Oil level indicator on dash?

shiftspark · Oct 24, 2006

A quick question - a colleague of mine with a 172 exclusive has shown me how to check the oil level by pressing the wiper stalk when first putting on the ignition.This shows a few blocks in the display to indicate the levels.
Since I've changed my wiper stalk I cant get the display to show the oil level but should it as I never tried this out before changing the stalk. :?:

Nik · Oct 24, 2006

You have to press the trip reset button on the dials to show it, not the one on the wiper stalk. You have to press it while it still says OIL OK too, and it wont do this if your cruise control mode switch is on in either mode.

shiftspark · Oct 24, 2006

Ah
I will give it a go when I leave work shortly

fazedesign · Oct 24, 2006

Cool - I'll check that out tomorrow morning!

shiftspark · Oct 25, 2006

Thanks Nick
It works but I only have 1 square! will have to check it with the old fashioned stick thingy :lol:
My service light was on the otherday briefly but I had been parked on the kerb so was probably due to the oil being low.
Looks like I will have to do an oil service as I have just done 9k miles not due for a while yet as I dont do a lot of miles per year.
Only had it 3 weeks or so.

shiftspark · Oct 25, 2006

Thanks Nick
It works but I only have 1 square! will have to check it with the old fashioned stick thingy :lol:
My service light was on the otherday briefly but I had been parked on the kerb so was probably due to the oil being low.
Looks like I will have to do an oil service as I have just done 9k miles not due for a while yet as I dont do a lot of miles per year.
Only had it 3 weeks or so.

FunkyMunky · Oct 25, 2006

shiftspark said:
It works but I only have 1 square!

if its on one square i'd definitely recommend checking it and then topping it up!

Steve · Oct 25, 2006

Cool!

fazedesign · Oct 25, 2006

This week, fazedesigns oil has been mostly:

OOOOO_

FunkyMunky · Oct 25, 2006

fazedesign said:
This week, fazedesigns oil has been mostly:

OOOOO_

in my term of ownership the oil has never budged from

OOOOOO

drive like a saint me

Lee G · Oct 25, 2006

How reliable is this method though? I just ask because I'm from the old school of always checking it on the dipstick :?

Cue · Oct 25, 2006

Lee G said:
How reliable is this method though? I just ask because I'm from the old school of always checking it on the dipstick :?

When it get's to 000-- then just go on the dip stick. It's an indicator of oil level not a reliable measurement.

Mine goes from OOOOO to OOO-- depending on the hill i park on. Checked the oil on Monday and its fully topped up.

It's as reliable as using the miles to go part of the trip computer, i ran out of petrol with it saying 43 miles left. (having done 410 on the tank!!!!!!)

shiftspark · Oct 25, 2006

Mines 0_ _ _ _ _ :shock:
i will use the stick thingy and let you know how much this is compared to the dash.
Hopefully theres some in

g40steve · Oct 25, 2006

shiftspark said:
Mines 0_ _ _ _ _ :shock:
i will use the stick thingy and let you know how much this is compared to the dash.
Hopefully theres some in

Don't give it death till you top it up

DaveG · Oct 27, 2006

Please Please Please Please Please Check Your Oil Using Your Dipstick.....My sensor went faulty and my engine went pop...so now i will never trust the reading on the instument panel..

USE THE DIPSTICK
USE THE DIPSTICK
USE THE DIPSTICK
USE THE DIPSTICK
USE THE DIPSTICK
USE THE DIPSTICK
USE THE DIPSTICKUSE THE DIPSTICKUSE THE DIPSTICKUSE THE DIPSTICK

oliie · Oct 27, 2006

Lee G said:
How reliable is this method though? I just ask because I'm from the old school of always checking it on the dipstick :?

Just as well you don't have a new M5 which doesn't have a dip stick :?

I agree with you, Lee. I think the driver should always be able to check the oil of a high-performing engine manually.

O.

Lee G · Oct 27, 2006

I used to have an M3 CSL which didn't have a dipstick either

I work with electronics and electrical stuff on a day to day basis and there is no way I would put all my trust in them. :!:

shiftspark · Oct 28, 2006

0 _ _ _ _ _ !!!! the oil is just on the MIN mark on the dipstick.

Off out to get some

It looks a bit black so an oil and filter change is needed despite 12000 miles 2 year service interval :?:

oliie · Oct 29, 2006

Mine has never gone below 0000_ but then that is what a 5000 mile service interval and M1 motorway miles does for your oil consumption! :lol:

O.

Cue · Oct 30, 2006

shiftspark said:
0 _ _ _ _ _ !!!! the oil is just on the MIN mark on the dipstick.

Off out to get some

It looks a bit black so an oil and filter change is needed despite 12000 miles 2 year service interval :?:

i'd ignore mft's advice on oil changes..... i do a fair few miles a year an have always gone on the proviso of a change every 6 months or 8k, which ever comes sooner.

The Trophy though will be 6 months or 6k as clean oil makes more difference to engine life than any thing else, you look after the internals and you'll get 200k out of these engines.