Oil level after service ?

[johnfred]

After a recent service and oil change my dipstick was showing half way when engine was cold . Is this correct ?  I would have thought it should have shown "full" Would appreciate your comments . When I check the oil level with the engine warm etc after 3 minutes the level is even lower -  but not at minimum. The garage says the level is fine .

[degzi]

It's fine. You shouldn't fill to near the max mark as oil expands slightly when it's warm.
It will have appeared lower because the oil hasn't worked it's way back down to the oil sump before you tested again.

I doubt your engine will burn any any noticeable oil between services yet, so no need to worry about it.

[TnTkr]

Allowed oil level range marked in the dipstick is safe to use from min to max. Manufacturer has taken all necessary safety margins into account in design. User doesn't need to think any heat expansion, and good practice is to fill it to max in oil change. If the car is level when measuring, then I'd say the garage is increasing their profit by saving half pint of oil from every customer.

[TonyTorque]

Anywhere between the two marks is fine for the engine, so you're not in any danger. Halfway does look a bit stingy straight after a service though. Check it on level ground, engine warm, after it's sat for a few minutes, which you're already doing. If it's still only half, I'd just top it up to just under the max with the right 0W-20 and keep the rest of the bottle in the boot. Don't go over the max mark, that does more harm than being a bit under.

[aphybrid]

From MK4 owners manual;
Oil Check
We recommend that you check the engine oil level every time you refuel.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Turn off the power system. You can check the oil level without the engine having
run beforehand. If the engine has been running, wait approximately three minutes
before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange).
2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or
paper towel.
3. Insert the dipstick back all the way into its
hole.
4. Remove the dipstick again, and check the
level. It should be between the upper and
lower marks. Add oil if necessary.
(If the oil level is near or below the lower mark, slowly
add oil, being careful not to overfill.
The amount of oil consumed depends on how the
vehicle is driven and the climatic and road conditions
encountered. The rate of oil consumption can be up
to 1 litre per 1,000 km/625 miles.
Consumption is likely to be higher when the engine is
new.)
Adding Engine Oil
1. Unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap.
2. Add oil slowly.
3. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and tighten
it securely.
4. Wait for three minutes and recheck the
engine oil dipstick.
NOTICE
(Do not fill the engine oil above the upper mark.
Overfilling the engine oil may result in leaks and
engine damage.
If any oil spills, wipe it away immediately. Spilled oil
may damage the engine compartment components.)

[jazzaro]

Allowed oil level range marked in the dipstick is safe to use from min to max. Manufacturer has taken all necessary safety margins into account in design. User doesn't need to think any heat expansion, and good practice is to fill it to max in oil change. If the car is level when measuring, then I'd say the garage is increasing their profit by saving half pint of oil from every customer.

Bible

[TnTkr]

From MK4 owners manual;

This question and subforum is about Mk3. Basic things are of course same, but by default information about Mk4 is irrelevant in this thread.

[jazzaro]

"The rate of oil consumption can be up to 1 litre per 1,000 km/625 miles."
1 litre per 1,000 km/625 miles means 1 litre per 50l of petrol, 2%.
The same mix of my old 2 stroke Vespa.

[TnTkr]

"The rate of oil consumption can be up to 1 litre per 1,000 km/625 miles."
1 litre per 1,000 km/625 miles means 1 litre per 50l of petrol, 2%.
The same mix of my old 2 stroke Vespa.

I didn't know Honda allows that big oil consumption. And I wonder if catalytic converter is happy with that much burned oil in exhaust in the long run.

[jazzaro]

"The rate of oil consumption can be up to 1 litre per 1,000 km/625 miles."
1 litre per 1,000 km/625 miles means 1 litre per 50l of petrol, 2%.
The same mix of my old 2 stroke Vespa.

I didn't know Honda allows that big oil consumption. And I wonder if catalytic converter is happy with that much burned oil in exhaust in the long run.

For sure the converter is not happy, especially if you don't use an ACEA Cxx oil.
Quite all brands set the 1l/1000km as a threshold for max oil consumption, even if an engine with more than 1l/3-4000km oil consumption has definetly some problems, or it is worn. My LB13B2, 160000km on the clock, has never asked for topping up between two services, always filled with 0W20 or 0W30.

[aphybrid]

From MK4 owners manual;

This question and subforum is about Mk3. Basic things are of course same, but by default information about Mk4 is irrelevant in this thread.

Mk 4 quoted as that was origin but the procedure is universal, being pedantic about content is not helpful to less experienced car owners on site!

[TnTkr]

From MK4 owners manual;

This question and subforum is about Mk3. Basic things are of course same, but by default information about Mk4 is irrelevant in this thread.

Mk 4 quoted as that was origin but the procedure is universal, being pedantic about content is not helpful to less experienced car owners on site!

Your comment is absolutely fair. My apologies.

But at the same time Mk3 user manual is available from the Internet and could as well be quoted.

https://www.honda.co.uk/cars/owners/manuals-and-guides/honda-jazz-owners-manuals.html

[Lord Voltermore]

IIRC my Toyota Yaris handbook also quoted a potential oil consumptions as high as  1 litre per 1000km.    The Toyota service even included a half litre bottle of oil  for you to top up between services. .

In reality neither the Yaris  or my Jazz have ever  used anywhere near  enough oil to need topping up, even when brand new and 'running in'. 

I think the manufacturers 'play safe'  to encourage owners to do regular oil level checks  and avoid any blame for the consequences of a low oil level or excuse a low level on the  dip stick after a service.

I think some  garages remove the old oil by sucking it out via the dip stick tube rather than removing a drain plug.  This may leave a bit of oil in the sump etc . Even if the drain plug was removed  some oil may be  left in pipes, the oil filter (if its not changed) etc.  And then rather than messing about checking and rechecking the dipstick as fresh oil trickles down to the sump, or circulates around the engine, they simply  add the quantity of  oil specified by the car manufacturer for an oil change.  Perhaps using a measuring  pump from an oil drum.  The specified quantity may be a bit less than normal to avoid overfilling a car that wasnt comprehensively drained. (too much oil can cause problems )   You could argue that if the final level is a bit below maximum, it suggests ALL  the dirty old oil was removed.