Checking Oil
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Hi One&Done, the manual makes the process a bit cumbersome because it wants the oil at operating temperature and indicates a post-shutdown waiting period that is most of the time too short. I usually wait 15 minutes after shutdown, sometimes 20 min, before checking and it will be more cooperative. Sometimes you might feel the car is not listening to you, but it might just be thinking without tell you.
#4
The following 2 users liked this post by Stuart S:
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#7
My engine does not use measurable amounts of oil and I have never added oil between oil changes in the 4 years I have had it.
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#8
Join Date: Apr 2008
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As outlined in the Owners Manual, the oil should be at “working temperature”.
As volumetric expansion of oil at working temperature can be effectively calculated, I typically guestimate an acceptable level by way of the electronic sensor. Be advised, the difference does exist.
I do like this statement in the Workshop Manual:
Operation under varying conditions can frequently be misleading. A vehicle that has been run for several thousand
miles on short trips or in below-freezing ambient temperatures may have consumed a "normal" amount of oil. However, when checking the engine oil level, it may measure up to the full mark on the oil level indicator due to dilution (condensation and fuel) in the engine crankcase. The vehicle then might be driven at high speeds on the highway where the condensation and fuel boil off. The next time the engine oil is checked it may appear that a liter of oil was used in about 160 km (100 miles). Oil consumption rate is about one liter per 2,400 km (1,500 miles).
And this:
. Carry out an oil consumption test:
Run the engine to normal operating temperature. Switch engine OFF and allow oil to drain back for at
least five minutes .
With vehicle parked on level surface, check the engine oil level.
If required, add engine oil to set level exactly to the FULL mark.
Record the vehicle mileage.
Instruct the customer to return for a level check after driving the vehicle as usual for 1,610 km (1000
miles).
Check the oil level under the same conditions and at the same location as the initial check.
NOTE: If the oil consumption rate is unacceptable go to Step 4.
4. Check the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system. Make sure the system is not plugged.
fwiw.
cheers
Guy.
As volumetric expansion of oil at working temperature can be effectively calculated, I typically guestimate an acceptable level by way of the electronic sensor. Be advised, the difference does exist.
I do like this statement in the Workshop Manual:
Operation under varying conditions can frequently be misleading. A vehicle that has been run for several thousand
miles on short trips or in below-freezing ambient temperatures may have consumed a "normal" amount of oil. However, when checking the engine oil level, it may measure up to the full mark on the oil level indicator due to dilution (condensation and fuel) in the engine crankcase. The vehicle then might be driven at high speeds on the highway where the condensation and fuel boil off. The next time the engine oil is checked it may appear that a liter of oil was used in about 160 km (100 miles). Oil consumption rate is about one liter per 2,400 km (1,500 miles).
And this:
. Carry out an oil consumption test:
Run the engine to normal operating temperature. Switch engine OFF and allow oil to drain back for at
least five minutes .
With vehicle parked on level surface, check the engine oil level.
If required, add engine oil to set level exactly to the FULL mark.
Record the vehicle mileage.
Instruct the customer to return for a level check after driving the vehicle as usual for 1,610 km (1000
miles).
Check the oil level under the same conditions and at the same location as the initial check.
NOTE: If the oil consumption rate is unacceptable go to Step 4.
4. Check the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system. Make sure the system is not plugged.
fwiw.
cheers
Guy.
#9
My 4.2 XKR does not burn oil to any measurable extent, same for my prior ones.
I have no need to fill up in-between change intervals.
However, I have been wondering about the relevance of the exact specification, apart from viscosity.
Why wouldn’t almost every modern high quality synthetic oil do the job properly?
I have no need to fill up in-between change intervals.
However, I have been wondering about the relevance of the exact specification, apart from viscosity.
Why wouldn’t almost every modern high quality synthetic oil do the job properly?
#10
As outlined in the Owners Manual, the oil should be at “working temperature”.
