How to check oil

[Paul.]

How can I check the oil level on my new Ducato, I can't find a dipstick.

 

[Reallyretired]

It may not have one
My last Mercedes didn't, just popped up a message if it needed any.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I haven't used a dipstick to check oil level for years

 

[Burgo]

Rtfm?

 

[donkey]

Have you looked in the vehicle manual?

Geoff

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[rosalan]

I don't think it should be in there!

 

[Paul.]

Rtfm?

Thanks for your response, most enlightening

 

[Offagaingr8]

I guess you have the digital dash, scroll through the settings and it shows oil level, same with the add blue.

 

[Badknee]

I have the display on the dash as well as a dipstick but I think they are phasing them out. No point in having both I suppose.

 

[VXman]

Is it the new model with the digital dash and the 2.2 engine? If it is it probably doesn't have one. My 2021 model does and it's fairly obvious where it is.

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[VXman]

I have the display on the dash as well as a dipstick but I think they are phasing them out. No point in having both I suppose.

Except my dash constantly tells me I am low on oil but my dip stick tells me it's fine. I believe the dip stick.

 

[rod_vw]

Phasing out dipsticks, craziest idea ever!

Electronics fail and if they do in this instance it could be engine failure. A dipstick never will!!

However so many owners nowadays don't know how to open the bonnet let alone how to check the oil level.

 

[dash300]

Is it the new model with the digital dash and the 2.2 engine? If it is it probably doesn't have one. My 2021 model does and it's fairly obvious where it is.

Correct, it doesn't. I'd prefer a dipstick as a backup for elecrical warnings for everything, fuel, washer fluid, adblue as well as engine oil, dipsticks don't go wrong!

 

[These Big Adventures]

How can I check the oil level on my new Ducato, I can't find a dipstick.

It's on the dash, use left hand buttons on steering wheel to scroll through options

 

[Fdhadi]

Our Bmw went into main dealership for a service. Got a call from a girl on the service desk.
Your car needs front brake pads, if you don’t get them changed now you will have to sign a declaration to say you’ve taken the vehicle away in a dangerous state.

That’s strange I replied, I checked on the idrive before it went in and it showed 18k left on front pads.
Her reply was that these sensors aren’t that reliable.

That worries me I said, 18k is a long way out, the oil is checked by one of these sensors so the reading could be miles out because there’s no dipstick to check it properly. Different sensor she said. I would hope so I said. Strange really, because the box to say they had checked the spare tyre pressure had also been ticked, but a bit like the dipstick, it doesn’t have one

Took the car, didn’t sign anything, local garage who we use for our other vehicles checked and said, if your not planning to drive around the world in the next 6 months, the pads are fine.

Never been back to “Williams BMW in Bolton” since.

The manager did try to contact me when I scored them a great big 0 in their survey, but I couldn’t be bothered speaking to him. What would he have done, offered me a free “tick box service”.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Except my dash constantly tells me I am low on oil but my dip stick tells me it's fine. I believe the dip stick.

I don't think the five dots on the information cluster indicate a current oil level. I think it's more a series of checks the ECU runs through. The number of illuminated dots change without any oil being added, or removed. I once parked at quite an off camber angle and a "low oil level " written warning flashed up in the information box when I turned the ignition key on, though I knew that to be incorrect, and after levelling out the van, this was confirmed on the dipstick. This is what I have found.
Mike.

 

[Capri Keith]

If there is no dip stick, how do you know when you have put enough oil in to top up. To much oil in an engine can just as bad for the engine.

 

[chatteris]

had a rangerover sport in workshop last year sensor said oil full engine completely trashed through lack of oil at 39000 miles, cost owner a few thousand for a secondhand engine and fitting before he could sell it on

 

[Burgo]

. I once parked at quite an off camber angle and a "low oil level " written warning flashed up in the information box when I turned the ignition key on, though I knew that to be incorrect, and after levelling out the van, this was confirmed on the dipstick

Because if you're on a slope the oil will be lying along one side / end of the sump, so you'll get a false level reading. That's why the manual tells you to be on flat and level ground.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Because if you're on a slope the oil will be lying along one side / end of the sump, so you'll get a false level reading. That's why the manual tells you to be on flat and level ground.

