold) or after 10-20 minutes as you stated.

The system on the 981 sucks.. (literally), as you need to have the engine at full operating temperature, then shut it off for at least one minute, Oh, and don't you dare to open the trunk lid or the door as you are screwed and have to start the procedure all over again.. it's really frustrating

Umm no dipstick????
Just a gauge??

[Starter986]

Originally Posted by Bush Pilot

I was being sarcastic. What evidence do you have that 72 hours is the magic number? That seems ridiculous to me. I would think 5 minutes after shutting down would be sufficient.

You've got some good stuff on here. I figured you'd be ripe for a poke. Glad you have a sense of humor.

72 hours, lol!

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by blue62

Umm no dipstick????
Just a gauge??

That is correct, just the gauge but on the 987's is much user friendly, for the next gen 981 and up you need to have the oil warmed up to operating temp to be able to read the level.. On my kids 2019 Jetta and 2018 A6 is the same system.. sometimes technology sucks

[Bush Pilot]

Originally Posted by Gilles

That is correct, just the gauge but on the 987's is much user friendly, for the next gen 981 and up you need to have the oil warmed up to operating temp to be able to read the level.. On my kids 2019 Jetta and 2018 A6 is the same system.. sometimes technology sucks

I hear you. That said, by removing the dipstick, the manufacturer gains more control over how the oil level is read and removes the potential for a dipstick brain to read it incorrectly and either over fill or under fill the oil. They probably got tired of replacing engines.

[Zerocool74]

My cruise doesn’t work but at times engine locks at various speeds and I can’t accelerate, only when accelerator pedal is lifted does the engine return to normal and I can accelerate, this happens several times during a 30 minute drive. Help, this is scary..