vinflouen

As complex and specific as these cars are, I am going to ask what I would say is a dumb question.

Here is my dumb question.
Can I check the oil with the Schwaben dipstick tool when the car is cold and get an accurate reading?

My little special 3 pushes of the R menu tells me one thing, but the dipstick says another. I am inclined to believe the dipstick as thats how its done.

So will a cold reading of the dipstick give an accurate read?
The oil does still look good after 5k miles.
Thanks

Astro14

The level sensor is usually accurate. A cold dipstick is also accurate. Warm is best. Fully warmed up, 5 minutes after shutdown gives you the best (most accurate) reading.
But here's my question: how are they (the sensor and the dipstick) different?
Is your Schwaben dipstick calibrated for an M113 sump? Or is it generic? Since it's registering in mm, what mm level do you think it should read?

vinflouen

The dipstick is for the 113. The mm reading should be between 98 and 120 according to WIS.
Level sensor is giving different readings each day I check it. So I am either buring some oil, or I am just paranoid and being overly cautious. Probably the latter.

Astro14

I've found that the level check is sensitive to, well, level. The car being on a flat surface, that is.

It's also really sensitive to waiting. You can get an "add 1QT" message after 2 minutes, and then a "OK" message 2 minutes after that as the oil drains back...so, I'm certain to wait a solid 5 minutes with a warm engine on a level surface for a good check.