Oil Check - Hot or Cold?

zom247

zom247

zom247

Soldato
Joined
29 Sep 2004
Posts
3,252
Location
Wilt of the Shire
I've got a Fabia vRS and read about how some engines can use more oil than others. I read most of this on the Briskoda site but thought I'd try and see what people think here.

Over on that site they recommend taking the oil reading when it's hot or straight after a start/stop. Now I always thought that oil checks were done when the engine was cold. I did one hot yesterday and the oil was at the bottom of the cross hatch. I did another one cold this morning and it's almost at the top of the cross hatch on the dip. So, which reading do I use? I'm not a motor geek so please don't try and baffle me with car speak :)
 
Cold.

You leave the engine to cool so the oil can make its way back to the sump so you can get a accurate reading on the dip stick. Make sure the oil is in between the 2 markers.
 
Like I said, I always thought it was done cold so why do some say it has to be done hot? There must be some sort of reason behind it?
 
after a couple of mins hot oil will of dripped back into the sump inaway... ive checked cold and hot after a few mins and there isn't really anything between them, id be more bothered about the car been level !
 
As long as the engine is up to operating temperature the oil will drain to the sump straight away and can be checked. Either that or check it before turning the key when the engine is cold. Both ways will work.
 
In the cars I've owned it's always said for me to measure the oil at operating temperature, on a flat level surface, 5-10mins after turning off the engine
 
It shouldn't matter so long as you leave sufficient time for it to make its way back I to the sump. On the e46 or e39 this is a fruitless exercise though, I've found a significant difference between leaving the car ten minutes and checking cold. Probably related to the larger capacity
 
This seems to be a never ending discussion that nobody can agree on. IMO, you can check them both hot and cold. I've been doing it for years on cars and heavy machinery.

The oil may take some time to drip down from the top of the engine to give a correct reading, but IMO whether you check it hot or cold, you'll know if there's an insufficient amount in there.
 
Gaygle said:
In the cars I've owned it's always said for me to measure the oil at operating temperature, on a flat level surface, 5-10mins after turning off the engine
Click to expand...

This is the same for me as well, I can't remember the exact details as to why but I think its to do with the viscosity of the oil @ operating temp vs cold
 
My BMW says to check when hot after a few mins, if I check it cold then it completely covers the dipstick, when hot it's perfect
 
It depends which VRS you have.

My 2011 Fabia VRS with the 1.4 twincharged engine is engine oil up to temp (88-92). Turn engine off, leave for 5 mins, check oil level.

That is what Skoda told me to do when I had the oil use issues, both through Skoda UK, and at 2 different dealerships.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom