Oil reading in MMI vs Dipstick..

[KAMP]

Hey guys, did my first oil change after purchasing my 2016 in December. Used the Liqui Moly kit + dipstick and took it for a quick drive (already feel it running smoother). Anyways, I parked the car in the garage and waited the two minutes as suggested. In the MMI the reading shows MAX but my dipstick is currently sitting at the second set of dots up top, under MAX (I’m using the genuine Audi/VW dipstick).

Either way, I know I have to wait longer for a more accurate reading on the dipstick.. BUT is it okay for the MMI to sit fully at MAX?.. or would that indicate too much? I put in just over 6.5 quarts in and wanted to make sure its not somehow overfilled. Thanks.

[hilmar2k]

I would rely on the dipstick for fine measurement. I never use the MMI now that I have the dipstick. Can't beat the accuracy of a dipstick.

[JeffSQuattro]

The capacity for oil is usually in the 7-7.2 quart range. I wouldn’t worry with the max reading in mmi as you’re using the dipstick.


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[Envy187]

Both the MMI reading and physical dipstick pertain to the TOP QUART of oil, not the "maximum" and "minimum" level of ALL the quarts of oil within your engine.

#themoreyouknow.

oil level below minimum level.jpg

Either way, oil consumption's not out of the norm with our vehicles. I'd keep an eye on it, but wouldn't fret too-too much.

Ultimately, if you added "too much", your car would scream at you - letting you know you overfilled.

[Solarsuplex]

Both the MMI reading and physical dipstick pertain to the TOP QUART of oil, not the "maximum" and "minimum" level of ALL the quarts of oil within your engine.

#themoreyouknow.

oil level below minimum level.jpg

Either way, oil consumption's not out of the norm with our vehicles. I'd keep an eye on it, but wouldn't fret too-too much.

Ultimately, if you added "too much", your car would scream at you - letting you know you overfilled.

Well said. I didnt know it was the top quart. Great to know.

[KAMP]

Both the MMI reading and physical dipstick pertain to the TOP QUART of oil, not the "maximum" and "minimum" level of ALL the quarts of oil within your engine.

#themoreyouknow.

oil level below minimum level.jpg

Either way, oil consumption's not out of the norm with our vehicles. I'd keep an eye on it, but wouldn't fret too-too much.

Ultimately, if you added "too much", your car would scream at you - letting you know you overfilled.

That is what I was thinking but thought I’d double check with you guys here. Thanks either way. I put in probably closer to 6.75 quarts, so I have about a quarter left in case I need to add later. Is anyone usually filling in all 7 quarts? I used car ramps, so I’m not sure how much was left in the pan.

Also, the car’s been sitting for a good hour now, so I’ll recheck either way. I know best readings are after an entire night but at least I’ll have a ballpark of where it’s at. Oh and I usually don’t like to fill my cars to the top quart/maximum, just to be on the safe side. Anyways, here is what I was seeing earlier...

[jygesq]

If anything the dipstick shows you are not completely filled , if you are using correct dipstick.oil level should be up to max line when you check oil after car has been sitting overnight.MY Audi dipstick had no holes in it.

[wes8398]

...you can feel a 2016 running smoother because of an oil change? Man, that's impressive... ;)

[KAMP]

If anything the dipstick shows you are not completely filled , if you are using correct dipstick.oil level should be up to max line when you check oil after car has been sitting overnight.MY Audi dipstick had no holes in it.

I am using the correct dipstick. I just checked the level again after the car set for numerous hours in the garage. It does show slightly higher than the pic posted.. but not yet at “Max.” Either way, I feel that it has a sufficient amount of oil in it. If need be, I’ll add more in a day or two.

[Dr GP]

IMHO, using the dipstick, any level in the widened center portion or above is fine, My cars never showed the level to be at MAX, even after oil change. When you do an oil change, you can never remove all the oil. How much old oil you actually get out will determine where the initial oil level will be. I remember the 4.2 V8 in the B6 S4 had something like 13 qts of oil ,But only 8 or 10 qts could be removed with the rest of the oil remaining in the oil galleys. Better to be a little under filled than over filled. If you are really anal about it, top it off after you drive the car for a few days.

[BDP]

I just did my oil with an extractor. It pulled out around 7 quarts of oil...which was concerning because I was in a hurry and busy last time and had a shop do a synthetic with it 5,000 miles ago and was expecting some oil to burn. At any rate...I put 7 quarts back in and my MMI was about 3/4th's of the way to "Max". I know in the past when I changed my oil it would read "max" after fill up. My best guess is there is some level of error with the MMI.

I may look into a dipstick at some point but I've been lazy and also putting precedence on things that make my car go fast.

[SouthernBoy]

I just did my oil with an extractor. It pulled out around 7 quarts of oil...which was concerning because I was in a hurry and busy last time and had a shop do a synthetic with it 5,000 miles ago and was expecting some oil to burn. At any rate...I put 7 quarts back in and my MMI was about 3/4th's of the way to "Max". I know in the past when I changed my oil it would read "max" after fill up. My best guess is there is some level of error with the MMI.

I may look into a dipstick at some point but I've been lazy and also putting precedence on things that make my car go fast.

I also use an extractor and it will remove 6.8 liters (7.185 quarts) of oil. I then fill with 7.25 quarts. I change it every 5000 miles and it only uses around two ounces during that time and mileage. I'd say that's pretty good.

[TC_S4]

That is what I was thinking but thought I’d double check with you guys here. Thanks either way. I put in probably closer to 6.75 quarts, so I have about a quarter left in case I need to add later. Is anyone usually filling in all 7 quarts? I used car ramps, so I’m not sure how much was left in the pan.

