Fiesta oil level

[Chris S]

A garage told my aunt that the oil in her Fiesta needed topping up and to check it regularly as it was really low. She asked me to do it.

There were two notches in the dipstick which I assumed were the maximum and minimum levels. However they had filled it up to the kink in the dipstick, at least 1cm above the max.

Is it possible that they had done this to compensate for the high oil usage? She's been going there for over 10 years so it's not a 'fly by night' outfit.

Here's a screenshot of another dipstick to show you what I mean:

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Is it possible that they had done this to compensate for the high oil usage?

Hang on whilst I toss a coin to determine the answer …

 

[fossyant]

You will get oil on the kink as it's designed to keep the dip stick away from the pipe walls, so you get an accurate reading.

You sometimes need a few readings, wiping between. Pictures of the actual dip stick. not ideal to over fill. Easy to drop a little out of the sump plug or suck some up if you have a suitable oil pump.

 

[bikingdad90]

Also, check the manual for how it is read, cold or hot?

 

[fossyant]

Sounds like your aunt never checks the oil, so a drop over a year can be expected as the car get's older - some new cars can use 1l per 1000 miles (Alfa I'm looking at you). Our old Aygo will use oil - if it's been used constantly on the motorway by my son, racking up serious miles, you have to check the oil. If it's running about town, less so.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

some new cars can use 1l per 1000 miles

😲😳

 

[fossyant]

😲😳

A brand new Alfa I had did that - fortunately it was a company car. Bit of a shock having previously had Toyota or Nissan. My 22 year old Nissan only needed 500ml between services, same with MrsF's 12 year old Nissan.

 

[Jameshow]

Sounds like your aunt never checks the oil, so a drop over a year can be expected as the car get's older - some new cars can use 1l per 1000 miles (Alfa I'm looking at you). Our old Aygo will use oil - if it's been used constantly on the motorway by my son, racking up serious miles, you have to check the oil. If it's running about town, less so.

VW's can too

 

[ActionMan76]

Fossy is correct, the kinks are to hold the measuring bit central to the pipe .... So dip it a couple of times to determine the real level.
Make sure the car is also on level ground.... The oil should be between the two notches ..They are indeed LOW and FULL.

If it is actually above FULL it can cause as many problems as being too low ....However, for an old Ford Fiesta .... Errr assuming it is what I call OLD (more than 10 years) ...Cos I know some young guys call cars OLD at 3 years.....

Anyway for a old fiesta, so essentially any model, none turbo & without the 999 ecotec triple engine. If it using a lot more than a couple of lit between sevices then there are potentially bigger issues to look for.

If it has an ecotec turbo.... As brilliant as that engine is at 80000 miles or about 10 years they do need a big overhaul ....But thats the nature of modern engines that are quiet, fuel efficient and as nice as they can be to the environment

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Sounds like your aunt never checks the oil, so a drop over a year can be expected as the car get's older - some new cars can use 1l per 1000 miles (Alfa I'm looking at you). Our old Aygo will use oil - if it's been used constantly on the motorway by my son, racking up serious miles, you have to check the oil. If it's running about town, less so.

My appalling heap of a Panda went through a litre every 1200 miles, the bore or rings on No three cylinder were shot, not only needing regular top ups but regularly fouling the plug as well.

 

[fossyant]

We've had the Aygo four years. Bought as a back up for son (he kept modifying his car and it would break - not good as a daily), and also for daughter to drive once she passed. Fairly typical of the 3 cylinders is they do use a little oil as they get older. No leaks, dry engine, no smoke etc etc. Not noticeable usually, but my son does a lot of miles - social miles, so when he borrows it, it get's serious miles put on it. It's done 50k miles in the 4 years we've had it in it's 'spare car' capacity. My son is into cars, really good at fixing stuff, but never checks the oil. Have you checked it ? Yes... I check a week later and it's below minimum. Takes 2l of oil in a 3l sump. The car goes months just being a 'spare', not being used, then son breaks his and it's used for 3 months and get's hammered.

Always check oil once every few months ! It's not difficult.

 

[Drago]

The handbook invariably advises checking levels weekly or prior to a long journey.

 

[fossyant]

The handbook invariably advises checking levels weekly or prior to a long journey.

Certainly before a journey.... but most folk don't....

 

[mistyoptic]

I don’t have a dipstick

 

[Drago]

I do mine weekly and before a long journey under the "old pilots, bold pilots" principle.

It never ceases to amaze me the effort folk go to when getting in hock to buy a car they cant afford, and then having acquired the second most expensive asset after their house proceed to neglect even basic checks that could save them a fortune in repairs.