Checking Oil Level on a V12VS

[CSK1]

When I bought my car, my dealer told me to follow this procedure to check the oil level on my car: start the engine when cold, let it run at 2,000 RPM for about 15 seconds, turn ignition off, check oil level.
I have been doing this but I don't think it mentions this procedure in the owner's guide. I thought this procedure was only for dry-sumped cars so the V8V and not the V12 as it is wet-sumped.
Any ideas, V12V/V12VS owners: how do you check your car's oil level?
Do you have to top up often (I haven't since I bought the car last month and about a 1,000 miles which includes a trip across France).

[hashluck]

Iam not going outside to get it and give you the page number but the procedure is definitely in the owner manual of my V8S

You are supposed to wipe the dipstick clean first (before starting the engine) and then I think wait 30 seconds after switching the engine off (but that is from memory).

[IanV12VR]

CSK - your dealer is right and there is no mention of it in the V12 manual. Strange but true!

[CSK1]

Thanks Hashluck and Ian. I thought the procedure would be different for the dry-sumped V8 and wet-sumped V12 but apparently it is the same. Strange indeed there's no mention of it in the owner's guide.
Ian, what is your oil consumption like?

[Phil74891]

I've only ever checked mine cold (as per the manual I think). After a 3,000 mile European trip it had used about 0.5 litre.

[JBaps]

As with any other wet sumped car I've owned, I've always checked mine when cold. I think there's a risk of overfilling if you check too soon after running.

Mine definitely consumed oil in the first 3000 miles, but consumption has tailed of significantly since… not that I'm getting out much in it these days.

Edited by JBaps on Sunday 22 November 13:43

[CSK1]

Thanks. Yes indeed my dealer also told me to check oil level when the engine is cold but he also said you need to rev the engine from cold at a constant 2,000 RPM for about 15 seconds, turn off ignition and then check oil level (the engine will still be cold).

[IanV12VR]

CSK1 said:

Thanks Hashluck and Ian. I thought the procedure would be different for the dry-sumped V8 and wet-sumped V12 but apparently it is the same. Strange indeed there's no mention of it in the owner's guide.
Ian, what is your oil consumption like?

CSK - I have used about a litre in 4K miles.

[alscar]

Checking the oil level on the V8S was a pita due to that dry sump procedure so I was happy to learn that on the V12S you are supposed to check from cold by simply using the dipstick without starting at all.
No oil usage in 3000 miles.

[Jon39]

When I read your opening remarks, I thought like you, that the dealer was giving the instructions for a dry sump V8.

If running the engine before checking is also needed for a V12 wet sump, logic would indicate a lower oil level reading than we are used to with that type of engine. At the moment of reading, following running the engine, some oil would be in the upper parts of the engine, so would not be included in the dipstick reading.

If starting the engine is required, you would think adjusting the marks on the dipstick, would save customers having the bother of starting.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

You never check a wet sump motor immediately after running it since it will give you a false low reading. Sounds like the dealer is 'confused'.

[agaton12]

My owner's guide (2015 v12vs p10.9) specifically states:
-check when completely cold.
-if you top up, wait at least 2 minutes for the oil to settle.

[CSK1]

As Ian said, the advised procedure is not mentioned in the owner's guide.

[quench]

Your dealer is confused, and as stated above is giving you the procedure for the dry sumped V8 engines. This procedure is not in the V12 manuals because it is not for the wet sumped V12s.

[IanV12VR]

quench said:

Your dealer is confused, and as stated above is giving you the procedure for the dry sumped V8 engines. This procedure is not in the V12 manuals because it is not for the wet sumped V12s.

The oil checking procedure is different for the V12V compared with the V12VS. The procedure as described by CSK is correct for the S but is not included in the early manuals for the cars. It may have been corrected for later cars.

I have had it confirmed by People at Gaydon when I asked them to confirm because I was confused over the change. I have both versions so important to understand that I need to check the oil correctly

[cayman-black]

CSK1 said:

Thanks. Yes indeed my dealer also told me to check oil level when the engine is cold but he also said you need to rev the engine from cold at a constant 2,000 RPM for about 15 seconds, turn off ignition and then check oil level (the engine will still be cold).

So Ian for the V12VS this is the correct way then ?
Seems strange but if thats the way thats it.

[IanV12VR]

cayman-black said:

CSK1 said:

Thanks. Yes indeed my dealer also told me to check oil level when the engine is cold but he also said you need to rev the engine from cold at a constant 2,000 RPM for about 15 seconds, turn off ignition and then check oil level (the engine will still be cold).

So Ian for the V12VS this is the correct way then ?
Seems strange but if thats the way thats it.

Yep, I found out when I checked the oil at about 750 miles, the same way as I do on the V12VR, to find it very low on the S and spoke to Chris at Grange. He gave me the correct procedure and gave me me a photocopy of the correct instructions for future use. Very luckily I hadn't topped the oil up

[SFO]

IanV12VR said:

cayman-black said:

CSK1 said:

Thanks. Yes indeed my dealer also told me to check oil level when the engine is cold but he also said you need to rev the engine from cold at a constant 2,000 RPM for about 15 seconds, turn off ignition and then check oil level (the engine will still be cold).

So Ian for the V12VS this is the correct way then ?
Seems strange but if thats the way thats it.

Yep, I found out when I checked the oil at about 750 miles, the same way as I do on the V12VR, to find it very low on the S and spoke to Chris at Grange. He gave me the correct procedure and gave me me a photocopy of the correct instructions for future use. Very luckily I hadn't topped the oil up

wonder what the reason is for different procedures re V12 and V12S .. same engine mostly. Bosch ECU for V12S being the "issue"?

[CSK1]

Hi Ian, thanks for the useful info. Could you scan and pm me a copy of your procedure you received on paper please? Thanks.

[IanV12VR]

CSK1 said:

Hi Ian, thanks for the useful info. Could you scan and pm me a copy of your procedure you received on paper please? Thanks.

Sorry CSK once I had got used to doing it that way I put it in a safe place!!!!!!!! No idea where it is now.

I remember it being very brief and just as you originally described.