Also, the car’s been sitting for a good hour now, so I’ll recheck either way. I know best readings are after an entire night but at least I’ll have a ballpark of where it’s at. Oh and I usually don’t like to fill my cars to the top quart/maximum, just to be on the safe side. Anyways, here is what I was seeing earlier...

The MMI measurement indicates by slice of 1/4 quart. Let say your little over the 3/4, your MMI will show max. I have done the test and came to the conclusion, always rely on my dispstick for accuracy. Just make sure you have the right dipstick. I have the exact same dipstick, if you measure the lenght, I can confirm.

By the way, if you over fill the MMI will pop a message warning ‘please reduce oil level’

[jygesq]

I stand corrected, my dipstick does have holes on it. All my oil changes are done by dealer ( Audi cares) my oil level is at the max line.Dealer use. an extractor to change oil.. if you level does not quite reach the max line, you should not be concerned , it is not too low nor too high in the photo you show

[Charlie B]

On my B8 S4 I use an extractor to do 5000 mile (half of recommend) oil changes and take it to a shop for the 10,000 mile changes. So it gets and oil change every 5000 miles. My question is that I am getting way less oil out with my Schwaben hand pump extractor. I only get about 4 quarts out. I can't figure out why. I go down the dip sick hole and the extractor hose stops at a what seem like the full depth. The depth of the hose is 1 and a half inches deeper than the length of the dip stick. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I pump an additional 2-3 minutes after the air bubbling noise starts and get about an additional quart during that period. I always have a warmed up engine, not hot.
Thanks

[evanb]

On my B8 S4 I use an extractor to do 5000 mile (half of recommend) oil changes and take it to a shop for the 10,000 mile changes. So it gets and oil change every 5000 miles. My question is that I am getting way less oil out with my Schwaben hand pump extractor. I only get about 4 quarts out. I can't figure out why. I go down the dip sick hole and the extractor hose stops at a what seem like the full depth. The depth of the hose is 1 and a half inches deeper than the length of the dip stick. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I pump an additional 2-3 minutes after the air bubbling noise starts and get about an additional quart during that period. I always have a warmed up engine, not hot.
Thanks

Is the car level? Did you check the oil level before you extracted?

[Charlie B]

Yes car level and oil was in-between Min and Max before I started.

After I posted this question I read a few other discussions. People talked about having to push past a stopping point to get to the correct depth. Some people talked about not having any issues. I typically use the fatter hose supplied with the Schwaben extractor because its faster. But this time I tried the thinner hose hoping that it would fit in a smaller clearance places. So I tried to jam the thinner tube down farther past the usually stopping point which I was able to do and I felt it going into the pan. Problem was that It was a bitch getting it out. I really had to pull hard and when I got it out it was bent a little and had a small kink into tube. So Im not going to do that any more. I wonder if some cars have a slightly different build where the dip stick ends and there is an engine part that stops at a slightly different resting point. Either way I don't think I can find a way around this which is a bummer because I love the principal of the extractor.

[grovlet]

Well - Best practice for me with topsider - is to use the dipstick as the length for marking the tube - Once I hit that mark, I let it suck oil until it starts to gurgle - pump some more for a few - THEN pump it up good, and SLOWLY push the tube a little further in - typically pull what seems like another good bit (1/2 qt?) that way.

If you are getting it caught - it's probably a little to far in - and small tube most likely helps as it should soften a little more for flexibility...

I never measured but the topsider is 8 quarts and was always mostly full - so guessing I got most of it - not really a huge deal if you missed a little anyways....

[Charlie B]

Thanks that's good advice. Ill try and push a little farther when the tube is softer. Happy miles.

[AerotusX]

On my B8 S4 I use an extractor to do 5000 mile (half of recommend) oil changes and take it to a shop for the 10,000 mile changes. So it gets and oil change every 5000 miles. My question is that I am getting way less oil out with my Schwaben hand pump extractor. I only get about 4 quarts out. I can't figure out why. I go down the dip sick hole and the extractor hose stops at a what seem like the full depth. The depth of the hose is 1 and a half inches deeper than the length of the dip stick. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I pump an additional 2-3 minutes after the air bubbling noise starts and get about an additional quart during that period. I always have a warmed up engine, not hot.
Thanks

Similar to you, I also felt strange that I can only extract 5L when I did my first oil change with MityVac. I assumed the rest of the oil was burnt away. I added 7L new oil and the measurement was good.

[hilmar2k]

Similar to you, I also felt strange that I can only extract 5L when I did my first oil change with MityVac. I assumed the rest of the oil was burnt away. I added 7L new oil and the measurement was good.

If you were 2L down you should have been adding between oil changes. I would also think that the MMI should have given you a low oil warning at that level.

I use an oil extractor as well, but don't measure what comes out. I fill it to the max line on the dipstick and check the oil periodically. I've never yet had to add between a change (I run 6-7k OCI).

[AerotusX]

If you were 2L down you should have been adding between oil changes. I would also think that the MMI should have given you a low oil warning at that level.

I use an oil extractor as well, but don't measure what comes out. I fill it to the max line on the dipstick and check the oil periodically. I've never yet had to add between a change (I run 6-7k OCI).

You're right and that's what was strange, I didn't get any low oil warning light. The only reason I knew how much came out was because I transferred the oil from MityVac back into the 5L bottle for disposal. I still had the two 1L empty bottle with no oil left in the MityVac.