Dip stick oil level

skurup · Post by **skurup** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 3:00 am

Hi,

I have two question about the 2005 Z4 2.5i Automatic.
a) Which is the correct appropriate level that the engine oil should be in the dipstick (see the pic). Is it position1 or position2?
b) Also, how much oil would be needed approximately to cover the height from Postion1 to Position3?

Thanks.

mjennings23 · Post by **mjennings23** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:00 am

From my understanding the oil level should be on the middle block only, so 2 would be maximum.

kis · Post by **kis** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:47 am

The bottom notch is the lowest point, the top the high point. If you're close to "position 1" then I'm sure it's still fine but wouldn't want it being 3-4mm above that point.

Too little oil is bad, as is too much. From my experience when it is close to the lowest notch I fill up 500ml of oil. This doesn't bring it up to bang on the top notch but close enough. It also means I know how much oil I've got left and can pre determine how much longer it'll last before getting more.

kis · Post by **kis** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:49 am

From owner manual

: FullSizeRender.jpg (132.26 KiB) Viewed 1013 times

thecremeegg · Post by **thecremeegg** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 12:15 pm

kis wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:49 amFrom owner manual

FullSizeRender.jpg

Clear as mud!
I don't know why they think that for something as important as oil level, a shoddy diagram of a dipstick that isn't the same as the one in the car is suitable?!

RKM · Post by **RKM** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 2:10 pm

thecremeegg wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2018 12:15 pmClear as mud!
I don't know why they think that for something as important as oil level, a shoddy diagram of a dipstick that isn't the same as the one in the car is suitable?!

Amen to that. They probably want you to take it to the dealer for "oil level inspection".

patriot66 · Post by **patriot66** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 2:53 pm

I check my oil weekly and always keep it between position 1 and 2 in your photo. Bear in mind the difference between position 1 and 3 is approximately 1 litre of oil.

skurup · Post by **skurup** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 3:42 pm

patriot66 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2018 2:53 pmI check my oil weekly and always keep it between position 1 and 2 in your photo. Bear in mind the difference between position 1 and 3 is approximately 1 litre of oil.

Wow. Didn't knew that's 1 litre between 1 and 2.

I will try doing that too. I bought this oil recently. It says it's specifically for high mileage vehicles. Mine is around 79k.

patriot66 · Post by **patriot66** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 8:52 pm

skurup wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2018 3:42 pm
patriot66 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2018 2:53 pmI check my oil weekly and always keep it between position 1 and 2 in your photo. Bear in mind the difference between position 1 and 3 is approximately 1 litre of oil.
Wow. Didn't knew that's 1 litre between 1 and 2.
I will try doing that too. I bought this oil recently. It says it's specifically for high mileage vehicles. Mine is around 79k.

It's 1 litre of oil between 1 and 3, not 1 and 2.

Anmarube · Post by **Anmarube** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:49 pm

Lovely clean oil on that dipstick Op

As a side matter the best thing I've done to my 2.5 Auto was to change the auto transmission fluid...Made my gear changes perfect and kick down pretty much instant to what it was before...Messy job but easy enough to do.

Scott S · Post by **Scott S** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:56 pm

patriot66 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2018 2:53 pm I check my oil weekly and always keep it between position 1 and 2 in your photo. Bear in mind the difference between position 1 and 3 is approximately 1 litre of oil.

I better check mine ive had my car since August last year, only done about 1200 miles since. Maybe I should check it. It's also an automatic, so should check that I suppose

skurup · Post by **skurup** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 10:44 pm

Anmarube wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2018 9:49 pmLovely clean oil on that dipstick Op As a side matter the best thing I've done to my 2.5 Auto was to change the auto transmission fluid...Made my gear changes perfect and kick down pretty much instant to what it was before...Messy job but easy enough to do.

Yes. I'm planning to get that done too soon in the coming months.
Any suggestion on what's the best oil to use?

Anmarube · Post by **Anmarube** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 11:14 pm

I can have a look at the remaining container for specs tomorrow but Ducklakeview recommended it to me,Correct spec/grade etc..I'll check in garage tomorrow and post back..
I had a damaged cooler pipe to auto box so replaced the fluid as a matter of course..What came out was black and horrible..Their is a post on here somewhere that takes you through the whole process including fluid grades etc but you may have to search for it......Totally transformed my auto box and well worth doing..

oldgit · Post by **oldgit** » Fri Feb 16, 2018 11:26 pm

thecremeegg.

I agree. I've just done an oil and filter change for the first time. The owner's handbook is unhelpful.
I poured in enough oil to reach position 2. I used about 6.5 litres which is the stated capacity, so it looks like I've done it correctly.
It is good to have an easily-accessible oil filter.

thecremeegg · Post by **thecremeegg** » Sun Feb 18, 2018 1:00 am

oldgit wrote: ↑Fri Feb 16, 2018 11:26 pmthecremeegg.

I agree. I've just done an oil and filter change for the first time. The owner's handbook is unhelpful.
I poured in enough oil to reach position 2. I used about 6.5 litres which is the stated capacity, so it looks like I've done it correctly.
It is good to have an easily-accessible oil filter.

It's not just on these cars to be honest, every car I've owned has had dipsticks that are ambiguous and difficult to read, along with a manual that is less than helpful. How hard it is to just make the manual match up to the dipstick with a decent photo I will never know!

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