dumb question: what is the significance of the 5-second countdown when you turn on the ignition, before starting the engine?

 

When the countdown finishes, you should see what looks like an oil lamp and a digital readout of a level. Dealer told me (1) that from high mark to low mark represents one quart (so no need to add oil until you are a quart down) and (2) that the digital readout was more accurate than the dipstick.

You don't have to wait for the countdown to finish before you start the car (unless you are waiting for the level reading of course). When the car is already warm the countdown can extend to minutes.

My comments go for my 2001 model.

 

I've found the digital readout to be accurate. But I don't wait to add oil until it's a quart down. Call be paranoid.

 

1 bar = 0.2 liter which is 1/2 pint or 8 oz.

It is NOT a quart! Beware!

 

thanks guys. i figured it was the oil level, i just wasn't sure why there was a countdown, and whether you were supposed to wait for it to finish (5 seconds is the most i ever waited in case you were wondering)

 

I believe, as already alluded to, the difference between the highest mark and the lowest mark represents approx. 1.5L, but check your manual.

 

The computer calculates the time based on how long ago the engine was run. The time can get much longer than 5 seconds. It is time to allow an accurate reading.