Oil level

[eddie_delaine826]

I understand that my 2010 3.0D has to have the oil level checked using the message system on the dash, and the manual tells me to stop if there is a message 'Low Oil Pressure' - which hopefully I will never see! What it doesn't tell me is whether or not there would be a message to indicate if the oil level is low, which would seem to be something that might reasonably be expected. Not that it is my intention to let the oil get to that position, but it would be nice to know it was there if for any reason it should come to that. In the meantime I am trying to ascertain if my new-to-me XF uses oil, and if so, how much, but I have to confess that while I'm finding easy to remember that I intend to check the oil level at the end of a trip, but just as easily I forget to do it after the required 10 minutes and then remember an hour later when the engine has then cooled too much.

[andypryce]

Perhaps I am wrong, but surely if the engine is cold it is ok to check the level?

[eddie_delaine826]

Perhaps I am wrong, but surely if the engine is cold it is ok to check the level?

Not according to the manual which says

"Prior to checking the oil level ensure that
. The vehicle is on level ground.
. The engine oil has reached working temperature (oil is hot).
. The engine has been switched off for ten minutes as the system will not give an accurate reading until the oil level has stabilised.

[andypryce]

Well there we go, never knew that,

[ptjs1]

eddie,

It would be interesting to hear from you what is the oil level if you check it exactly as per the manual seems to say ie after fully heated up and then 10 mins after turn off; compared to say a test one hour after cool down; compared to checking first thing in the morning when fully cold.

If you try this maybe you (and we!) would then understand if there really is a difference in oil levels when "warm" compared to cold and, therefore, how important the official Jaguar instructions may be.

Paul

[eddie_delaine826]

I have done this, and interestingly when the engine was cold the check showed that the oil level was OK, when checked in accordance with the manual it said to add 1/2 litre. I added 1/2 litre and after a run rechecked it 10 minutes after stopping and it showed it was OK as expected. 1/2 litre doesn't make much difference I know, but there are two reasons why, as a new owner of a used car I want an accurate oil level reading:

- it will enable me to find out whether the engine uses oil or not, and if it does to be ready to top it up at the necessary intervals;
- being retired I don't do a regular commute, so quite a lot of short journeys with much longer trips every month or so. Being aware of the potential consequences of incomplete DPF regeneration dumping diesel into the sump I also want to see the oil level isn't increasing; I like to know if things are as they should be, monitoring what's happening can avoid avoidable problems and the associated bills.

[ptjs1]

Tks for that eddie. Very interesting, the difference between fully cold as opposed to being measured as per the manual.

As you say, monitoring in a consistent manner is important, particularly with the dpf potential to drop fuel into the sump.

Cheers

Paul