Thank you, yes I realised that I have been to a few rodeos before. I was citing an example of how misleading the gauge can potentially be.
Mike.

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[Badknee]

Except my dash constantly tells me I am low on oil but my dip stick tells me it's fine. I believe the dip stick.

I agree.

 

[Brains]

It may not have one
My last Mercedes didn't, just popped up a message if it needed any.

My 2018 van is a Mercedes Sprinter base.
It still has a (difficult to find) dipstick.
It takes 20 litres for an oil change !

 

[Paul.]

I have found the oil level reading on the digital display. Thanks for your input. I must say that I still prefer to have a dipstick. Paul

 

[LesW]

My wife has a MINI, and was told by the dealer to always check via the dipstick, even went as far as saying if the warning light comes on, it may be too late.

 

[rod_vw]

My 2018 van is a Mercedes Sprinter base.
It still has a (difficult to find) dipstick.
It takes 20 litres for an oil change !

That sounded too much to me so I Googled 2018 MB Sprinter and found various engine sizes but they were all quoted at between 12 & 13 litres. Has some garage been taking you for a ride?

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[rod_vw]

Our Bmw went into main dealership for a service. Got a call from a girl on the service desk.
Your car needs front brake pads, if you don’t get them changed now you will have to sign a declaration to say you’ve taken the vehicle away in a dangerous state.

That’s strange I replied, I checked on the idrive before it went in and it showed 18k left on front pads.
Her reply was that these sensors aren’t that reliable.

That worries me I said, 18k is a long way out, the oil is checked by one of these sensors so the reading could be miles out because there’s no dipstick to check it properly. Different sensor she said. I would hope so I said. Strange really, because the box to say they had checked the spare tyre pressure had also been ticked, but a bit like the dipstick, it doesn’t have one

Took the car, didn’t sign anything, local garage who we use for our other vehicles checked and said, if your not planning to drive around the world in the next 6 months, the pads are fine.

Never been back to “Williams BMW in Bolton” since.

The manager did try to contact me when I scored them a great big 0 in their survey, but I couldn’t be bothered speaking to him. What would he have done, offered me a free “tick box service”.

Standard garage practice, tell the customer the vehicle needs brake pads & discs. Most customers don't know how to or don't have the facilities to check for themselves so end up believing the garage!

My VW T6 has done over 73k and still has original front pads & discs, the rear pads were changed by me but found not to be necessary just a poor assessment of them without taking anything apart. Not worth re-fitting the old ones once I'd dismantled it.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

That sounded too much to me so I Googled 2018 MB Sprinter and found various engine sizes but they were all quoted at between 12 & 13 litres. Has some garage been taking you for a ride?

My thoughts as well, you beat me to it.
Mike

 

[Brains]

That sounded too much to me so I Googled 2018 MB Sprinter and found various engine sizes but they were all quoted at between 12 & 13 litres. Has some garage been taking you for a ride?

OK just looked at the invoice.
He put in 10 litres.

Garage was doing the 'Service A' on 2 x Mercedes Hymer MLT's side by side
His 20 litre container was empty

I now see why he put in only 10 litres.
Apparently you should never fill a Sprinter up with oil all the way to the top of the dipstick, as the oil expands and then blows out as black smoke.
Half full on the dipstick is 'full'

 

[Badknee]

My wife has a MINI, and was told by the dealer to always check via the dipstick, even went as far as saying if the warning light comes on, it may be too late.

I’ve always been under that impression too. It used to be brought on by lack of oil pressure ‘cos there wasn’t any oil left to pressurise. must be about the level now as the display works without the engine running.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Apparently you should never fill a Sprinter up with oil all the way to the top of the dipstick, as the oil expands and then blows out as black smoke.
Half full on the dipstick is 'full'

I find that odd as if it should be half way up the marks surely they would make the stick marks in a different place

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