futureechos Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Hi - I've noticed that the oil level in my 2011 987.2 is 1 bar below max, usually I do the Oil level measure on my driveway which is mostly flat. Being a paranoid new owner I've also done the test a few extra times recently, and whilst idling on a road when parked it shows 1 bar below max the first couple off times then max after a couple of mins.. obviously this is not 100% flat due to slight camber of the road. Is the oil just getting warmer and expanding to get different levels in same position? Oil tests have been done soon after then engine hits temperature I've never seen any blue smoke on cold start, just condensation, no drips on driveway. We did an oil change mid Dec'21 and it was correct then. Done estimated 1000 miles since then, car has done 63K, FPSH. Normal or should I be worried/checking more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 It has to be 1 below max. If it's maxxed then that's when you have to worry! As it means it's overfilled. Anyway, even if it was 2 below max it would still be absolutely fine so no need to be paranoid. Also best is to go to a petrol station where usually they have the flattest concrete slab at the filling area. Just check it again when there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mavrik Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 1 hour ago, futureechos said: Hi - I've noticed that the oil level in my 2011 987.2 is 1 bar below max, usually I do the Oil level measure on my driveway which is mostly flat. Being a paranoid new owner I've also done the test a few extra times recently, and whilst idling on a road when parked it shows 1 bar below max the first couple off times then max after a couple of mins.. obviously this is not 100% flat due to slight camber of the road. Is the oil just getting warmer and expanding to get different levels in same position? Oil tests have been done soon after then engine hits temperature I've never seen any blue smoke on cold start, just condensation, no drips on driveway. We did an oil change mid Dec'21 and it was correct then. Done estimated 1000 miles since then, car has done 63K, FPSH. Normal or should I be worried/checking more. Imo... you should keep your oil level at 1 bar below full... always check in same spot for consistency is what I do. Only need to worry if you're having to top up regularly or you have blue smoke on cold starts imo... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futureechos Posted March 18, 2022 Author Share Posted March 18, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Andrea said: It has to be 1 below max. If it's maxxed then that's when you have to worry! As it means it's overfilled. Anyway, even if it was 2 below max it would still be absolutely fine so no need to be paranoid. Also best is to go to a petrol station where usually they have the flattest concrete slab at the filling area. Just check it again when there. Sorry - By 1 below max I mean this. (i.e. max is all bars filled = too much!) Edited March 18, 2022 by futureechos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Aaron Posted March 18, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 18, 2022 7 hours ago, futureechos said: Sorry - By 1 below max I mean this. (i.e. max is all bars filled = too much!) Sorry, what? Max is the top line (one more bar than you have filled). There's nothing wrong with being at max - that's where you should always aim to be. Filling above max isn't ideal (the smaller bar above the marked max line), but that still isn't going to cause catastrophic engine failure by any means. The lines are the equivalent of F and L on a dipstick. A smudge above F isn't going to hurt at all. Now, a larger overfill can be detrimental but that's what the very top bar is for - to spot an overfill. Each bar is 400ml, and there is 1.25L of oil between the min and max lines (thus the 3 bars). You're running your cars with 400ml less oil than if you targeted max... Fill to the max line, drive your car, top up when necessary. Done. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barryb Posted March 18, 2022 Share Posted March 18, 2022 Hi We are all totally paranoid about our cars mainly due to misinformation on the www. They are well built cars designed to be driven, a bit too much oil isn't going to be catastrophic. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futureechos Posted March 20, 2022 Author Share Posted March 20, 2022 (edited) On 18/03/2022 at 11:23, futureechos said: Sorry - By 1 below max I mean this. (i.e. max is all bars filled = too much!) I appreciate the comments but my question was more about variation of the reading. Do you see it measure an increase if repeating in the same spot? I guess I’m trying to work out if it has actually dropped a bit, or as the engine gets warm enough for an initial reading, do yours read more after a couple of mins? It was at top arrow (Full) previously in December, now reads as per pic then on a repeat reads top arrow… hope that’s clear what I mean.. Edited March 20, 2022 by futureechos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
and.rs1800 Posted March 20, 2022 Share Posted March 20, 2022 I do find that some engines find their own level-not Porsche specifically,however my lorry has a 13litre engine,and if filled to the max it always burns it off and will always settle around three quarters ,and stay there. Fitters fill it up to max and I leave it to settle back to three quarters again ,but I do check every day. my R53 cooper S is the same,they are known for liking a bit of oil,but mine seems to always settle just under max,and needs a very occasional top up.nothing to worry about at all. My Cayman S hasn’t used any oil since I bought it in January,thankfully,but a small bit of oil consumption isn’t the end of the world. im still suffering from Porsche paranoia myself,but thankfully nothing to worry about so far😎😎 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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