dipstick!

[Lateknight]

Never check the level with the engine running. Its pointless.

Try pulling the dipstick, wiping it. Put it back fully and pulling it again. Then check the level.
Yeah the black on black is a pain, but you should be able to see a wet level. If in doubt, wipe and try again. Simples.

[SebRogers]

Thanks for all the replies.

The black on black doesn't help, but it's not the main problem. Despite checking multiple times with the dipstick before topping up, and then multiple times after, I still couldn't read the oil level after putting 300ml in after the low oil level warning light had come on (although I'm 100% confident that it's over the min mark, because I can establish that there's no visible oil on the end of the dipstick if I don't insert it the last inch or so into the tube and there is if I just leave it, say 1/2 inch out. So the oil level is above min and, so far as I can tell, below max).

I'm perfectly capable of reading a dipstick The one on my elderly camper van isn't great, but it is consistent and it is readable, once you've got the knack. The one on my car... utterly pointless, as far as I can see.

Hey ho. Warning light, gut feeling and tea leaf reading it is then

[Ben]

I also had this issue and posted photos of the dipstick. I also found that the low oil level light comes on when the oil level is 50% up the dipstick. It comes on far too early. I was that concerned I took it to Audi suspecting the oil level sensor was faulty. They just said it was low oil. I had to agree to disagree.

Read this thread https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...light=dipstick

[SebRogers]

Thanks Ben. Unlike you I find the dipstick almost impossible to read, but I agree that the sensor appears over-keen.

Audi's advice to top up the oil in 1/2 litre increments is also strange, to say the least. Total capacity for my engine (2.0 170pd - don't have the code to hand) is 3.8 litres including filter IIRC. Topping up 1/2 litre at a time with a hard-to-read dipstick risks overfilling if you ask me.

[jmcvitie]

Hi Everyone,

I'm having the same problem on my 2.0tdi 140 (BRE), sensor is coming on way to early. I have to keep the oil level right on MAX to stop the low level warning light coming on. The problem with this is that its so difficult to get an accurate reading from the dipstick that I am worried of overfilling.

I have just done an oil change with filter and drained as much of the old oil as possible. I then gradually added oil until the low level warning light no longer comes on, in the end I put approximately 3.6 litres of fresh oil, but oil level on the dipstick is already on MAX if not slightly over...

I am convinced something is not right, the oil level warning should not come on so early. Either the dipstick is too short or there is some issue with the oil temp/level sender (G266).

I have replaced the sender with a brand new one and this has made no difference. VAGCOM reports oil temp of 95 degrees celsius and oil level of 40mm cruising at 60mph. The dipistick is about 59cm long from the tip to the stop. Can anyone else confirm the same values?

Thanks!

[GARYRICH]

I painted mine silver, a lot easier to read, when it has settled.

[FLIPKEY]

I changed from longlife service (very thin oil) engine used 1/2 litre every 2k miles.

last service got it changed to regular servicing, every 10k

The engine now use hardly any oil at all , done 8k since last service and have never had to top it up,

so I have given up almost trying to check the black on black level dipstick !!

[DougJohnSmith]

I've had the oil warning on twice, on both occasions shortly after checking the oil level. Must be that the sensor is too sensitive - as suggested elsewhere. I carry spare oil in the car just in case.