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Old 01-19-2013, 07:12 PM   #7
thom4782
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Foster City CA
Posts: 1,099
I'd provide a reference if I could remember where I read the following. The timer uses a 1 minute countdown when the engine is cold or after 10 minutes have passed after a warm engine is shut off. If the engine is warm and is less than 10 minutes after it's been shut off, the timer sets a much longer count down period to allow the oil to drain into the sump. In my car, the 'long' count down starts at 60 minutes if I turn the ignition back on right after shut down.

PS: my owner's manual provides conflicting information. It says the short (< 1 minute) count down takes place when the engine is cold OR when the engine is at operating temperature. This latter condition isn't one I've noticed, but I'll check tomorrow. The manual goes on to say that it will automatically check the oil level during refueling if the engine is at operating temperature, the ignition is off during refueling and the refueling takes less than 15 minutes.

Last edited by thom4782; 01-19-2013 at 07:58 PM. Reason: added PS
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