mousehouse

Is there an accurate way to check the oil level by looking at the gauges and not having to use the dipstick?
Thanks

Will

Fageddaboutit.

It's nice to see the oil level gauge bobbing about at idle when the engine is warm, but I wouldn't consider the gauge to be a quantitative measurement.

Will

Bill Gregory

As Will said, no, you can't use the gauges to confirm the oil fill level. While on level ground, oil temp >180, oil should be half way between the full and fill marks. Using the oil gauge as a guide will cause you to overfill the engine, which creates a mess.

Randall G.

While the dipstick is the accepted "authority" with regard to oil level, it certainly can be tricky to read on many (all?) 911s. As the dipstick is removed, it (apparently) picks up traces/tracks of oil as it rubs against the tube. These traces/tracks can easily be mistaken for a true oil level, and many an unwary owner has thought his oil tank full, when it fact it was low--maybe even more than a quart low. The trick is to find the spot where oil appears "in full" on both sides of the stick.

So ... I find it reassuring to have dipstick readings bolstered by the gauge reading. I have established a correlation between the gauge and dipstick readings by comparing them closely after a fresh oil change, when I know the oil level should be correct.

Having established this correlation, I rarely check my dipstick anymore. To be honest, I find it too much of a pain in the *** to get a good reading, with all the smears/tracks running up the stick. I sometimes wonder if Porsche put the gauge in the car because they know the dipstick can be so tricky to read?

Oh, and I should also say that I only add oil in half-quart increments, as added insurance against overfilling.

Hope this helps.

Peter Kelly

I have found that the gauge and dipstick correlate to each other very closely on my car (89 carrera)

Dial 911

I think the oil level gauge is much maligned!
The one on my car is totally accurate, and corresponds to the dipstick exactly. If yours is not reading properly, the sender or float arm may be damaged.

I always check the gauge reading for a minute before I shut off the engine. When the needle is in the red zone, it's time to add a quart or so. My SC likes to be filled to the 3/4 mark, and does not smoke or blow oil when filled to that level.

The most oil you can put into the tank (without over-filling) assists the cooling of the motor. These are really oil-cooled motors.