Hi Everyone,

My ST has just done 650 miles and this is the first time I check the engine oil level. I find it very difficult to tell what the actual level is by looking at the stick.

When I first pull it out the level is near the minimum mark and I was surprise that the car has consumed that much oil. Anyway, put a 0.25 litre in and re-check, now there is some oil above the max mark and some oil about 30% above the min mark and nothing in between. I have check it several times also putting the stick in different orientation and some time the oil above max. mark disappear and the oil level varies between 20 to 40% above min. I can't really tell exactly how much oil I have in the car.

Anyone find it as difficult as mine to check oil ?

Thanks

when u check the first time it like ur got no oil at all or at a minimum but if u check again it should come at a normal level with its about 3/4 between the min and the max I think!!

When I first check and re-check 5 times and it still looks like no oil. I put 0.25 litre in and it becomes 30% above min. On the other hand there is also oil above the maximum but nothing in between. This is what confused me.

Make sure you are also on a very level place as it's sensible to that too... it can vary if you are parked even on a very slight hill...

What i have found with mine when checking the oil you need to check it first thing in the morning before you start up or after it has been standing for a while.I thought the same as you but found it takes ages for the oil to settle before checking it.hope this might help

You always check the oil with the engine warm but you need to be on level ground and leave the car for 5 to 10 mins to let all the oil drain into the sump.
As Chris said, oil expands when it's warm so if you check it when it's cold and top it up to the max mark it will expand above the max mark when warm and start burning oil.
Make sure you use the right oil when you top up as well, do not mix oils in the sump.
Best to go to Ford and get a litre of the correct oil to top up with.

Thanks.

I have tried to check cold and then warm. There is not much different.

The difficulty I find is that there is oil just above the min mark (30% above) and also oil above the maximum mark and nothing in between. I can't tell whether I need to top up or not as I don't want to put too much in.

I bought the Ford oil from the dealer as recommended in the owner manual.

The upper oil is the oil in the tube.
Go with the lower reading.
Just put half a litre in and see if the lower mark goes up a bit.
If it does keep putting half a litre in till you get to the max mark

may be u should go to ur Ford dealer and ask them to look at it and maybe explain the problem! I know someone who brough a brand new Mondeo and after 5 miles the car stop cause they didn't fill up the car with oil! how bad is that!