vRS oil level

farky77 · 14-04-2006, 17:12

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?

Cheers

texasjohn · 14-04-2006, 17:20

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

A Laws · 14-04-2006, 17:43

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.

farky77 · 14-04-2006, 17:48

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

aixlad · 14-04-2006, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by farky77

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.

MikeW · 14-04-2006, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by farky77

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.

Lummox · 14-04-2006, 23:02

3cms? that way up the dipstick.

Top of the hatch is the maximum.

DRJ · 15-04-2006, 14:32

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

"Oil level within range (B) [the hatched zone] - you may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be within range (C) [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.

DRJ · 15-04-2006, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by farky77

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.

DRJ · 15-04-2006, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Laws

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.

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

mickeyg33uk · 15-04-2006, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by texasjohn

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

sound advice from my boy!!

texasjohn · 15-04-2006, 16:50

Ah well

Alan M · 15-04-2006, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRJ

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

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

Neily03 · 15-04-2006, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan M

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

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

crunch · 15-04-2006, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan M

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

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

DRJ · 15-04-2006, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan M

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

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°F (4°C) the molecules slow, water contracts and the density increases. Below 40°F (4°C) the molecules begin to bond to each other and as they do, the water begins to expand again, decreasing the density. At 32°F (0°C) all molecule are locked into a crystalline structure with a resulting nine percent expansion in size. This expansion, and corresponding decrease in density, is the reason ice floats."

DRJ · 15-04-2006, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by farky77

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...

DRJ · 15-04-2006, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neily03

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!

Alan M · 16-04-2006, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRJ

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°F (4°C) the molecules slow, water contracts and the density increases. Below 40°F (4°C) the molecules begin to bond to each other and as they do, the water begins to expand again, decreasing the density. At 32°F (0°C) all molecule are locked into a crystalline structure with a resulting nine percent expansion in size. This expansion, and corresponding decrease in density, is the reason ice floats."

You'll get no arguement from me there. What you've posted is correct. I was just making the point that the laws of physics are rarely as clear cut as it seems.

Prasg · 16-04-2006, 13:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neily03

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.

14-04-2006, 17:12	#1
farky77 Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 596 Thanks: 2 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	vRS oil level 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? Cheers

14-04-2006, 17:20	#2
texasjohn Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Midlands Posts: 1,677 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: vRS oil level 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 __________________ Xbox 360 gamertag: TexasJohn74. Last edited by texasjohn; 14-04-2006 at 17:30.

14-04-2006, 17:43	#3
A Laws Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cornwall Posts: 218 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: vRS oil level 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. __________________ Andy Laws Fabia vRS

14-04-2006, 17:48	#4
farky77 Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 596 Thanks: 2 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: vRS oil level I take it that the 'MAX' mark is at the top of the hatch markings?

14-04-2006, 23:02	#7
Lummox U18 Automotive Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Newport Pagnell Posts: 21,820 Thanks: 22 Thanked 658 Times in 554 Posts	Re: vRS oil level 3cms? that way up the dipstick. Top of the hatch is the maximum. __________________ Unit 18 Automotive Services now open Servicing, repairs, modifications you name it we do it. Cupra console bushes at special price, PM for a very competitive quote.

15-04-2006, 14:32	#8
DRJ Briskodian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Gloucester Posts: 805 Thanks: 11 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: vRS oil level Top of hatch is definitely NOT the max level - from the manual: "Oil level within range (B) [the hatched zone] - you may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be within range (C) [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. __________________ David - Skoda Fabia vRS - October 2004 facelift Last edited by DRJ; 15-04-2006 at 14:41.

15-04-2006, 16:50	#12
texasjohn Briskodian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Midlands Posts: 1,677 Thanks: 3 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: vRS oil level Ah well __________________ Xbox 360 gamertag: TexasJohn74.

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