How to check engine oil level. When to change engine oil.

[Transporter]

An interesting article with tips what to look for when you pull out engine oil dipstick checking the engine oil level.
Dipstick Oil Analysis (http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/541/dipstick-oil-analysis)

Warning: Could be boring!

[Cousin]

"So, let’s take a close look at the oil on the dipstick. The oil should look smooth and glossy and somewhat transparent"

Oil in a diesel engine looks nothing like that 5 minutes after changing:(


M

[Transporter]

It still looks more glossy and transparent than oil that is depleted and ready for changing, plus in well used oil you could still feel the grit particles between fingers. :)

[Transporter]

It is only rough guide as the article says, and more important is to monitor the changes in the sample result over period of longer time.

The amount of Iron, Aluminium and other elements will also depend from what materials is the engine made of. All aluminium engines could have higher amount of Al particles and big engines with metal timing gears could have more Fe particles.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_std7SMZaoXg/THUHlxJUxgI/AAAAAAAAA-A/ilXSpXq-pMA/s800/Analytical%20Wear%20Metal%20Contaminants%20and%20A dditive%20Element%20Values.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_std7SMZaoXg/THUHmX6FV1I/AAAAAAAAA-E/6aJuUaVzKFE/s800/Sources%20of%20metal%20and%20other%20contaminants. JPG

[Transporter]

Engines last longer with cleaner oil, oil coolers and by-pass oil filtration.

Oil Filter Advice (http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/681/oil-filter)

Please click also on “Changing oil preference” link at the beginning of the article.

I couldn't agree more that clean oil means longer engine life.

MANN Humel oil filters. http://www.mann-hummel.com.sg/EN/industrialfilters/doc/MANN%20Filters%20for%20Liquids.pdf

[phaeton]

I'll throw a question to those in the know.

Is it better to do more oil changes than less ?

For example I will aim to change the oil on my Jetta every 5000-7500km instead of the 15,000km.

[Transporter]

There was a study done in Sweden, they've used a very sophisticated filters to keep the oil clean, replacing filters only and doing top ups, they have done 500,000km and counting on one oil in a bus engine. That does prove that the clean oil will keep your engine alive for much longer then the dirty one.

I do oil changes every 6months or 5k-7,5k km whichever comes first. I schedule the oil change just before the summer and before the winter.

If, I would do 30k km per year, I would still change the oil every 10k km giving the engine the best chance to do 100's k km. But hey, don't neglect the transmission and the diff if the car would have one. I change the diff oils and transmission fluids after first 20k km to remove any metal debris after run in.

[aVex]

I've just been advised by my dealer that the oil in the car when it arrives from Wolfsburg is a special grade that you cannot buy commercially, he recommends that I do not change the oil until the first service interval.

I was actually intending to have my GTI oil changed now at 5,000kms before I put the car on the dyno. Now I'm not sure anymore if I should change the oil to with my new bottle of Liqui Moly before I dyno.

[Transporter]

I always changed the oil earlier and nothing happened. The Tiguan oil was drained at 1000km and done now 10,000km, I didn't have to top up even 1 drop. IMO the oil in the engine is the same VW504.00/507.00 oil. At 1500km the piston rings and cylinder walls already formed a perfect seal, and the rest of the engine will be better of with a fresh oil in the sump.