So I changed the oil on my ctt. Yes, it was easy, even the panels.
However, I have a question.
During filling, I filled up almost to Max line on dip sick, and when the car was left off for a bit, the oil line is about 4mm above the Max line (just about to the place on the stick where it stops being felt and starts rounding).
I know you should keep oil up to Max but will this level hurt anything? Just wondering, do not feel like getting under there again unless I really have to.

Thanks for input.

 

How many quarts did you use on the fill?

 

I used 8 quarts. it was calling for 8.25. I could not get the upper drain plug out but all of the oil seemed to have come out.
I filled up and measured (at which time oil went to about 3mm before max line). Started car, made sure it idles for a bit so all oil is circulated into the system properly. Then shut down and waited for about 30 min. When measured again, the oil went past the max as described.

To try to give good representation of how far past the max line it went, here is my attempt to illustrate (cannot find a pic of the dipstick online and didnot take photo at home):
The oil is about to the third vertical line (rightmost). about 3-4mm past the max line.
Below illustration has min line as the leftmost one, the max line as the 2nd from left line, and where my oil went to is represented by 3rd from left vertical line.

min . . . . . . . . . . . . max .fill
|..............................|__|

 

The manual states approx 8.5 quarts without filter change or approx 9 quarts with filter change.

If you put in the measured 8 quarts, I wouldn't worry about the slight overfill indication.

 

Thats what I thought too. Changed the oil filter but apparently some oil must have remained behind during the change. I will just keep it as is and it will go down due to the CTT needing oil check/top up anyway.
Thanks - this puts my mind at ease.

 

Seems as if BMW and Porsche owners obsess over the dipstick.

IMHO - Forgeddaboutit.. it's a semi-dry sump engine (two big reservoirs under the sump that hold the oil) so a slight overfill has no bad effect at all. Last time I changed mine it took the full 8.5 quarts.. so you have nothing to worry about.

 

lol. maybe the Porsche and BMW owners take more pride in their dip sticks, whereas others may not care how their dipsticks work...
I know, I suspected same but for some reason wanted peace of mind. I know of some cars that are more prone to issues if overfilled, so I guess my paranoia was coming out. Thanks for the input - I can sleep tonight...

 

New BMWs have no dipstick (a step backward IMHO..) It relies on an electronic readout, which as we know can never break... break.. break...

 

wow - talk about confidence in electronics design/reliability.
Especially when applied in a critical area, since lack of oil can destroy that pretty little enigne. Well, let all BMW owners hope it never fails...

 

I'm sure the designers have thought out there design.

IIRC the new 911's also have no dipstick, they too have gone electronic.

As for running out of oil, there is some degree of redundancy built into the system.
You still have low quantity and low pressure indication systems to alert the driver.

 

The low oil quantity uses the same sensor as the electronic dip-stick.. and when the low oil pressure light comes on - damage has already been done, and unless you carry oil with you - you're looking for a tow truck at that point.

 

Not true.
If you pull over and shut the engine down, there will be no damage.
Continue operating the engine, then you will cause damage.

 

Really? You're saying that taking the time to pull over (which can take a while if you're in the fast lane on a CA freeway) will cause no damage? The light usually is set to turn on at 7PSI (or lower) - which isn't a lot of oil pressure to keep bearings from losing their lubrication "wedge".. Are you willing to take that risk?

As far as the reliability of the electronic systems - the ones on BMWs are known for going bad.. luckily all the BMWs I have that have them still had dipsticks. I can't imagine there are that many vendors of level sensors in Germany (Seimens or Bosch probably..) for Porsche to choose from.

It seems much more sensible to have a dipstick so the entire problem could be avoided.

The other problem BMW people have with the system is - how much oil to put in when the warning light goes on. The manuals are not telling people that - they typically suggest visiting their dealer (who apparently can read out the actual level readings using the BMW diagnostics computer.)

 

Yep, I would say that it is an acceptable risk that no damage will occur, otherwise the "low oil pressure" alert would be an "engine damaged" alert.

Normal people in a real world scenario would mitigate the risk and shut the engine down to prevent any damage.

 

IMO, if an engine temp warning comes on, you are already in the red zone as far as engine temp goes. This would mean the engine is operating at a temp higher than intended. Since it is unrealistic to predict that a user will shut engine down right after the light comes on, one would have to assume the engine will continue to operate at the elevated temp level for at least several minutes after light ON situation. To me that means running the risk of overtemp, and then, once at the dealer, being told 'well, you overheated the engine so you have to pay for the damage'.
As of now, I would feel uncomfortable with not having physical way to check. Like many other critical systems (life support or otherwise), the KISS rule really is a good guide.
Using circuitry to monitor is not full proof method, I work in hi tech industry and know for a fact that all hardware will fail eventually, especially when you run it at boundary or past boundary conditions.
When you compound that with potential to have to cover costs due to inability to physically check, I tend to say 'no, thank you'.

IMHO of course, and I am sure others may well have opposite preferences.