[JW_Q5]

The Q5 is the first car that I've owned without a 'real' dipstick. I have noted concerns about the amount of oil consumed by some Audi engines. Although my MMI readout indicates that the oil level in my 2.0TDi engine is still at the maximum level I'm considering fitting a manual dipstick for additional peace of mind.

Has anyone had a manual dipstick fitted on the 2.0 TDi (170) engine?

If so do you have the necessary Audi part number(s)?

 

[guyguyke]

I've only a manual dipsick
it shows "full" after 6000 miles

my former Audi (A4 2,6 petrol) burnt also absolutely no oil
running in carefully helps !

 

[Guest]

I?m also a great believer in careful running in.
Assuming that my MMI is giving correct levels then I?ve done almost 8,000 miles without any oil loss.

It?s interesting that your car is fitted with a manual dipstick ? I thought I had read somewhere that all Q5 engines had ?electronic only? dipsticks.

Anyway it does seem that, at least for our respective Q5?s, the oil consumption concerns may not be an issue.

 

[smo]

Electronic dipstick sounds worrying, it wouldnt take much for a sensor fault to leave you needing a new engine, no doubt having to fight hard to get it done under warranty only to end up car-less for months

 

[Guest]

Although the MMI indicates the oil level in my Q5 as being absolutely fine I do share your concerns about sensor failure (coming from owning several French cars previously can you blame me for a lack of trust with car electronics?).

When I took delivery of the Audi my salesman strongly suggested that I make regular checks of the oil level via the engine dipstick.

When I questioned his comments a few days later he was absolutely convinced that there was a manual dipstick. After taking a thorough look under the bonnet he ended up somewhat embarrassed.

 

[Hooplescat]

Just an update to this thread...

I have had my Q5 a week or so and done about 400 miles.

I am fairly sure that on the day I picked it up, whilst playing with the mmi etc, the oil level showed exactly half way between min and max. Checking yesterday, it shows as max, completely full. I note a few other people on this thread saying they show as full - should I be concerned?

I also have an annoying squeaky brake front right, so it might have to go back in to be checked anyway...

 

[nsm3]

Have you tried "standing on" the brakes from a decent speed? It may scrub them in a little and get rid of the squeal?

I have to "run-in" my pagid brake pads with a series of high speed stops to get them to bed in.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I had the squeaky brake, and it was also the right front. Mine did bed in after a few hundred miles, a few hard stops should sort it out.

Squirrel

 

[Hooplescat]

Hey nsm / squirrel

Thanks for the input - I have done a few hard stops, and although not gone, it seems to be lessening, so I will give it another week or so, it seems like it will go.

For info, I also had another small issue which also seems to be sorting itself out - when going into reverse I was getting intermittent ghost signal from one of the rear park sensors (it was clean etc). That also seems to be happening less and less frequently, so fingers crossed everything will have settled down. I suffer none of the other knocks and noises being reported by some people...

 

[JW_Q5]

Regarding the behaviour of the oil level showing different levels I?m wondering if this could be the result of taking a reading soon after stopping the engine:

i.e. that the half-full reading was the result of oil not having had time to drain back into the sump fully

 

[Hooplescat]

I will give it another go today and find out...

The squeaky brake seems to have stopped, but I think I am going to have to swing by the dealers as I definitely have one rear reverse sensor playing up and giving ghost readings half the time...

 

[shunter]

Dip stick: just tried to check my oil via the MMI. I says there is no information to display. Tried starting the engine an runing for a minute or two but not lomng enough to get the engine to temperature, and still no info. I will test again after a run. Possible I have a fault?? Has anyone else experience this condition.

Not good if you can not check the oil before a long journey.

 

[nsm3]

If you open/close the bonnet and then turn on the ignition - it should show the oil level then?

 

[shunter]

If you open/close the bonnet and then turn on the ignition - it should show the oil level then?

Funny I had just had the bonnet open prior to checking the oil level. Having driving long enough to get the engine to temperature still no reading. So drove to main dealer. Showed a service mechanic the problem, again the display said no information available, but after 30 seconds (maybe 45) or so the display appeared! Since then when I call up the display it appears straight away.

Dose opening the bonnet clear the sensor information??? i.e. it thinks you may have added oil!!!!

It has used about 1/2 litre in the first 2400 miles. Think that is in line with the service book.

 

[nsm3]

The manual says you should turn off the (warm) engine and wait 2 minutes before checking the oil level - that is where I read about the open/close bonnet version (can't remember which page though?)

There is also a low oil warning light backup.

 

[shunter]

After a some further testing:

If you open the bonnet when the engine is cold the oil level display is cleared.
To get it back you need to get the engine up to temperature, Park on Level ground (how level I am not sure) and wait 2-3 minutes.
Opening/Closing the bonnet I assume will reset the display level, but it is difficult to say if oil being update in real time. i.e. what you need if you are adding oil.
What I am not clear about and I am guessing that if you recall the display at a later date when the engine is cold you are just seeing the previous stored value.

An old fashioned manual dipstick was a simple solution that has not been beaten.

 

[shunter]

Has anyone topped up the oil using the oil level display as a guide had any issues. I ask because I checked my oil level a week ago - it showed about 1/4 on the min/max scale. I little while later it was up at 3/4. I put that down to the car not being on dead level ground (a few degrees out at the most. Having tracked down the correct oil to use (not easy) the display is now showing max.

I don't fee as though I can trust the MMI oil level display, and may just wait until I get a low oil display before adding any oil.

Am I missing something? Is my oil level display is erratic?

 

[smo]

Doesn't seem to be very confidence inspiring, oil being so vital to the enginge and a system that is totally irratic and inaccurate

 

[nsm3]

Has anyone topped up the oil using the oil level display as a guide had any issues. I ask because I checked my oil level a week ago - it showed about 1/4 on the min/max scale. I little while later it was up at 3/4. I put that down to the car not being on dead level ground (a few degrees out at the most. Having tracked down the correct oil to use (not easy) the display is now showing max.

I don't fee as though I can trust the MMI oil level display, and may just wait until I get a low oil display before adding any oil.

Am I missing something? Is my oil level display is erratic?

I had this same system on a 997 and ended up doing what you said....wait for the warning light to come on (which it never did, so no problem).

On my A3, I always waited for the light to come on before topping up and that did 50k without any problems at all - bear in mind they probably set the warning light "on" position with a good deal of built in security?

Anyway, while the car is under warranty - unless I drive around with the warning light on for ages (which the ECU error messages would show the technicians) - any engine problems will be down to Audi to solve.

 

[shunter]

nsm3 thansks for your note.

Having had oil reading of 1/4 and 3/4 I thought I should get a liter of oil for the day the low oil light came on. Purchased at vast expense and placed it in boot. Since then the oil reading have been Max!. Perhaps due to some new fangled regeneration technology at work! I suspect a faulty sensor but is it reading a false low or a false high.