I've put off broaching this subject for fear of embarassment. The readable bit on the end of my dipstick is black and has a very strange profile with an almost spherical blob at the top end.

The odd thing is that sometimes only one side of the higher part of the dipstick seems to get oil on it. I've repeated the reading, wiping each time and can not get a consistent level. The oil is at least half way up the middle part but the higher part reading is puzzling . Anyone else having this problem? I've read dipsticks for over 40 years without this level of ineptitude.

Edited 19 August, 201015 yr by gregoir

Some buffoon at VAG has obviously decided that a black dipstick would be easier to read. ?????

I completely agree - I usually have about 6 attempts before I satisfy myself that I have a rough idea where the oil level is at

Yep, one of the few irritating features of the car, takes forever to confirm the level.

Whoever thought a black dipstick was a good idea clearly should not have been let out of the asylum.

Is the dipstick black in other vw/audi models or only in skodas ?

Dipstick in my 06 TFSI is made up of braided metal core, it's silver-ish in colour and very easy to read. Strange how it varies between models.

I've put off broaching this subject for fear of embarassment. The readable bit on the end of my dipstick is black and has a very strange profile with an almost spherical blob at the top end.

The odd thing is that sometimes only one side of the higher part of the dipstick seems to get oil on it. I've repeated the reading, wiping each time and can not get a consistent level. The oil is at least half way up the middle part but the higher part reading is puzzling . Anyone else having this problem? I've read dipsticks for over 40 years without this level of ineptitude.

Don't feel embarassed. The disptick arrangement on my PD 2.0 is absolutely diabolical and as others have said I have to take about a dozen readings to satisfy myself there is at least some oil in the sump.

100% dickhead design only beaten by my Triumph motorcycle where you are instructed to take a reading when the engine is hot (???) and the bike is upright. So reading the oil involves my wife sitting on the bike holding it upright off the stand whilst I'm on my hands and knees reading the dipstick. Where do they get these designers from??

Edited 19 August, 201015 yr by Minimoke

I don't understand why this information isn't displayed electronically on the dash. Pretty much everything else is these days.

Seems the people within the VAG group must have a warped sense of humour!

I have a 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 TDI and my dipstick is also black! I never had a problem checking oil levels until this car. I have to check it 4 - 5 times min. before I have an idea.

What a blow to discover my new Octavia VRS (when it eventually arrives - ordered week 23 due week 45?) will have the same stupid piece of equipment. What I would give for a silver metal dipstick

Edited 19 August, 201015 yr by teebee

Seems the people within the VAG group must have a warped sense of humour!

I have a 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 TDI and my dipstick is also black! I never had a problem checking oil levels until this car. I have to check it 4 - 5 times min. before I have an idea.

What a blow to discover my new Octavia VRS (when it eventually arrives - ordered week 23 due week 45?) will have the same stupid piece of equipment. What I would give for a silver metal dipstick

The dipstick 'end' on my PD vRS was black, very useful the way the colour of the oil goes with a diesel NOT!

But on my CR vRS it is grey. Much easier to read!

Product improvement!

My dads Audi A3 is the same. He brings it round to my house to look at the level for him. I think someone has previously suggested buying a second dipstick and painting it white. You could do this to the existing one but you kind of worry about the paint coming off in the engine.

A pain indeed. But does anyone else get the oil on only one side of the dipstick (upper area)? This suggests oil is being dragged up the tube and running back down inside.

Is it not possible to rub it down to the metal with Emery Paper? (assuming it's only painted or coated black)

You can check the level with VCDS (VAGCOM), but there's no substitute for a manual check in fairness. (even if it takes a few attempts :p)

MPM

Is the dipstick black in other vw/audi models or only in skodas ?

The latest MK6 Golf (1,6TDI) has a light gray coloured plastic end to the dipstick . It is much easier to read than the old black metal strip type dipstick . It's certainly taken them long enough to get it right !

A pain indeed. But does anyone else get the oil on only one side of the dipstick (upper area)? This suggests oil is being dragged up the tube and running back down inside.

I experience exactly the same. I think your suspicion about oil being dragged up the tube by the actual dipstick is correct.

I've put off broaching this subject for fear of embarassment. The readable bit on the end of my dipstick is black and has a very strange profile with an almost spherical blob at the top end.

The odd thing is that sometimes only one side of the higher part of the dipstick seems to get oil on it. I've repeated the reading, wiping each time and can not get a consistent level. The oil is at least half way up the middle part but the higher part reading is puzzling . Anyone else having this problem? I've read dipsticks for over 40 years without this level of ineptitude.

Glad you posted this problem as i have the same prob' with a Fiat , I just cannot get a reading as you say one half is up the other down even the garage could not fathom it out, I poured in about a litre which should have brought it up to the correct level only to find its over the top so had to buy a spanner and drain down to level.l

If its any help I tried an experiment today (shows I have too much time on my hands).

Trick seems to be to pull the dipstick (after the engine has been standing for a suitable period) and read it once only. If I put it back and pull it for a second time I get a false reading possibly due to the oild being drawn up the dipstick tube the first time.

I only get this on my PD Octavia. My wifes new Fabia TSI (85) has what I would call an old fashioned type dipstick - ie flattened bottom end with small dimples to assist reading. No problems at all - several readings always give the same result.