Reading the dip stick

[falcon_1898]

Can someone tell me how much oil this dip stick shows?

As far as I can tell, the oil level is all the way to the right, on the top stopper plastic bulb.

This is done by Town & Country VW dealership here in Markham Ontario. Although the part number indicates 5 liters of 505 oil, the dealership "assures" me the right oil was put in and for he right amount.

They said it's safe to drive in without risk of engine damage. With this kind of attitude, I wonder how VW's brand image stays alive for so long.

 

[andreigbs]

Looks like it's below the FULL mark, just barely.

Anything on the crosshatch area is good, above that is FULL.

I don't think it's all the way to the top stopper bulb; that may just be from pulling it out and some residual oil left along dipstick tube. There doesn't seem to be oil in that little notch before it. To me it looks fine, I wouldn't sweat it.

Check again after a tank of fuel.

Edit: more importantly, 505.0? oil exactly

 

[wensteph]

My opinion is the same as andreigbs.

 

[pawel]

ok your oil level is in the "full, do not add more oil" region.
looking from left to right:
1. If your oil level is to the left/below of the first notch, your oil level is below the minimum - add 1 L of oil and check
2. If your oil level is between the first notch and crosshatched area keep adding oil until operating level or full
3. If you oil level is within the crosshatch, you are within the operating oil level. You can add more oil to full but you do not have to.
4. If you oil level is between the crosshatched area and second notch (looking from left), your oil level is in the full region - DO NOT ADD MORE OIL.
5. Your oil level should never be above the second notch (looking from left) - second notch is the maximum oil level. If it is, drain to get below second notch.

 

[andreigbs]

Wait, this is from your '09? That oil should be 507, not 505.xx. Please check part number on receipt and post here.

 

[pawel]

Wait, this is from your '09? That oil should be 507, not 505.xx. Please check part number on receipt and post here.

+1 make sure you have 507 spec oil.

 

[ruking]

It looks just a WEE bit shy of full. Its all good. The only real question is was this reading down app 3 mins after engine shut down on flat surface, etc.?

You really do not have to add untill it gets down to the add line. If your TDI is like most, you will probably not have to do that at all in a 10,000 miles OCI.

 

[tdiatlast]

Oil level is correct. If it did indeed reach the top "bulb", you wouldn't be able to see the strands of the cable wire. I read here that the easiest way is to ROLL the tip of the dipstick on a clean paper towel. The oil level is then obvious.

505 oil is WRONG! It should be 507!! Have them drain and refill. Drive the car back (certainly no need for a tow) and have them correct their mistake.

 

[falcon_1898]

Thank you all for the input guys! I am going back today to get it changed out.

This has been tried a couple of times, when the stick is pulled out, there is a lot of oil on the wire part. I suppose you can still see a little dab in the middle of the wire part, especially unnerving when the paper work says 5 liters of ZVW 352 167 S DSP (Castrol SLX) which is very likely to be the 505 oil.

So, this could be residue from the tube? I don't know well enough, because this is my first VW.

 

[That Guy]

My 01 takes about 5 quarts too...or 5 liters. I never looked to see which it is on the containers.

Anyway...if I drain it the normal way about 4 quarts comes out. The 5th is usually in the oil filter area.

I have a Mytivac oil extractor so I can suck out "all" of the oil. And I can replace all 5 quarts.

Are the newer TDIs the same? If so, draining 4 quarts and then putting in 5 would put them over the full mark. Just something to be aware of for any newbie DIY'ers.

 

[falcon_1898]

the new ones take 4.3quarts or 4 liters.
how much do the extractor pumps cost? maybe i should get one and change oil myself.

 

[Ol'Rattler]

A few things.

• Red ScotchBrite the plastic end. Makes it easier to read.
• Check oil when car is warm.
• When you pull out the dipstick, put it aside for 5-15 minutes to let oil in the dipstick tube drain back in the crankcase.
• After you dip hold the stick somewhat vertical so oil doesn't run higher on the stick when being read.

Read your owners manual, the spec for engine oil is stated there. If they put in 505.XX they most likely used the wrong oil for an 09 and it should be changed to the correct spec oil on their dime. Like I said check to owners manual so that you will be able to show them what the correct oil is.

 

[truman]

For me, the dipstick is easiest to read after sitting overnight. I realize warm oil will expand a little, but I get repeatable/readable measurements this way.

 

[That Guy]

This is the extractor I have. http://www.amazon.com/Mityvac-7400-Liter-Fluid-Evacuator/dp/B000JFJM14

I bought it from a local store....the price for me was about $79. It works great for sucking oil. I've used it a few times since I bought it and it's still going strong.

 

[timwagon]

This is the extractor I have. http://www.amazon.com/Mityvac-7400-Liter-Fluid-Evacuator/dp/B000JFJM14

I bought it from a local store....the price for me was about $79. It works great for sucking oil. I've used it a few times since I bought it and it's still going strong.

