Oil level gauge on Ducato (1 Viewer)

[Diggerdi]

As I'm sure everyone knows, when you first turn on the ignition there are 5 circles at the top of the instrument panel which indicate oil level. Bearing in mind we have a new van, ours is usually on 1 or 2, occasionally 3 and once on 4. I understand it depends on how level the motorhome is and how long the engine has been stopped. I would be interested in knowing what others' experience is of this. The oil warning light has never come on. Thanks everyone.

 

[Munchie]

Not on mine! 2016 Euro 5+

 

[TM59]

Van 3 months old, 2000 miles, on drive not totally level, not started for two days, 1 out of 5 lite. must keep an eye on it.

trevor

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

I would never rely on a level light when there is a dipstick to use.
Just a gimmick that is no more reliable than a fresh or waste tank indicator.
I would be interested to know how the handbook describes checking the oil level.

 

[Lenny HB]

Mine has only done 1700 miles always read 4 bars until last week when it read 3, just checked it gainin reading 4, checked on the dipstick reading ½ way between min & max.

 

[pappajohn]

Waste of time and never accurate no matter how new the vehicle.
Unless you lose the sump bung or oil filter it should never drop below level 4 between services....that's if it burns oil in the first place.

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[Munchie]

Been out twice to mine. Buggered if there are any oil level circles!

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
You cannot beat an old fashioned Oil Sword. Check your oil level when the unit is level and note the mark on the dipstick,on getting home,from a short journey and your parking spot is NOT level,check again.After two or three goes of this,you will be able to get a rough idea of where the "Sloping park" mark is to the dead level,thus giving you a good idea when leaving home if the level is OK.
Metal is not like skin,it cannot mend itself,stay well,stay lucky.
Tea Bag

 

[Madcaravanner]

OK
Our 2007 Ducato 3 litre switch on all circles lit
irrespective of level

Dip stick reads just under max van isn't level so not accurate
as for electronics accuracy it ought to be 100% accurate but never is and doesn't seem to be getting any better over the years

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[Camping Gaza]

4 or 5 depending on slope. Dipstick (oil sword WTF???? I've heard or a pork sword!) reads normal which is the best way

 

[The Nomad]

Remember never never never to overfill with engine oil. You can cause very serious engine damage

The "Max"line ion the dipstick is exactly that; it's not a target to try to fill to.
Aim to only ever fill to a little below the "Max" mark.

 

[peterc10]

Our 2016 Ducato has a proper oil guage (with 5 bars) that comes on when I switch on the ignition. Seems accurate when compared with the dipstick so I use that now. Done over 15,000 miles so far and still not had to put any oil in.

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[RidersofRohan]

Anything from one to five circles, usually just ignore it as inaccurate. Before every trip I use the dip stick, and if on a long trip also mid trip. I also carry top up oil but have not needed it yet.

 

[Tea Bag]

4 or 5 depending on slope. Dipstick (oil sword WTF???? I've heard or a pork sword!) reads normal which is the best way

Hi. Camping Gaza
You have been leading a very sheltered life.
"Oil Sword"..An old fashioned Dipstick...Like me... OLD!!! that is
Tea Bag

 

[Bill_OR]

My Volvo V70 doesn't have a dipstick at all. All it has is an oil level indicator on the instrument display - but the way to see the oil level display is quite complicated and I often have to read the manual to work out how to do it - and just to make it more complicated there isn't a physical manual - instead I have to call up a digital version on the central display screen!
That's progress!

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[Camping Gaza]

Hi. Camping Gaza
You have been leading a very sheltered life.
"Oil Sword"..An old fashioned Dipstick...Like me... OLD!!! that is
Tea Bag

Just be careful of lipstick on the old dipstick around her indoors!

 

[Bognor Saint]

I usually get the oil level circles when switching on ignition but sometimes this doesn't happen. Using the dipstick it's usually hard to read as there seems to be no clear level line, smears on the marks going upwards. Never had a problem dipping before

 

[Guigsy]

Mine was consistently on 3 dots on level ground. When parked overnight on the in-laws steep drive, nose down, I got a low oil warning on startup.

Had it serviced a few months ago and it's now on 5 dots every time.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

I think the Ducato manual refers to the graduated circle display as, 4-5 being oil level, as read by the electric gauge. The others 1-3 circles are various checks. I got fed up with the vague readings on the dipstick, and finally took a hacksaw to it, making a series of cross hatchings on one face, and 1- to- 5 equal markings on the other to give a scale. So one mark under max relates to 200ml of oil to bring back to max. It seems to work O.K. so I don't often look at the display, instead choosing to check the oil level physically.
Mike.

 

[pagey]

Mine always on 4 or 5 depending what side of the drive its on mines got a dip stick but when you have just done an oil change the oil is so clean you can't see it

 

[philann]

I thought it had something to do with oil quality

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[Guigsy]

I thought diesel engines ran for about 10 minutes before the oil was black again, no?

 

[WESTY66]

Do all Fiat motors have these oil level
Indicators? Can’t say I’ve noticed them, all ways dip it and run off that!!
I’ll have a look for the indicators tomorrow when I pick up the van from the dealers

 

[maison]

Our 2021 FIAT m/h has a bar oil level indicator.

After the first 1500 miles where the level dropped back one bar it has remained on 5 bars ever since. Now on 19,810 miles.

Now, if only it used less AdBlu!

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[Kev and Carolyn]

Do all Fiat motors have these oil level
Indicators? Can’t say I’ve noticed them, all ways dip it and run off that!!
I’ll have a look for the indicators tomorrow when I pick up the van from the dealers

Turn the ignition on and watch the dash...dont fire it up! It should show bars or circles dependant on age. This is the oil level.

Kev

 

[WESTY66]

Turn the ignition on and watch the dash...dont fire it up! It should show bars or circles dependant on age. This is the oil level.

Kev

Cheers Kev, I’ve never noticed that before, 5 years of having a motorhome

 

[WESTY66]

Cheers Kev, I’ve never noticed that before, 5 years of having a motorhome

Picked the van up from the dealers today and 5 bars
Every day is a school day

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[jwells]

On our new Ducato it doesn't appear to have a dipstickunsure Have found the filler but still not located any way of checking the contents - no manual supplied, electronic or manual!!

 

[3crispies]

On our new Ducato it doesn't appear to have a dipstickunsure Have found the filler but still not located any way of checking the contents - no manual supplied, electronic or manual!!

If digital dash scroll through its on with ad blue, oil temp etc. Do you know what oil though !

 

[Lenny HB]

Cheers Kev, I’ve never noticed that before, 5 years of having a motorhome

Should you be driving with eyesite like that son?

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