Screw it in?

[cafcfan]

What do you do when checking oil levels on your Tuscans? Do you just dip your stick or do you screw the cap back down? Presumably you could get significantly different oil level readings?
BTW while the handbook saysthat the sp6 engine likes to oil, mine seems very abstemious - to the extent that none has been needed through the 1k service and now up to 2.5k miles. What are other experiences of oil usage?

[T5SCN]

Good question!! I've wondered that one.
Having topped up just a few hundred miles after the 1k servive I have since been from Notts. to LaMans and back while in the process of clocking up nearly 4,ooo miles. Having heard some suspicious clonking on start up, i checked the oil to find it still on the "Max" mark. Doesn't seem that thirsty to me.

[ehasler]

I screw it in, although my problem at the moment is that the oil is too clean to see exactly where it is on the dipstick!

I've done 2500 miles (1500 since the last service), and it's hardly used any so far.

[NickD]

I'd be interested to know the answer to this too - I don't screw it in.

Mine isn't at all thirsty. 3000 miles since its service in March (including 2 x 900 mile trips in one day) and no sign of any reduction.

[mossy]

Tuscan S. 750 miles from new ..no noticable oil usage.

[salty-nlv]

I screw it in deep amd long to get maximum lubrication on my dip stick..

[d3ano]

salty-nlv said:

I screw it in deep amd long to get maximum lubrication on my dip stick..

groan....there is always one


only joking

[salty-nlv]

I couldn't help myself occifer

[Peter_Belcher]

I just dab the dip stick in and don't bother screwing it down. I have done almost 5,000 miles in 4 months and haven't topped it up once?!

The oil was changed by garage at 1,000 mile service and I check it regularly but it always reads MAX. I have driven 300+ miles on a hot day on motorways the whole way and engine (oil) temp was up to around 80oC, soon as I stopped checked the oil... Nope, not used a drop! I am very impressed!

BTW, my car is a March 2003 4-litre. What age / engine size are the other cars that don't use any oil? Maybe something changed that stopped them using oil as a lot of 'older' cars seem to drink a litre every 1,000 miles?! Just wondering...

- Pete -

[bob the planner]

I have also pondered this and I do the screw it in thing. May 2001 car with 8300 on the clock and used about 0.5l in the 1800 miles I have had the car (in 5 weeks )

Bob

[Don]

bob the planner said:

I have also pondered this and I do the screw it in thing. May 2001 car with 8300 on the clock and used about 0.5l in the 1800 miles I have had the car (in 5 weeks ) Bob

Bob! You got a Tuscan! How did I miss that....will the Chim go? How do you find it as a change from the Chimaera. Mrs Don will want to know...

That and I'm sorry the Somerset Saunter and POTBII clash I was hoping you'd make it over again...

[21TVR]

I end up resting it on top and then think i'd better do it properly and screw it in - the difference is minimal, you know when it needs oil!

Mine likes it's drinks, if I drive it well it seems to like about 1 litre every 1000-1500 miles or so. It's now done 18k and the exhausts aren't sticky or nothing so it just likes it!

Running on Carlube 10w/40 at this very moment and it's not drinking, on the Castrol RS it was thirsty - must taste better I guess!

simon

[Maf]

Mines a 2003, and I don't screw it in.

It used a smidge just before its 1000mile service, now on 1400 and still on the max.

Maf

[S1X OK]

Oh good, I thought it was just me.
When I collected my 4.0 '03 Tuscan in March I had a briefing of the oil situation. I came away with a list of oils and the sequence to use them and at what mileage I should expect to be using them.
To kick off, during the first thou I was told to put cheapo GTX in because any oil is fine for this stage.
After the first service, I have to in put Magnatec.
Anyway to get to the point - here I am at 2500 miles with a spanking new untouched can of GTX on the shelf and an engine that doesn't ask for a drop of oil.
Incidentally, I was undecided about the 'screw in' or swift dip, so I asked TMS service and was told to screw all the way.
Now call me pedantic, but I find that screwing in means spinning the stick around in the dip tube which is prone to giving a false reading because of scraping around inside the tube. I've yet to obtain a clear indication on the dipstick.
Anyway, it don't take rocket science to add the add the depth of the thread to a mark on a straight dunked dipstick.
Oh God. Anal retention alert.
Quick - somebody tell me there's more important stuff in the world!!!

[lady topaz]

Going in for 6000 mile service and never needed a drink yet. Thought very odd as had been advised to look out for using 1 Litre every 1000 miles. When speaking to my dealer and advising this, he said 'lucky you, better this way than the other'. Will see how things pan out on the new oil following the service.

[tuscan_s]

Mine is a July 2002 car and it hardly uses any oil. I drove it to Birmingham and back last week and it needed just a small top up. It has done 5,200 miles now!

Oh no, 6,000 mile service No money!!

[donaldhunter]

Mine used almost no oil for the first 6000 miles and has used a couple of litres in the second 6000 miles. But I have used it on track a few times so I'd expect an increase in consumption.

My manual states:

To remove, unscrew the cap in an anticlockwise direction. Pull the dipstick out and wipe clean to ensure a true reading. Re-insert the dipstick and remove once again. The level of oil should read between the min and max mark on the dipstick.

I interpret this to mean that the dipstick should not be screwed in for the actual reading. Bear in mind that slight overfilling is okay because it's an oil reservoir.

[disrepute]

Screw it in for sure !

I have just had an oil and filter change carried out on my tuscan red rose and the mechanic told me the oil level is definatly measured with the dip stick screwed in.

As the previous Ph said it does not really matter as it is only 9mm difference between in and out !

God I must get a life and stop reading this stuff !

[Nick Elliott]

disrepute said:

As the previous Ph said it does not really matter as it is only 9mm difference between in and out ! !

Thats about a 1/4 of a litre,I always screw it in.Found a local supply of Castrol RS 10W60 30% cheaper than dealer prices which add up when you have to put a litre in every 1K miles.

Nick

[bob the planner]

Don said:

... Bob! You got a Tuscan! How did I miss that....will the Chim go? How do you find it as a change from the Chimaera. Mrs Don will want to know...

I tried to keep it quiet, you know how shy and retiring I am - honest officer.

Chim has been retained as the daily traveller and the Senator is on rotting trials - anyone want to buy a 5 seat hooning vehicle ?

My Tuscan requires a few more revs and does not pull as well from low down but I am getting into the style of things and using the change up lights more !

Hopefully see you soon.

disrepute said:

God I must get a life and stop reading this stuff !

Dom - don't worry. 10 posts in a month, 30 in 2 months then exponentially from there - By Christmas PH will have taken over !