Hi all, just bought a 1.0 Kamiq and find it strange that the Kamiq engine oil dipstick is black plastic and not steel like other cars that i have had.

I find it difficult to see where the actual oil level is when checking it.

Does anyone know if you can get a steel dipstick or do any other vehicles in the VAG Group use the same dipstick but in steel ?.

I think that that will be as good as it gets, been that way for a while, a bit annoying needing to get the dip stick to a bright light to be able to find out what the level is.

Should be able to use a bit of tissue to identify where the level is.

What's the problem, mine seems easy enough to read, 2020 model, has it been changed?

There are aftermarket metal dipsticks available. Not cheap though.

Skoda themselves do several versions of the dipstick for the Kamiq 1.0 (I assume it depends on the actual version / year of the car and engine) some with a metal "rod". I know because when I got my Kamiq in March and went to check the oil the next day, the dipstick was stuck and on pulling it firmly out the yellow plastic handle cracked where it joined the metal "rod". I researched dipsticks on line. However, the dealer ordered another for me (at no cost) and that one has been OK. Note that Skoda advise checking when the engine has been warmed to working temperature and then allowed to stand to let the oil drain back - I think the dipstick is easier to remove if the tube is warm. My metal rodded dipstick is also not particularly easy to read given the type of thin synthetic oils now used in engines.

If you get an alternative dipstick ensure that the markings are at the same level as the one that came with the car to ensure correct readings.

It's a pretty simple process, you can see where there's oil on the dipstick or not. Now regarding check on a warm or cold engine, I always check when the engine is cold. You're then checking the level of oil that has settled back to the sump. I've always done this whatever the advice in the manual on every car, never, ever had any engine troubles.

^^^ certainly agree with this as an initial check - far too late, after running engine up to full temperature, to discover no, or very low, oil in engine!

Thanks everybody for your replies. I just find it strange the Skoda use a black engine oil dipstick, especially when the oil gets darker as you do more mileage.

For dipsticks difficult to read i dust a little French Chalk on it before Checking the Level of the oil @ Normal Operating temp as it is supposed to be checked, parked on the flat and 'A few minutes after the engine is off' 4 or 5 is a few. Always check as well when stone cold, so that you know where the oil is before a trip. Compare checked At operating temp, then once cooled down. Operating temp is the correct level. But then you know how much higher above the cross hatch it will be once cooled and even more oil is in the sump.

when i check oil, i pull dipstick out, clean it properly with some alcohol and leave it outside engine till next morning, cover the dipstick area with a cloth. than all oil will be at the bottom.

in morning only 1st attempt, put it in, wait few seconds and pull out. since stick is not greasy, you will surely see very good line to which is filled.

Oil should not get very dark in a petrol engine; however diesels will discolour new oil to black extremely quickly.

@imart143 Your way is great, you know where the oil is when cold. Fine if you know the correct quantity of oil has been put in. A 'At normal operating temperature test' would show if there is a difference. The OP needs to know there is enough oil now in the 1.0 TSI and when the oil is hot. Unless he knows the difference between when cold with the correct oil quantity. It is not rocket science but VW / Skoda seem to like it to seem so. If people do stone cold checks and At Normal Operating Temps, approx 90*oC and the same level shows on the dip stick then fandabby dozzy. Dead simples. But does the cold level and hot show the same?

Edited 3 December, 20253 Dec by Evolution13

Yes, this is what I have done on previous cars that manufacturers required oil level checks on a warm engine. In the case of my last car, a Kia, the levels were, as best I could tell, the same whether checked cold or warm (5 minutes after the engine was turned off after reaching operating temperature). On my Kamiq, I have noted a very slight difference with the cold level being very slightly higher on the dip stick indicating that the time taken for all the oil to drain back fully seems to be longer than 5 minutes or thereabouts. However, if you know that, you can check the oil with the engine cold allowing for that difference. In any event, I never allow the level to be right at the bottom of the acceptable range ("b" in the diagram in the post above). However, as I said in my earlier post I have noted that the dipstick is a very tight fit in the cold tube compared with a warm tube.

As for topping up, it would be useful if manufacturers gave some information regarding the top up volume between the lower and higher acceptable readings, especially to avoid overfilling.

cold or warm, there should be no difference more than 1mm on dipstick. also i calculated that i am reading it cold, it will show little more than warm.

but when is cold, and dipstick is 100% clean it will be more easy to spot the line, without oil in dipstick channel or elsewhere.

20 hours ago, imart143 said:

when i check oil, i pull dipstick out, clean it properly with some alcohol and leave it outside engine till next morning, cover the dipstick area with a cloth. than all oil will be at the bottom.

in morning only 1st attempt, put it in, wait few seconds and pull out. since stick is not greasy, you will surely see very good line to which is filled.

Really not necessary to go to that extent and leave so long before checking oil - stop engine, leave for approx. 1-2 mins, pull stick and wipe, dip to check level.

Use steps 3 and 4 if doing cold engine check.

Edited 4 December, 20254 Dec by Warrior193
typo

Re No difference, hot or cold check. Important is if people say which TSI. 1.0. 1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 2,0, or are they talking MPI,s or TDI,s. Reason being Oil Capacity and is it a Oil Filter up top or lower. If you check enough different engines from ones with as little as 2.8 litres oe 3.2, then 3.6 you might well get to know, then there are 4.2 litres and 4.6 litres oil. & some pretty crap Dipsticks. & also Fitters / Techs that are dipsticks and turn out cars from a service with Low Oil or ovrt High oil. Now there are the No Dipstick engines and so far i have seen 3 Overfilled Oil threads on this forum. PS. 1.4 TSI CAVE / CTHE Twinchargers supposedly 3.6 litres oil capacity and they can be 1.3 litres low before a LOW OIL warning yellow oil can or message. The RED OIL CAN low oil pressure light or warning might come on first. These engines are happier with 3.9 / 4.0 litres of oil. & the Cold or Operating Temperature checks give very different results. Too many run low oil, as much as 1/3rd low.

Edited 4 December, 20254 Dec by Evolution13

Many a 1.2 TSI got a car back from a Service with too little oil in after the change. Many a 1.4 TSI Twincharger dies prematurely and the Demonstrators were never checked in the first 3 months / 3,000 miles until a pre used car sale check, or if a WARNING light or message showed.

19 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

Really not necessary to go to that extent and leave so long before checking oil - stop engine, leave for approx. 1-2 mins, pull stick and wipe, dip to check level.

Use steps 3 and 4 if doing cold engine check.

no, but very easy to see oil on dipstick, also is thicker and will stay on it longer to look. no mess and muliple attempts.