motor oil level

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

You want to fill to the next to Top line.

Filling to the Top Line is an OVERFILL, and the only quantification is that it's 8 oz. over while in fact it could be much more overfull than that. The problem with this is that the Oil can Foam and experience compromised Flow and Heat carrying ability.

The entire Oil system requires 9.5 Qts. with a new Filter. The volume between Marks is about 8 oz. (or 1 Cup), so being down, even by as much as a quart isn't that significant. In Fact, the entire range on the Guage represents 1.5 Litres (or 1.6 US Qts.) so being down a quart is still in the OK Range.

Anything between the 2nd to Top mark and the 2nd to Bottom Mark is the OK range and that's exactly what it means - OK - no need to add.

If you add, you risk overfilling unless you add slowly, but preferably, pre-measure as the Gauge responds slowly to any added Oil, and overfilling is just too easy.

Too many Owners obsess about keeping it at the Top Line (or 2nd to Top Line) and inadvertently overfill the system which is much worse than the level being 1 or 2 Lines down...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[n4ally2]

Thanks Jim. If it is overfilled, should one drain the oil so we don't compromise flow and heating ability? Also, the info on the amount of fluid on each level really helps. Now I know not to dump a quart in all at once.

The user's guide did state how much motor oil the tank holds. However, I wasn't kidding about adding the 1 quart and it was full. On the 06 model, when you start the car, the level of moto oil is shown on the dash broad because there is a sensor in the oil tank. The indicator has 5 bars. Before I added the oil, it showed it is on the first bar, which for anyone who checks their fluid on the car, means add more fluid. In my previous car, the S4, when it is on the last bar, I had to put 3 quarts of oil to get it to the middle of the indicator. So my thinking is that prehaps the old traditional way of showing motor oil in a car, with a dip stick, is what I prefer.

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by n4ally2

Thanks Jim. If it is overfilled, should one drain the oil so we don't compromise flow and heating ability? Also, the info on the amount of fluid on each level really helps. Now I know not to dump a quart in all at once.

The user's guide did state how much motor oil the tank holds. However, I wasn't kidding about adding the 1 quart and it was full. On the 06 model, when you start the car, the level of moto oil is shown on the dash broad because there is a sensor in the oil tank. The indicator has 5 bars. Before I added the oil, it showed it is on the first bar, which for anyone who checks their fluid on the car, means add more fluid. In my previous car, the S4, when it is on the last bar, I had to put 3 quarts of oil to get it to the middle of the indicator. So my thinking is that prehaps the old traditional way of showing motor oil in a car, with a dip stick, is what I prefer.

Yes, you do not want to ride around with too much oil.

I would start by taking off the oil filter and dumping the oil in the filter.

Then, reinstall the filter and run the car a bit. Then check oil again.

You might have to do this twice to get the oil back to where it should be.

Good luck.