Oil Level

[keithl]

My oil level gauge on my '99 (which I've owned for about 4 months) use to read at the top line or above. Now after doing my first oil change (adding 9 quarts) my gauge reads in the middle or below, even after sitting all night. Where should my oil gauge
be? Thanks.

[cas951]

Take it for a drive. About 10 miles. Reason for this is Eng maybe at operating temp but the oil is not. This should be long enough for the engine oil to reach normal operating temp.

Park the car at level ground and wait a few minutes than check the level.

When I change my oil I normally start with 8 quarts or less. Drive the car till it reaches normal operating temp and top off from there.

Be very careful as you already have 9 qts there. A lot of AOS issues results from overfilling.

[Keith Newby]

I believe it should be at or near the top of the display range. Luckly you have a dip stick to double check your fill level. On my '00 it sometimes shows at the top and the next cold start shows it a bar or two down. It's a shame manufacturers are deleting the dip stick because "people don't check their oil level anymore".

[landrovered]

My Boxster takes 10 quarts to fill if you change the filter.

FYI: The difference between the top and bottom line on the gauge on the dash is a quart and a half.

[Lil bastard]

The dipstick is much more accurate than the gauge.

Don't overly obsess about keeping it Full. The Boxster uses 9-9.5 Qts. at a change w/ filter. But the car has a very generous OK range, and for everyday use, OK means OK. Overfilling the oil can lead to excess wear on the motor due to foaming. Admittedly, if Tracking the car, the level is more critical.

Each hack on the gauge represents approx. 8oz., or 1 cup of oil.

Cheers!

[keithl]

Thanks everyone!

[mikefocke]

that are on the gauge nest to the curved segments. It varies with the amount of water vapor mixed with the oil, the temperature, etc.

I do tend to keep it filled to somewhere within the top 3 indicator segments while being very careful to not overfill it. If it shows down a segment, I don't rush to add more. It can wait.