987 oil reading (+clock error)

[Insert_Name_Here]

Hi all,

Apologies if this has been on before, but is there a way of checking the oil manually rather than relying on the dashboard display?

I don't think I can trust mine as it gives different readings all the time, sometimes saying it's too low then a retest says it's fine!

I don't want to overfill it or run out!

I've noticed sometimes that the clock also displays the wrong time at start up (not every time) but then corrects itself after a few metres of driving. Obviously some sort of glitch!

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers

[LarJammer]

The dash is the only way to measure the oil, as you have found out it is not that reliable...
The clock adjusts itself to the correct time, you can try manually adjusting it but it will still auto correct.

[Insert_Name_Here]

Thanks for your reply although I want the time to be correct. So that's not an issue just seemed odd that it was wrong in the first place.

Does anyone have any idea if the inaccuracies of clock and oil gauge could be connected?

[Watch-Collector]

Very doubtful the clock is linked to the GPS/PCM . Oil readings can obviously vary according to how level the road is , How warm the engine is etc. Obvious things I know . How much is it varying ? The full scale or just a couple of notches?

[eybic]

I'm not au fait with Porsche specifically but have you checked your battery? Knackered batteries often cause strange electrical gremlins.

[DJMC]

...and don't forget to pop the rear hatch open when checking the oil.

My dash cam was recording when an OPC tech was explaining to someone how to check the 981 oil properly, and that's what is required, apparently.

[dugsud]

DJMC said:

...and don't forget to pop the rear hatch open when checking the oil.

Can't think what difference that would make....

Wasn't recorded on April 1st was it

[Westy65]

As Cmoose says a completely level surface is required and preferably the same location, eg your drive if it is level. My 987.1 Cayman S regularly gives readings that go up and down and I have learnt not to over-react as did when I first got it. I only top up when the readings consistently give the same reading over a period of time, with time in between for the engine to get totally cold and the oil to settle.

Re the clock I noticed for the first time that mine was doing this but only a couple of months ago, despite having had the car for nearly 2 years. So either it has just started or I didn't notice before which I think is unlikely. Not sure what it means but as I have not found any other issues I have left it.