Electronic Oil Level "Gauge"
Discussion
What's the point of these things? They never give the same reading - on my 996 I'm getting "full" through to "halfway between the marks" with the engine fully warmed and then left for a while. The dipstick, on the other hand shows "halfway between the marks" consistently under the same conditions... (Quite pleasing as it's done 3,000 miles from "full")
So, as far as I can see, the electronic display tells you "you might want to check your oil"? Duh! I do that anyway...
So, as far as I can see, the electronic display tells you "you might want to check your oil"? Duh! I do that anyway...
Totally agree. I think Porsche scored a home goal by providing a reliable "Analogue" dipstick and an untrustworthy digital one that gives a different reading every time.
Of course, on later models they removed the reliable dipstick and opted for the digital version only. It makes me wonder how many cars have been under or over filled on the strength of what the kak display indicates ????? (And furthermore, how many engines might have been damaged as a result!)
Why make checking your oil level so hit and miss?
Or is it that Porsche think their customers are incapable of opening the bonnet to check the oil?
Of course, on later models they removed the reliable dipstick and opted for the digital version only. It makes me wonder how many cars have been under or over filled on the strength of what the kak display indicates ????? (And furthermore, how many engines might have been damaged as a result!)
Why make checking your oil level so hit and miss?
Or is it that Porsche think their customers are incapable of opening the bonnet to check the oil?
Pugley said:
Or is it that Porsche think their customers are incapable of opening the bonnet to check the oil?
Most car owners are incapable or can't be bothered to check their oil. Porsche owners are no different. How many people do you see with their bonnets up at petrol stations? Or even checking tyre pressures?I know of 2 people that have seized their engines this way and blamed the car!
namyacs said:
But which has the correct calibration, so which is right, dipstick or the electronic dipstick?
Neither. Until their accuracy is confirmed.The oil change procedure is to give the engine oil a timed drain -- for the 996 engine I think it is 20 minutes (for the DFI engines one hour) and there is even an overnight drain time -- from a hot temp (>70C) and then add a specific amount of oil.
The amount of oil added depends upon the drain time and the engine. The amount of oil is tied to the VIN is what I've been told.
Once a *known* amount of oil is in the engine then the dipstick can be read to confirm the dipstick reports the correct oil level and then the e-level oil system used to confirm it also reports the correct level. The oil change procedure documentation I have says that for instance my Turbo after adding 7.8l of oil the oil level should be at the max line but not above it or below it.
Edit: Just to be clear my 996 Turbo does *not* have a dipstick. It has only the e-Level system. My 02 Boxster has both the e-Level and dipstick.
Edited by Rockster on Monday 12th November 16:30
mollytherocker said:
I know of 2 people that have seized their engines this way and blamed the car!
Frankly I find that hard to believe. One reason being that a decent engine wouldn't use enough oil between changes to result in a seizure in the first place. If those failures actually happened there were probably other more plausible reasons.
If the conditions under which the electronic gauge is read are consistent, same temp, level parking etc, they are fine.
Not only are they fine on Porsches, but the myriad of other makes using them these days too.
REALIST123 said:
Frankly I find that hard to believe. One reason being that a decent engine wouldn't use enough oil between changes to result in a seizure in the first place.
If those failures actually happened there were probably other more plausible reasons.
If the conditions under which the electronic gauge is read are consistent, same temp, level parking etc, they are fine.
Not only are they fine on Porsches, but the myriad of other makes using them these days too.
To be clear, neither were Porsches. If those failures actually happened there were probably other more plausible reasons.
If the conditions under which the electronic gauge is read are consistent, same temp, level parking etc, they are fine.
Not only are they fine on Porsches, but the myriad of other makes using them these days too.
REALIST123 said:
Frankly I find that hard to believe. One reason being that a decent engine wouldn't use enough oil between changes to result in a seizure in the first place.
If those failures actually happened there were probably other more plausible reasons.
If the conditions under which the electronic gauge is read are consistent, same temp, level parking etc, they are fine.
Not only are they fine on Porsches, but the myriad of other makes using them these days too.
It is not unknown to come across a post by an owner who is asking what the flashing oil level display means and to then learn the owner has never checked the oil level in thousands of miles.If those failures actually happened there were probably other more plausible reasons.
If the conditions under which the electronic gauge is read are consistent, same temp, level parking etc, they are fine.
Not only are they fine on Porsches, but the myriad of other makes using them these days too.
And some owners who ought to know better use the flashing display as a sign it is time to add oil.
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