Dipstick disparity on V8 Vantage models

[TheHound]

I have a 2009 V8 Vantage roadster. My manual says that between the min and max lines on the dipstick is 2 litres. Other people, however, have manuals that state 1 litre. Some of these people have later cars than mine, and some earlier, which makes it even more confusing.

My manual also gives a conversion in pints, which makes a misprint seem unlikely, plus I called Aston, gave them the VIN and they corroborated the figure in their copy of the appropriate manual.

Does anyone know why this disparity exists, and why it may have gone from 1 to 2 and back to 1 again over the years? I have seen it touched on briefly on here in threads but not really bottomed out.

[Handyman2009]

it is 2 liter between the lines on a V8 Vantage, I also have a 2009

[LTP]

My 2015MY Vantage Owner's Guide says 1 litre (2 pints) between min and max.

[BlackV8]

I had my 2007 V8V 4.3L Sportshift close to minimum on the stick (after the 20sec. 2000RPM and wait 30sec. before checking level procedure). Manual says 2 Liter between Min. and Max. Interestingly that after adding 3/4 Litre oil the stick tells me a few milimeters before Max. Oil check procedure again and the stick shows close to Max. That said, if I had mine exact on Min. oil and adding 1 Liter oil, it would be right on Max. Conclusion, between Min. and Max. oil is 1 Liter on my 4.3L

Hope that helped …

[Dewi 2]

I am wondering whether it is important to know the exact quantity.

My own car has never yet required an oil top up between services. However, if it did require a top up, I would add a modest quantity and check the level after topping up, then add a little more if required and check again.

[TheHound]

BlackV8 said:

I had my 2007 V8V 4.3L Sportshift close to minimum on the stick (after the 20sec. 2000RPM and wait 30sec. before checking level procedure). Manual says 2 Liter between Min. and Max. Interestingly that after adding 3/4 Litre oil the stick tells me a few milimeters before Max. Oil check procedure again and the stick shows close to Max. That said, if I had mine exact on Min. oil and adding 1 Liter oil, it would be right on Max. Conclusion, between Min. and Max. oil is 1 Liter on my 4.3L

Hope that helped …

Very interesting, thank you. Suggests I am right to be circumspect.

Dewi 2 said:

I am wondering whether it is important to know the exact quantity.

My own car has never yet required an oil top up between services. However, if it did require a top up, I would add a modest quantity and check the level after topping up, then add a little more if required and check again.

It's not essential, but certainly aids in topping up. However, I partly agree in that it would make sense in any case to do small amounts and re-check each time.