When is the best time to check the oil level on my fabia vRS, when the engine is warm after running or before i start it in the morning when the engine is cold?:confused:

Cheers:thumbup:

What does the owners manual advise?

You're better off changing the oil when the engine (and oil) is warm, as it's viscosity will be lower.

As for checking it I am not sure whether it matters, but if you do check it when the motor is warm, ensure that it's been stood (switched off) for a short while in order to ensure all the oil has drained back into the sump

The oil should not expand under heat, only change in viscosity.

The level can be checked when cold,

or

After the engine has been run, turn it off for 10mins for the oil to drain back into the sump before checking.

I take it that the 'MAX' mark is at the top of the hatch markings?

I take it that the 'MAX' mark is at the top of the hatch markings?

Yup, unless the car is upside down, then the MAX mark is at the bottom of the hatch markings.

I take it that the 'MAX' mark is at the top of the hatch markings?

I have a mark on my dipstick that's about 3cms ABOVE the hatch markings, dealer said that was the max mark.

3cms? that way up the dipstick.

Top of the hatch is the maximum.

Top of hatch is definitely NOT the max level - from the manual:

"Oil level within range ( [the hatched zone] - you may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be within range © [the bit above the hatched zone] after doing this."

i.e. the top of zone C - the crank - is the MAX level.

Addendum - incidently after the 10,000 mile service the oil level was about 3mm above the crank and after the 20,000 mile service it was at the crank itself.

When is the best time to check the oil level on my fabia vRS, when the engine is warm after running or before i start it in the morning when the engine is cold?

The manual suggests the oil should be warm - after you've "waited a few minutes" following turning the engine off. That said I usually check mine when cold.

The oil should not expand under heat, only change in viscosity.

I thought the laws of Physics meant everything got bigger when heated - so oil does too.:confused:

Addendum - of course the engine will also expand so the potential oil level variation will be minimised as a consequence...

What does the owners manual advise?

You're better off changing the oil when the engine (and oil) is warm' date=' as it's viscosity will be lower.

As for checking it I am not sure whether it matters, but if you do check it when the motor is warm, ensure that it's been stood (switched off) for a short while in order to ensure all the oil has drained back into the sump [/quote']

sound advice from my boy!!

Ah well

I thought the laws of Physics meant everything got bigger when heated - so oil does too.:confused:

What about water? That expands as it gets colder... :P

What about water? That expands as it gets colder... :P

It also expands as you heat it. It does contract like any other liquid until 4degrees C then it starts to expand.

What about water? That expands as it gets colder... :P

but it also expands as it get warmer aswell....

What about water? That expands as it gets colder... :P

You're right to an extent but you might not realise that extent.

I'm right in the general context - even water expands when it's heated from room temperature.

Yes, water expands when it turns to ice, but critically it also expands when it goes below 4 degC.

"Water has a unique property. As the temperature decreases to 40

When is the best time to check the oil level on my fabia vRS, when the engine is warm after running or before i start it in the morning when the engine is cold?

Sorry - forgot to say - even if it does seem rather obvious - make sure the car's level when you check the oil. My drive slopes slightly when I park in the usual place, and the space I usually park in at the office slopes even more. So I have to park differently when I'm planning to check the oil...

It also expands as you heat it. It does contract like any other liquid until 4degrees C then it starts to expand.

You beat me to it!

You're right to an extent but you might not realise that extent.

I'm right in the general context - even water expands when it's heated from room temperature.

Yes' date=' water expands when it turns to ice, but critically it also expands when it goes below 4 degC.[/color']

"Water has a unique property. As the temperature decreases to 40

It also expands as you heat it. It does contract like any other liquid until 4degrees C then it starts to expand.

Water is stange stuff. It does contract as it is warmed from zero to 4 deg C but nearly every other liquid does expand in this range.

how has this thread gone from oil level checking to the physical propeties of water both hot and cold ?