mrpaddlepop

Thought I'd share this as I wasted quite a bit of $'s on fully synthetic oil.

I decided to go on a weekend roadtrip with the family:
Friday 10pm, after 2 hours into the drive - Got the low/min oil warning light prompting to add 1L of oil (so i followed the MMI instruction)
Got the same warning 1 hour later, dropped in more oil (total 2 L's)
Same warning 30 mins later, topped it up again (total 3 L's)
Same warning 30 mins later, topped it up again (total 4 L's)
Got a scary warning light, saying something like "no oil, stop car immediately" and added 1.5L's (total 5.5L's)
Parked up at a nearby hotel and on the next morning, there was no sign of oil leakage on the floor.

Took it to a garage, and they got a dipstick to check the oil level. It was totally over the max.
- They drained 11.5L's of oil (mechanic said it should be 7-8L's)
- Said that the sensor's faulty...

Now back from the roadtrip, I'm going to invest in an old fashioned oil dipstick 06E115611H

Phoenix1

Had a similar situation yesterday with my 2000 BMW 535 which also does not have a dipstick. After driving three hours to Baltimore, Got a critically low oil light. Drove Immediately to a BMW dealer they told me to put a quart of oil in. Got the same message again was ready to put a second quart in - they came running out and said no no don't do that! They thought it might be a faulty sensor, turned off the car and waited turn back on several times but oil sensor still said low. They warned me not to refill any more oil and drive the three hours back to my dealer in New Jersey. As soon as I got on the highway the oil sensor returned a completely normal oil level!!!

Car is in the shop today to replace the sensor - kind of scary thinking that you could ruin the car by having too much or not enough oil.

Smart move getting a good old-fashioned dipstick- Ideally the car should have both systems as standard.

Hope my new A7 prestige arriving next month doesn't have these issues!

Dave

tenspeed

Amen to that.

Dip sticks don't lie. Trust your sensors but have a back up to verify.

gatorguy7

Exactly what I'm concerned about with not having a dipstick.

jsaks41

I agree with you about the dip stick, but I canted see where one goes in the engine. Want to help.
John Saksa

tenspeed

It's at the front edge of the drivers side cam cover. Sort of a triangular plug is filling the dip stick tube. It's almost in line with the spark plugs.

Gadgeeets

Where do you get a dipstick for the A7
Does the dealer sell it?

snagitseven

An AudiWorld search would reveal:

Part #: 06E115611H - available from the dealer and several online Audi parts resellers.
Here's just one: http://www.audiusaparts.com/parts/in...&siteid=215820

DIY installation instructions:

1) open hood
2) pop off plastic triangular cap from dipstick tube in engine bay
3) insert purchased 3.0T dipstick
4) close hood
As previously reported, the dipstick tube is easily accessible towards the front of the engine bay on the driver's side near the valve cover. Nothing has to be removed for access except the small triangular cover on the end of the tube.

looking@audi

Great idea.

Can the dipstick be permanently kept in the engine.

snagitseven

Yes, so long as it's placed in the dipstick tube.