Hi, got a twin air Panda and loving it. Just one question how on earth do you get a decent reading on the dip stick when checking the oil? The car is only a couple of months old and the oil is still clear which makes harder too get a good reading. Also the diagram on the oil filler cap has the min/max level half way up the dip stick, how realistic is that?

I was going to ask about the dipstick too! I've been presuming the level indicator is just in the narrower bit in the last inch or so of the dipstick. I hope it's that, that was where my level was when I got it new and it's still there today so I'm in trouble if it's halfway up the stick! I think anyway, as you say it's hard to see on the coloured plastic.

Any advice on the dipstick & levels greatly appreciated from anyone in the know. Mines a TA from early 2015 if that makes any difference.

Take it easy,
M

The bit to look at is the last inch or so.
It's narrower than the rest of the stick and has a hatched surface to make the oil cling a little better.

I must admit, it's very hard to read and takes a couple of attempts.
The way I find works best is to check after 30 or 40 minutes of turning the engine off and the car on a level surface.
This allows the hot oil to cool slightly (very hot oil expands and will over read) and gives it time to drain back to the sump.

Pull the stick out, wipe it and refit.

When pulling out again, keep the stick upright and bring it up to eye level like this. If you tilt it, the oil runs up the stick making it very hard to get a good reading.

If you do that a couple of times, you should get a good idea of the level.

Funny how one of the oldest routine checks seems to get harder and harder! It was so much easier when the dipstick was just a long, sinuous strip of burnished steel, instead of all this plastic rubbish they use nowadays.

Never thought I'd get misty-eyed about a dipstick. I need to get out more.

Thanks a lot for the detailed advice. Now all I need to do is find somewhere flat to park up round here in Sheffield

Take it easy,
M

Thanks Guys