As volumetric expansion of oil at working temperature can be effectively calculated, I typically guestimate an acceptable level by way of the electronic sensor. Be advised, the difference does exist.
I do like this statement in the Workshop Manual:
Operation under varying conditions can frequently be misleading. A vehicle that has been run for several thousand
miles on short trips or in below-freezing ambient temperatures may have consumed a "normal" amount of oil. However, when checking the engine oil level, it may measure up to the full mark on the oil level indicator due to dilution (condensation and fuel) in the engine crankcase. The vehicle then might be driven at high speeds on the highway where the condensation and fuel boil off. The next time the engine oil is checked it may appear that a liter of oil was used in about 160 km (100 miles). Oil consumption rate is about one liter per 2,400 km (1,500 miles).
And this:
. Carry out an oil consumption test:
Run the engine to normal operating temperature. Switch engine OFF and allow oil to drain back for at
least five minutes .
With vehicle parked on level surface, check the engine oil level.
If required, add engine oil to set level exactly to the FULL mark.
Record the vehicle mileage.
Instruct the customer to return for a level check after driving the vehicle as usual for 1,610 km (1000
miles).
Check the oil level under the same conditions and at the same location as the initial check.
NOTE: If the oil consumption rate is unacceptable go to Step 4.
4. Check the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system. Make sure the system is not plugged.
fwiw.
cheers
Guy.
As volumetric expansion of oil at working temperature can be effectively calculated, I typically guestimate an acceptable level by way of the electronic sensor. Be advised, the difference does exist.
I do like this statement in the Workshop Manual:
Operation under varying conditions can frequently be misleading. A vehicle that has been run for several thousand
miles on short trips or in below-freezing ambient temperatures may have consumed a "normal" amount of oil. However, when checking the engine oil level, it may measure up to the full mark on the oil level indicator due to dilution (condensation and fuel) in the engine crankcase. The vehicle then might be driven at high speeds on the highway where the condensation and fuel boil off. The next time the engine oil is checked it may appear that a liter of oil was used in about 160 km (100 miles). Oil consumption rate is about one liter per 2,400 km (1,500 miles).
And this:
. Carry out an oil consumption test:
Run the engine to normal operating temperature. Switch engine OFF and allow oil to drain back for at
least five minutes .
With vehicle parked on level surface, check the engine oil level.
If required, add engine oil to set level exactly to the FULL mark.
Record the vehicle mileage.
Instruct the customer to return for a level check after driving the vehicle as usual for 1,610 km (1000
miles).
Check the oil level under the same conditions and at the same location as the initial check.
NOTE: If the oil consumption rate is unacceptable go to Step 4.
4. Check the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system. Make sure the system is not plugged.
fwiw.
cheers
Guy.
#11
The 2012 XF Owners Manual says the oil level measurement should be made when the engine oil is " hot " ie stop the engine and wait at least 10 minutes . This manual also states that minimum safe operating oil level is approximately 1.5L below the full mark. Also from the Owners Manual one can infer that when the electric gauge shows "Level OK " you have at least approximately 1L more than the minimum safe level and up to 1.5L above the safe level.
This why I check the oil level before I start my car each time I take it out and I have never checked it hot.
This why I check the oil level before I start my car each time I take it out and I have never checked it hot.
Last edited by Six Rotors; 08-11-2023 at 05:37 AM. Reason: clarification
#13
The standard oil level check on the 5 litre cars is based on an algorithm that calculates and monitors the engine oil level over a period of time so it doesn't really matter whether the oil is hot or cold.
You have to put it into service mode to see the live oil level on the display and the instructions say to wait at least 10 minutes after switching the engine off to allow for the oil to drain back into the sump (the text below says to wait 5 minutes if you see F but it says to wait at least 10 minutes before checking, on the previous page).
You have to put it into service mode to see the live oil level on the display and the instructions say to wait at least 10 minutes after switching the engine off to allow for the oil to drain back into the sump (the text below says to wait 5 minutes if you see F but it says to wait at least 10 minutes before checking, on the previous page).
#14
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