Possible issue with my oil level indiactor?

[wj209980]

Hi all - hoping someone can help :-)

I've got a '64 reg, Audi A4, 2.0 diesel, Quattro, S-Line.

I've had this since October 2014 (22 months) and driven 14,000 miles.

Since having the car, I have always fired up the digital oil level indicator every 2 weeks to check it, and it has ALWAYS shown to be at the 'Max' level (i.e. it has never dipped below this).

This is with one exception - last week it went in for the 'emissions fix'. The next morning, I checked the indicator just after setting off for work and it showed half full. When I set off from work, I checked again and it showed quarter full. 15 minutes into the journey I checked again and it had shot back up to Max again. It has stayed at Max for the last few days.

Unless it is sheer coincidence, there is a high likelihood that the temporary change in reading was in some way brought about by the work done at the garage - this would be fine. But it's got me thinking....

Is it 'normal' for the oil level to still be showing max after nearly 2 years and 14,000 miles? Or, when the indiocator temporarily showed (albeit for only a few miles) a level of around 1/4 full, was this a more realistic reading? Really don't want to be swanning around thinking all is fine when in fact there is no oil left.

Sorry if this all sounds really noob, but better safe than sorry.

Thanks!

[Guest 2]

Mine does this too, I left the bonnet open for an extended period as it showed 1/4 on the dash. It's stayed at max ever since and since it was new (Oct '15 and 20k miles).

[mauricedar]

same car as you, the book says check only with hot engine & wait 2 minutes after stopping engine to get accurate reading.I checked mine after a 6 mile journey & it was only half way full. Did again after 50 miles & it was on max

[l3db6h]

How common is it for it to read erratically like this?

I've just bought my first Audi (A4 B8 Avant 2.0 TFSI) and this digital oil gauge and no dipstick to double check the reading makes me nervous as hell as, you know, oil level is a bit important.

[Gunnark100]

Buy a dipstick. Or double check oilreading not on mmi but on dis, should be accurate.

[l3db6h]

First thing I did after I bought it was lift the bonnet to check the oil. Was shocked to find a plastic cap where the dipstick should be! Good to know that it will still accept a dipstick. You don't happen to know the part number?

What do you mean by "double check oilreading not on mmi but on dis"?

[Gunnark100]

First thing I did after I bought it was lift the bonnet to check the oil. Was shocked to find a plastic cap where the dipstick should be! Good to know that it will still accept a dipstick. You don't happen to know the part number?

What do you mean by "double check oilreading not on mmi but on dis"?

there is many on the market, you need to find correct one for your engine, one example is here

AudiEnthusiasts Master

some of those on the market have to long "handle" so it will scrab against the hood, if its closed, so some people cut it shorter or carry dipstick in the trunk

Oil reading in dis:

Oilreading will appear on small display between rpm and odometer display(dis).

1.After drive, stop and shut off the car on even ground
2. After 3-5 minutes pull the bonnet release and open drivers door
3.Switch ignation on(dont touch pedals or start the car)
4.Press reset button on the right lever twice etc and oil level should appear in DIS.

Russian link, but in short i translated main process already:
Как правильно пользовать�� �лектронной шкалой уровн� ма�ла в автомобил�х Audi (A4/A5/Q5 и не только.) — бортжурнал Audi A4 2.0 TFSI MT ▱Quattro▱ | DRIVE2

And one local forum thread regarding dipstick:
Dipstick

[l3db6h]

That's pretty comprehensive answer. Thanks Gunnark100!