Has anyone had to add oil?

After eight months of driving, racking up 3,400 miles, I haven't had to top off the oil level at all. Having to go through the service menu is slightly annoying, even a bit worrisome. Always informing me that the "Engine Oil Level OK" (at Max) seems doubtful - surely it should register a somewhat lower level by now. Makes me wish for an old-fashioned dipstick, at least there would be no doubt as to the oil level.

 

I prefer dipstick too , I would be unrest considering I am used to having cars with low tech reliable stick .
Some say this new system also very reliable but don't know

 

These electronic oil level systems have proven to be pretty darned accurate, but I personally think the dipstick is the way to go. If you think you need to verify the level, attached is the procedure to override the average indication and see the live reading.

Brace yourself, reading this will scare you to death. Just believe me, once you've read through it a couple [or three or four] times and have a grip on it, it's not too bad to do.

Cheers,

 

That's reassuring; I imagine the system would have to be fairly accurate in order to determine the fairly small increments of oil to be added should the need arise.

Thanks for the information; the procedure appears fairly straight-forward - gonna give it a try tomorrow.

 

the system will give you a message on the display if oil level sensor has a problem or is not reading properly. i have had to repair a couple harnesses on brand new cars out on the lot for this sensor where an animal of some kind decided to relax on the undertray and chew on some of the wires for the sensor., but other that that the system works really good. kind of a pain in the butt to set the oil level after changing oil.

also why would you need to be adding oil, it shouldn't be going anywhere until your next oil change. if you need to be adding oil between changes its either leaking or burning.

 

It's been my experience with all new cars I've owned in the past decade or so (including XF), that a little oil consumption between changes was normal. My old XF was down about half a quart at 3,000 miles. The XJ's Owner's Handbook states "Drivers should expect above normal consumption when the engine is new"; I expected at least a little consumption at my current 3,600 mileage.

I tried the "Live Value" reading method this morning - no change, oil level still at Max. No faults reported, so I guess everything is copacetic.

 

Hi XJR Guy,

Would you know if the instructions that you provided in your PDF regarding checking engine oil in an XJ will work for an XF which does not have a service menu and just an oil level display which is reached by pressing chrome button at end of turn signal stalk.

I own a 2015 XF 3.0SC AWD with 8,000 miles and have been having some oil measuring issues.

When scrolling through left hand side trip monitor to get to oil level setting, (as described in owner's manual) I sometimes receive the symbol of a totally full oil level reading with a message saying to see handbook and that there is too much oil. Other times the setting states "oil level OK". I had an oil change at dealer 3,000 miles ago and have not added any oil. The car runs fine and I get no dashboard error messages or warnings.

The other day I brought my car to the dealer who confirmed that the oil level was fine and they diagnosed a faulty oil sensor which they replaced under warranty. They also found no stored codes. However, I still am getting some readings saying to see handbook and that oil level is too high but when parked at a different location my reading says "oil level OK" which I believe to be true. Especially since this was just confirmed at the dealer.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Ed

 

Had my car 5 years now and covered 56000 miles, never had to add a drop in between services !, it is the 3.0 diesel engine that we have here in the UK

 

Ed,
Here's a similar document for the 2015 XF, it's not quite the same as the original XJ.

Keep in mind there are different fill levels for the RWD and AWD versions of the powertrain.

AWD level is 6.5 litres or 6.8 quarts.

RWD level is 7.25 litres or 7.6 quarts.

The seeming discrepancy you describe could be explained by someone filling your AWD with 7 quarts. That is 'technically' a bit overfilled, and might be why you get overfilled once and normal the next time.

Cheers,

 

Thanks Steve,

It seems as if I am now getting regular "normal" readings after I drive for 15 minutes or so, park the car in a certain spot in front of my house, (which appears to be very flat), and let the car sit for 15-20 minutes before I do the standard oil level check through the turn signal stalk. I have gotten 4 out of 4 "normal" readings following these procedures and I am now wondering if the oil sensor is so sensitive that in some parking spots which may not be perfectly flat, it will read normal (oil level OK) and yet read "see handbook" in other parking spots. If this is the case then I have no problem parking where I get "normal" and accurate readings and checking it as outlined every few weeks or so. I appreciate your input and will review the attached PDF. Thanks again.

Ed