motor oil level

[n4ally2]

how much motor oil does the boxster take? I filled 1 quart in and it is full. BTW, I heard that you are not supposed to fill the oil to the top like other cars, or else it will start smoking. Is that true?

[jwilson95]

Not to be rude, but read the owner's manual front to back at least once. You will learn a lot about your car.

Not sure about a 2006 vs. my 2002, so I won't speculate.

Oh yeah, read the owner's manual...

JMW

[n4ally2]

Read the manual already, but it always say fill up to the top line. That was it. nothing about smoking.

[humara]

idk how much oil your boxster takes, but its def. more than 1 qt.

[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.

[spark00]

how accurate are the oil level sensors? my oil level indicator on 99 model always shows oil level to be within max and min level but it's always at different place. close to bottom or min level when putting the gas in but almost at max level during other times. not sure if i can trust the sensor.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by spark00

how accurate are the oil level sensors? my oil level indicator on 99 model always shows oil level to be within max and min level but it's always at different place. close to bottom or min level when putting the gas in but almost at max level during other times. not sure if i can trust the sensor.

Hi,

IMHO, they're not all that accurate, others disagree.

But, in any event there are so many conditions which must be met to insure accuracy - Engine OFF, Car on Level Ground (do you carry a Bubble Level with you?), sufficient time to allow Oil to drain, Oil at operating Temperature, etc. that if you're one of the lucky few who has a Dipstick ('97-'03), refer to it when determining when to add and only use the digi-gauge as a convenience...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[z12358]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

IMHO, they're not all that accurate, others disagree.

But, in any event there are so many conditions which must be met to insure accuracy - Engine OFF, Car on Level Ground (do you carry a Bubble Level with you?), sufficient time to allow Oil to drain, Oil at operating Temperature, etc. that if you're one of the lucky few who has a Dipstick ('97-'03), refer to it when determining when to add and only use the digi-gauge as a convenience...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

Jim, wouldn't the dipstick be equally sensitive to these conditions?
Z.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by z12358

Jim, wouldn't the dipstick be equally sensitive to these conditions?
Z.

Hi,

Sensitive, yes - Equally Sensitive, no. With the Dipstick you can actually see the Oil Level and false readings, while possible, aren't as easy. Porsche, by eliminating the Dipstick, have apparently decided that Convenience is more important to their Customers than Accuracy - that the Digi-gauge makes a greater superior technology statement...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[z12358]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Hi,

Sensitive, yes - Equally Sensitive, no. With the Dipstick you can actually see the Oil Level and false readings, while possible, aren't as easy. Porsche, by eliminating the Dipstick, have apparently decided that Convenience is more important to their Customers than Accuracy - that the Digi-gauge makes a greater superior technology statement...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

I'm not familiar with how the sensors measure the level (how many and what locations), but why would a single observation point (dipstick) be more reliable (or more robust) than multiple observatios points (strategically positioned to minimize outside effects) whose inputs are digitally processed (averaged?) and presented on the dashboard? At the minimum, one could have a single sensor where the dipstick is and "see" whatever level the dipstick "sees" -- thus making it as good as a dipstick. Right?
Z.