Yeah Foosh i'll have to check again this weekend to be sure but the couple times I tried to check it with the engine cold it said unavailable.

 

As I said, this is very weird, because I've been checking the oil level at least once a week for two years now, before starting the car first thing in the morning.

I also check it periodically a half hour or more after driving it and always get the same readings as when cold in the morning.

I can only surmise that there are different versions of the software out there.

 

Car hasn't been started for almost a week, was able to bring up the oil level just now.

 

I just picked up my car. They had to remove 500ml. The level was at the cusp where it showed full when cold but overfilled when hot.

The best time to check is 30 minutes afterwards according to the service manager. The pressure needs to be measured when the engine is hot. As we know oil expands with temperature.

Anyhow - lesson learned. Always check oil level after servicing and every week!

 

Mine behaves exactly like yours, and I also allways get the same readings - no matter if I read it 15-20 minutes after shut down (warm oil/engine) or the next day.

However if I wait for some days or more (not shure where/when the time limit is but it's longer than one day), I will also get the message "oil level not available".

 

Folks,

You 'should' be able to read the oil level at any time after around 10-15 minutes and get a sensible reading, once the oil has stablised in the sump.

If you receive a "Not available' message, then the software still thinks that the oil is stabilising (of course, after 10-15 mins or 18 hours, this is not the case), because 95% of it is in the sump.

Try this little routine if you would to see if it clears the error...it's a long shot, but I would like to know if it works for you:

Car on level ground - Engine off for more than 15mins

1/ Make sure you are in Park, with the engine off, Ign ON
2/ Scroll through the message centre to the Oil level menu
3/ Press the Cruise control button twice, within two seconds

You are now into the 'Live' reading, handy when topping up or draining.

This may or may not clear the confused sensor reading, and I'd be interested to know from those of you that have a 'Not available' if it clears the issue out of curiosity.

 

I have tried that before and just now tried it again. It does not show oil level, it does not move from the selection screen. That "live" bit must apply only to earlier model years.
Larry

 

I have just been out to the garage and gone through the procedure that I wrote, just in case I made a boo-boo...Don't expect any change from the oil level screen; There won't be a 'live' message attached.

Sorry if I confused you. The button pushes merely tells the sensor to go into 'raw' data mode, rather than a semi historical, smoothed output, i.e If you drain or fill the engine with oil, the sensor will read immediate 'live' readings, handy when doing such.

The procedure was taken form the workshop (Topix) manual for a 2015 (MY2016 UK) built V8, and I'm sure it's common on all engine blocks/types.

 

My indicator always works except for up to 15 minutes after the engine was last running.

 

Tel,


I followed your procedure but it does not bring up the oil level screen. Pushing the cruise button twice does nothing.
Larry

 

On my 2015 FtypeR, the engine has to be warm/hot and I need to wait around 10 minutes or so; otherwise its 'unavailable'... If I try to check it in the morning when cold its 'unavailable'.

I was advised that the reason is, in the first instance the oil needs to run back into the pan completely and be warm as it expands when warm. In the second instance; as its cold the reading would not be accurate.

The logic makes sense to me and I find it easy to work around, although I would prefer the dip stick method.
Lawrence.

 

That doesn't address the question of why some F-Types, both V8 and V6 and 14-16s, allow an oil check anytime other than when running and for 15 minutes after, but some don't. That's just non-sensical.

I understand the physics of fluid expansion and contraction, but my experience has been that volume differences due to oil temp are really not enough to significantly alter an oil level reading. In the dozens of wet-sump engines I've owned, the reading is about the same, warm or cold, after the oil has returned to the pan.

It doesn't seem to matter whether it's 30 minutes or several days since the engine was running. The same is true of my F-Type, and I've checked it at least 100 times both warm and cold over the last 2 years, since mine does allow a cold check anytime. I know the display works, because if I don't wait at least 30 minutes, it reads less than full, but after 30 minutes it's always indicated exactly full, warm or cold.

 

I wasn't trying to answer the question of why some of the F's are different.. this is simply what my car does.

On our heavy equipment our diesels run with 20 litres approx. of oil and the difference between the oil hot and cold, when checked is quite clear. No doubt less so on our cars as there is less oil. Anyway, keeping my oil within spec. is pretty simple from my perspective.
Lawrence.

 

This is dangerous for the engine indeed. Jaguar advises if the engine is over filled to not start the engine and call out Jaguar road assistance/recovery. My advice is that you ensure you have warranty whilst you own your car.


I've had some strange experiences with oil on my Jag for example +/- results from cold check on a level surface, I was also told the other week that some of the oil sensors are faulty and I believe there equipment cannot always pick this up. Let me know if you have any queries.

 

Guys,
I don't have auto techincal skills or knowledge other than general maintenance toward a car.
So I'll pose my question to you, if there is a third of a quart or half a quart extra, more than what is recommended, what would happen. If it's only a 1/3 to 1/2 quart oil extra what's the big deal. This is minor, yes ?
Your answers are much appreciated . thanks.
PS ... If there is a tad bit extra in my grand Cherokee V8, it's never been an issue . so why is it dangerous for the Jag engine. High compression ?

 

Yes, nothing would happen, and yes it's inconsequential. It's only a potential issue if grossly overfilled by 2+ quarts.

 

I agree with Foosh ... none of this is an issue if its only a half to full quart or so over.
Lawrence

 

+1.

 

So what are you guys going to do if engine work
becomes necessary?

Start the car for 15 minutes with unknown oil level?

My dipstick always works and I know how to read it