Dipping the oil, what is the correct level?

[Ginger.Tog]

Good Morning

We have a 2020 Fiat Ducato 140 PS 2.3 L Euro 6 chassis "Hymer Free 600", when I turn on the key it says "Check Oil" for a few seconds. Not sure if that's the vehicle doing a self check or I need to do it. Anyways, I pulled out the dipstick and this is the reading "See image below". There are no marking's on either side showing maximum / minimum so I'm guessing centre of the narrow bit is the correct level?

This is after 16,000 km.

Checked the service book but it's all in German! Doh. To be honest I found nothing showing the dipstick levels anyways..

All the same, I've ordered some Oil - SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2 - Hopefully that's the correct one.

 

[Figaro]

To be honest I found nothing showing the dipstick levels anyways

Is that no oil at all on the dipstick ?
It looks like there are notches on the dipstick so I wound think the levels should be between the notches.
One problem with modern thin oil is it leaves very little visible on the dipstick so you have to look carefully.

 

[Spriddler]

I guess the Max and Min are the top and bottom of the narrow section.
The oil in your pic is at the Minimum which is why you have the 'Check oil' warning.

 

[tonka]

My understanding is that the notch is the level measure, so your oil should be in that space.
On your picture it looks to be at its lowest.

I am unsure on the "check oil" at startup. Mine has always done it since we bought it 2 years ago. The oil level is fine.
If it was a warning you would get some orange or even red warnings come up.

 

[Coolcats]

There is nothing more pragmatic than checking your oil with the dip stick occasionally and good practice, and yes it looks like you need to top that engine oil up

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[Stealaway]

You need about a litre of I'll in it. Its not unusual to use a bit of I'll when the engine is new. I use 5/30 in mine.... 0/30 is overkill in my opinion.

 

[Coolcats]

You need about a litre of I'll in it. Its not unusual to use a bit of I'll when the engine is new. I use 5/30 in mine.... 0/30 is overkill in my opinion.

I guess two things it would be desirable to top up the engine with the same grade of oil that the manufacturer put in and would suggest that the same when changing the oil these manufactures and oil companies work together to provide optimum life of the engine from what they have observed from thier R&D this is the Fiat link https://www.fiat.co.uk/mopar/original-parts/oils-and-functional-fluids/selenia-engine-oil

Having said this people are entitled to thier own opinions and can put whatever they like in to their engine

 

[KUSKUS]

I was advised not to fill to the top marker as with modern engines the level can rise due to DPF.

 

[Ginger.Tog]

Is that no oil at all on the dipstick ?
It looks like there are notches on the dipstick so I wound think the levels should be between the notches.
One problem with modern thin oil is it leaves very little visible on the dipstick so you have to look carefully.

Oil is on the lower part, finishing at the first notch.

I guess the Max and Min are the top and bottom of the narrow section.
The oil in your pic is at the Minimum which is why you have the 'Check oil' warning.

Make sense..

My understanding is that the notch is the level measure, so your oil should be in that space.
On your picture it looks to be at its lowest.

I am unsure on the "check oil" at startup. Mine has always done it since we bought it 2 years ago. The oil level is fine.
If it was a warning you would get some orange or even red warnings come up.

That makes sense too - I'll top it up and see if the message disappears..

 

[Lenny HB]

Looks like it is on minimum, fill it to about 3/4 of the way up the notch, Euro 6 engines don't like being filled right up. Also make sure the van is absolutely level when checking. The Euro 6 engines can burn a fair bit of oil a litre in 8000 miles is quite common.

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[Ginger.Tog]

Looks like it is on minimum, fill it to about 3/4 of the way up the notch, Euro 6 engines don't like being filled right up. Also make sure the van is absolutely level when checking. The Euro 6 engines can burn a fair bit of oil a litre in 8000 miles is quite common.

Ok, thank you for that information. I've ordered 2 litres of the following.

SAE 0W-30 ACEA C2

 

[Vipar]

That’s a great oil, your chips will come out nice and brown

 

[Sixty-nine Chevy]

Agreed, looks like you are on minimum oil and need to top up. This assumes that you are parked on the level. Being a bit off level could complicate matters, but I'm not show of the effects of 'leaning' different ways.

 

[Grummyb]

Agreed, looks like you are on minimum oil and need to top up. This assumes that you are parked on the level. Being a bit off level could complicate matters, but I'm not show of the effects of 'leaning' different ways.

And also assuming you hadn't just switched the engine off and then pulled the stick straight out

 

[Ginger.Tog]

That’s a great oil, your chips will come out nice and brown

Don't think the wife will allow me to add a spoonful to the actifryer!

Agreed, looks like you are on minimum oil and need to top up. This assumes that you are parked on the level. Being a bit off level could complicate matters, but I'm not show of the effects of 'leaning' different ways.

Yep, parked on the level!

And also assuming you hadn't just switched the engine off and then pulled the stick straight out

Dipped it this morning, engine was last on yesterday. But I'm happy with the advice given here, 2l of oil on route!

Thank you guys!

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[donkey]

On my 2009 Peugeot Boxer, when I first turn the ignition on, it displays five empty boxes in a row and the word OIL underneath.
There is no explanation in the driver's handbook. So I have always relied on the dipstick.
The dipstick is a right pain, as the first time it is withdrawn it is covered in oil up the stick. There is obviously oil hanging around in the tube. If I try to quick for a level it just comes out in an oily mess. Best is to remove stick, get on with something else, then go back and take reading.
You would not think something so simple could be so complicated.

Geoff

 

[Spriddler]

The dipstick is a right pain, as the first time it is withdrawn it is covered in oil up the stick. There is obviously oil hanging around in the tube. If I try to quick for a level it just comes out in an oily mess. Best is to remove stick, get on with something else, then go back and take reading.
You would not think something so simple could be so complicated.

Geoff

I withdraw the dipstick through a clump of kitchen roll so that it comes out clean. You have to wipe it anyway before replacing it to take a reading.
(I've not had any significant prob with oil remaining in the d/stick tube so maybe some vehicles are worse for that than others).