+1 on this Mityvac. It also sucks out the oil from your lawn mower, snow blower, etc....

Also, the flow can be reversed, so you can pump the used oil back out into any empty container you have handy (like those giant detergent containers from Costco), and then just drop it off at any auto store or gas station for recycling.

 

[That Guy]

Don't suck Diesel with it though...or diesel additives.

I found that the seals swelled a bit after using it for that. Nothing too bad...it still works. But it was a bit surprising.

 

[tdi90hp]

soooo. we are all learning how to read a dipstick??

 

[HuntTheShunt]

I would like some help with this odd dipstick that the Golf uses please.
Mine similar to the picture at the top of the thread; however, there are no serrations just a long thin section that is not quite as long as the serrated section.
Does anyone else have one like mine and knows where the correct level and low level is?
TDI Golf GT MKV 2Litre 2005

 

[TooSlick]

Hmm, the meniscus seems about right, but I haven't accounted for callipillary action or the current phase of the moon. Which direction is up in this photo?

Is this thread the answer to: "How many Motörheads does it take to read a dipstick...?"

 

[VeeDubTDI]

The dipstick in post #1 shows the correct amount of oil. If yours looks like that or a bit less, you're fine.

 

[HuntTheShunt]

Mk5 dipstick

Here is a picture guys.
Where is the...
Overfull mark?
Full mark?
Fill mark?

Thanks.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Anywhere in the skinny part is ideal.

The upper wider area means do not add more oil, but it is an acceptable level.

The lower wider area means add oil until it's in the skinny part.

 

[HuntTheShunt]

Anywhere in the skinny part is ideal.

The upper wider area means do not add more oil, but it is an acceptable level.

The lower wider area means add oil until it's in the skinny part.

Great explanation.
Thanks.

 

[Rico567]

Dipstick doesn't look like it's been wiped off before checking the level. Apart from that, as others have said, it appears to be just below the "full" mark (the groove just above the hash marks on the piece shown). About where the oil level on our Passat has been since we've got it, right through the OC done at the 10K service.
Yeah, and get 507 oil put in, etc.

 

[HuntTheShunt]

Dipstick doesn't look like it's been wiped off before checking the level. Apart from that, as others have said, it appears to be just below the "full" mark (the groove just above the hash marks on the piece shown). About where the oil level on our Passat has been since we've got it, right through the OC done at the 10K service.
Yeah, and get 507 oil put in, etc.

Rico,
The picture is only to show the type of dipstick and had been lightly wiped; however, as can bee seen some oil in the arrow section has drained onto the paper.

I am now using VeeDubTDI's method of assessing the level of sump oil, e.g. Filling till the oil wets the long thin section and stopping adding when half the long thin section is wet.

>(the groove just above the hash marks on the piece shown). is to low.
If by that you mean the groove that is above the arrow head bottom section.

 

[Rico567]

"HuntTheShunt" writes: >(the groove just above the hash marks on the piece shown). is to low.
If by that you mean the groove that is above the arrow head bottom section.

OK, I'm going to borrow the original picture, because these dipstick threads always lead to confusion over what's being discussed. There is a hashmarked section, which basically represents the acceptable range of oil. On either end of the hashmarked section is a groove, which are kind of the MAX and MIN marks.The top of the stick is to the right, so the right hand groove represents MAX and the left hand groove MIN. My oil basically stays right around the right-hand MAX groove. It's very difficult to say how much this stick has been wiped, if at all. It's my impression that it shows a level nearly at MAX.

 

[HuntTheShunt]

"HuntTheShunt" writes: >(the groove just above the hash marks on the piece shown). is to low.
If by that you mean the groove that is above the arrow head bottom section.

OK, I'm going to borrow the original picture, because these dipstick threads always lead to confusion over what's being discussed. There is a hashmarked section, which basically represents the acceptable range of oil. On either end of the hashmarked section is a groove, which are kind of the MAX and MIN marks.The top of the stick is to the right, so the right hand groove represents MAX and the left hand groove MIN. My oil basically stays right around the right-hand MAX groove. It's very difficult to say how much this stick has been wiped, if at all. It's my impression that it shows a level nearly at MAX.

Rico,
The header picture is not the same as my dipstick and that is why I included my picture to enable you guys to advise me. VeeDubTDI supplied the answer.

You seemed indicated a different interpretation because unknown to me you were talking about your dipstick/the thread header dipstick picture.

VeeDubTDI and I are not confused because we are discussing my picture

 

[Rico567]

^^^^
Ah, I see the source of our mutual confusion now. A picture, in some cases, is indeed worth a thousand words.

 

[reilljp]

Full Oil Level When Cold

If the oil level should be checked when the engine is hot, what does full oil look like when the car sits overnight?

 

[reilljp]

For me, the dipstick is easiest to read after sitting overnight. I realize warm oil will expand a little, but I get repeatable/readable measurements this way.

What reading do you get after letting the car sit overnight?