This will be self evident to most of you, but I think its worth while reinforcing a point about checking the oil only when the car is on level ground.

Unfortunately my wife's 1.2 TSi is one of those TSi's that drinks oil so I have to check the level for her very regularly. Today whilst checking the level I did a little experiment.

Our drive has a very slight slope - and I mean very slight. Just sufficient for the car to roll backwards very very slowly when you release the handbrake. Its normally parked facing up the "slope".

If I check the oil whilst parked on the drive the level on the dipstick indicates that it is at the minimum. But if I let it slowly roll into the road (I live in a cul de sac so don't try this at home!) and then measure again its at the max level.

I know that you should always check the oil when the car is level, but the wide difference in readings surprised me. I think it is a combination of the modern trend for very small sump capacities (3.6 litres only on the TSi including the oil filter) and the dipstick being located right at the front of the engine/sump which can exaggerate the effect of any slope.

So today's lesson is always measure the oil only when the car is completely on the level.

Edited 24 November, 201015 yr by Minimoke

Totally agree - think and measure very carefully before topping up as over filling is also potentially damaging.

Also the engine should be warm but switched off and stood for at least 5 mins to allow oil to have drain into the sump before checking.

Always wipe the dipstick and take a new reading, don't just rely on the level shown when you first remove the dipstick, this often shows quite a different level.