oil choice

[hendy]

The oil warning triggered on my 996 C4S this morning. It has only been 3k miles since my last major service.

Would you recommend topping it up, or going for a full oil change? If so, does this mean filter change too?


It hasn't been serviced at OPCs, just specialists, so was considering just getting it changed at my local garage. Does anyone see a problem with this?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations as to which oil to use? Previously used Mobil 1 on the Boxster, do you think this would do?

[Fidgits]

have you been checking the levels since your last service?

[hendy]

I haven't I am afriad. The car was supposedly serviced when I bought it. And the first I noticed was when the warning came on. I checked the level and it's at the bottom of the normal range

[Fidgits]

doesnt it have the digital oil check at startup?

I ask because the oil warning light could be just because its used oil over the last 3k and needs topping up, or something a lot more serious...

[hendy]

yes, it does have the check, and it's been ok. It has only recently warned me that it has fallen low.

[Fidgits]

hendy said:

yes, it does have the check, and it's been ok. It has only recently warned me that it has fallen low.

okay - my question is did it gradually start to drop, or all of a sudden?

I'd probably get some Mobil 1 and top it up - but keep a very close eye on it for the next week.

[hendy]

ok thank you....I will do that. I didn't notice the rate of drop to be honest. I will top it up and monitor it. Thanks for all your help!

[Fidgits]

hendy said:

ok thank you....I will do that. I didn't notice the rate of drop to be honest. I will top it up and monitor it. Thanks for all your help!

my understanding is the configuration of the engine does tend to sip oil anyway, so always worthwhile keeping an eye on it.


and as with any car, you should really do a general maintence check every month/1000 miles anyway - it takes 15 minutes to check the oil, coolant, windscreen washer fluid, brake fluid, tyre pressures etc. and can save you a potentially large bill.

[stealth997]

Fidgits said:

hendy said:

ok thank you....I will do that. I didn't notice the rate of drop to be honest. I will top it up and monitor it. Thanks for all your help!

my understanding is the configuration of the engine does tend to sip oil anyway, so always worthwhile keeping an eye on it.


and as with any car, you should really do a general maintence check every month/1000 miles anyway - it takes 15 minutes to check the oil, coolant, windscreen washer fluid, brake fluid, tyre pressures etc. and can save you a potentially large bill.

First to admit that I'm pretty useless when it comes to car maintenance.
If I notice that the brake fluid is low what sort of brake fluid should I buy to top it up?
Same question goes for coolant.. is there a brand that I should be using?

I'm good on the windscreen washer fluid though
Thanks!

[Fidgits]

stealth997 said:

Fidgits said:

hendy said:

ok thank you....I will do that. I didn't notice the rate of drop to be honest. I will top it up and monitor it. Thanks for all your help!

my understanding is the configuration of the engine does tend to sip oil anyway, so always worthwhile keeping an eye on it.


and as with any car, you should really do a general maintence check every month/1000 miles anyway - it takes 15 minutes to check the oil, coolant, windscreen washer fluid, brake fluid, tyre pressures etc. and can save you a potentially large bill.

First to admit that I'm pretty useless when it comes to car maintenance.
If I notice that the brake fluid is low what sort of brake fluid should I buy to top it up?
Same question goes for coolant.. is there a brand that I should be using?

I'm good on the windscreen washer fluid though
Thanks!

well, the brake fluid should be okay - I think if you lose a lot of that it could be a sign of a problem - I always check it though, as its always a good indicator if there is a problem - a 5 second visual check should be fine, I've never had to top up brake fluid though.

The coolant, in the 996 its a 50/50 mix of water and the specific porsche coolant, I bought a litre from Porsche, apparantly its the same as some of the VAG mix, though again, it shouldnt need much attention on the whole.

[stealth997]

Cheers Fidgits.. I'll take a leaf out of your book and pay a little more attention to these things.
Thanks
Pete

[hendy]

Yes, thanks very much for the advice. Have topped the oil up at lunch and will monitor the other thingsas well as keeping a closer eye on the oil level.

Simon