Does anyone else get infuriated with the dipstick on the Fabia

Yesterday, before I left Didcot, I decided to check the oil level. Unfortunately I forgot to do it before I started it from being stood overnight.

However I was able to check it about1/2 hour later after loading the car and before starting our journey home.

I found I couldn't get a reliable reading. I knew there was enough oil in, although one side of the stick was only reading minimum, but the other side was reading maximum.

Earlier today I checked it properly before first starting and it was showing full on both sides of the stick. But after cleaning the stick and re-dipping, it was showing minimum on the inside of the bend away from the perpendicular. I find that very frustrating and confusing.

Does anyone else feel the same?

I think you should check the level when the engine is wet, so run it for 10 seconds then stop and then dip

I thought most modern cars now check oil levels on an up to running temp engine

try the oil level on a ford KA, worst thing i have ever had to check,

you had one chance to check it, so it was a case of check it after it had been standing a while (over 2 hours) pull the dipstick out, read it put it back

if you wasn't sure you could not pull it back out to check, as it seems the dip stick dragged the oil up the tube or something as you could never work out where the level was on the next time, unless you left another hour or so

Okay guys, I'll consult the oracle and do the oil level check properly. See if that helps.

Thanks for the help.

try the oil level on a ford KA, worst thing i have ever had to check,

you had one chance to check it, so it was a case of check it after it had been standing a while (over 2 hours) pull the dipstick out, read it put it back

if you wasn't sure you could not pull it back out to check, as it seems the dip stick dragged the oil up the tube or something as you could never work out where the level was on the next time, unless you left another hour or so

Do you not wipe the stick with a rag.

Be thankful you have a dipstick, some BMW & Merc's no longer have one, its electronic. .

Be thankful you have a dipstick, some BMW & Merc's no longer have one, its electronic. .

Seriously? Nice as all this electronic stuff is (and don't get me wrong, I benefit greatly from it), removing the manual backup doesn't seem very clever...

Seriously? Nice as all this electronic stuff is (and don't get me wrong, I benefit greatly from it), removing the manual backup doesn't seem very clever...

My friend's BMW you have to check the oil through the idrive system, however, at the moment the sensor has failed so he has no idea how much oil is in there, as it happens it was only serviced 2 months back so is sure it should be ok. .

Do you not wipe the stick with a rag.

Be thankful you have a dipstick, some BMW & Merc's no longer have one, its electronic. .

yep, and still you can't accurately read the KA, ask sheppygirl

It must be down to basic engine design, my 2000MY VW Passat 2.8 APR with a nice greedy Audi engine can be trusted to give a true level indication if left for a few hours - no wiping needed. My wife's 2003MY VW Polo 1.4 BBY engine will always give a false reading a few hours, a few days or even a few weeks, if the dip stick is not wiped.

try the oil level on a ford KA, worst thing i have ever had to check,

you had one chance to check it, so it was a case of check it after it had been standing a while (over 2 hours) pull the dipstick out, read it put it back

if you wasn't sure you could not pull it back out to check, as it seems the dip stick dragged the oil up the tube or something as you could never work out where the level was on the next time, unless you left another hour or so

I've just bought a KA for my wife. Old one but low mileage. Just changed the oil and could not for the life of me get a reading on the dipstick as it just smears.  Easy on my octavia compared.

Put in 3.25 litres on the KA as i haven't been able to read it properly yet!

Pretty sure dipstick frustration is a age related problem for most men!!!!

 

Seriously? Nice as all this electronic stuff is (and don't get me wrong, I benefit greatly from it), removing the manual backup doesn't seem very clever...

 

No sump plug on lots of newer engines either, oil needs to be vacuum pumped out.