Bart247

Hi Everyone

Audi S8 - 2007 - 5.2L

When I check the oil dipstick when the engine is cold I get a very full oil reading, a touch overfull! When I drive to the gas station, let the car set for a few minutes while filling up, then check the oil, I get a reading at the top of the middle dotted pattern, 3/4 full.

The manual says "at operating temperature, let the car idle for a few minutes, then wait a few minutes before you check the oil." What does that mean? Run the engine till the coolant is temp is 90 (operating temp), then turn off and wait a few minutes, or just turn the engine on for a few minutes?

What's the accurate way of checking oil level on the S8? Cold engine, Short drive, Confusing Instruction Manual?

uberwgn

I've yet to see an Owner's Manual that suggested the oil is checked cold.

If you review your Owner's Manual, you will see that the mfr wants the level checked 5 minutes after a hot shutdown. They suggest while you are fueling the car, for example.

Panelhead

Ithink that oil viscosity has a lot to do with this. The hot oil will run back down the dipstick tube quicker. With cold oil, pulling and wiping off will give a false reading the second time.

mishar

On a leveled surface start the engine, let it idle for a bit (10 seconds is enough), shut it down, wait a bit for oil to settle down (10 seconds is enough) and measure it. Temperature is irrelevant because all expansions are less than accuracy of a dipstick measurement. Whoever thinks that temperature, idling, singing to it is relevant can test it himself.

Oil level difference between overnight settled and just turned off engine comes from oil filter and oil cooler draining back to the pan.