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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Albatross on 17 December 2008, 22:52:05

Title: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Albatross on 17 December 2008, 22:52:05
I've just driven from Bolton to Bedford at a steady 95 70. Once I dropped off the motorway and was driving through Bolton I had my 1st experience of a new colourful picture on my CID.

An oil can and "Check Oil Level" came up. There are no warning lights on the dash, but I just wanted to ask. Do I drive home and crack open another one of the sixteen 5 litre Vauxhall oil cans I have at home in the garage, or do I hot foot it to my nearest Vx garage in Bolton rather than risk it?

If the latter, does anyone know where it is and can someone remind me what type of oil I need?

Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: HerefordElite on 17 December 2008, 22:56:17
after a 'spirited' drive the oil can get chucked about a bit and if it's borderline low i.e not to the max line(!!!) then oil check can come up but not to worry jsut give the dipstick a quick check :y
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: HerefordElite on 17 December 2008, 22:59:14
.. and if it is particularly low and you worried its 10W40 semi synthetic ;)
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Elite Pete on 17 December 2008, 23:00:48
I would check the dipstick, better to be safe than sorry.
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Albatross on 17 December 2008, 23:05:51
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I would check the dipstick, better to be safe than sorry.

Good idea. What is "safe" on the dipstick? It's in the hotel car park downstairs; I'll go and check it now.
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Andy B on 17 December 2008, 23:09:10
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......
If the latter, does anyone know where it is and can someone remind me what type of oil I need?



Mmm? £10 fro a gallon of oil vs 100's for A N Other engine due to oils starvation ????  :-/  :-/  ;)

http://www.findvauxhall.co.uk/vauxhall/listings/vauxhall-dealers/lancashire/bolton/wilson--co/70

Up the road from where Burnden Park used to be, they do Saab and the Daewo (sp?). From the centre, near the rail way station head out towards Farworth on Manchester Rd and it's on your left hand side just before the dual carraigeways/overpass bit is. You go passed a big massive Porsche dealers first.
You want the semi-skimmed 10/40  :y
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 17 December 2008, 23:10:36
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I would check the dipstick, better to be safe than sorry.

Good idea. What is "safe" on the dipstick? It's in the hotel car park downstairs; I'll go and check it now.

In theory Nath anywhere between the top and bottom Marks are at an acceptable level. If it's under the half way mark, I would top it up, but it's not critical, at that stage.

I think it's 1litre from bottom to top :y
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Albatross on 17 December 2008, 23:15:59
Thanks.

Now that is why I love this forum.
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: feeutfo on 17 December 2008, 23:17:22
never seen the oil check, but from what ive read on here the warning trips about half to a third from the bottom of the dip stick. I always try to run ar close the max on the dip strick ar poss but provided its not below the minimum mark ive always thought you wont do any harm. Keep any eye on it though, if its leaking somewhere the level may be dropping more than you expect. And im sure vx do 1 litre bottles by the way.
Daw pipped again.
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Albatross on 17 December 2008, 23:24:34
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never seen the oil check, but from what ive read on here the warning trips about half to a third from the bottom of the dip stick. I always try to run ar close the max on the dip strick ar poss but provided its not below the minimum mark ive always thought you wont do any harm. Keep any eye on it though, if its leaking somewhere the level may be dropping more than you expect. And im sure vx do 1 litre bottles by the way.
Daw pipped again.

Pipped or not, still valid and appreciated Chris.

Thanks

Nathan

Good night all. Big meeting 1st thing tomorrow before the drive home
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Andy B on 17 December 2008, 23:25:43
Quote
.......
And im sure vx do 1 litre bottles by the way.
 ...

Vauxhall do, but whether the local dealer stocks them is another matter, mine doesn't, or screen wash either. :-/  :y
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Tawfield on 17 December 2008, 23:29:07
Good advice given no way would I drive the motor short on oil that is just asking for a expensive outlay, ENGINE, you should check for oil leaks as well.

Also have you checked the oil filler cap is properly secured,you will see if it ain`t because the under bonnet will be covered in oil.
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Andy B on 17 December 2008, 23:33:32
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......
 have you checked the oil filler cap is properly secured,you will see if it ain`t because the under bonnet will be covered in oil.

That's whhat happens if you forget to refit the filler cap on a Senator ........ apparently!  ::) ::) ::) :y
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: hotel21 on 17 December 2008, 23:47:03
Mine used to throw the 'check oil level' warning after extended cruising on the motorway, especially if the oil level on the stick was midway between max and min.  

Check the level and, if its between the marks, would suggest that alls probably OK but, obviously, you need to keep an eye on it.  A litre bottle of semi synth from Halfords or similar, kept in the boot as a just in case, would not go amiss....  :y
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Martin_1962 on 18 December 2008, 10:03:14
Mine comes up occasionally, but Oil Lack is the warning message.

If it is over minimum you are OK.

At high revs the oil is splashed everywhere - level is unreliable.

Measure after it has sat for a while
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Seth on 18 December 2008, 10:42:42
Whatever, top-up as necessary to the higher mark on the dipstick.
If there's no evidence of leak(s), you should be fine fella.
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: TheBoy on 18 December 2008, 18:40:31
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Mine comes up occasionally, but Oil Lack is the warning message.

If it is over minimum you are OK.

At high revs the oil is splashed everywhere - level is unreliable.

Measure after it has sat for a while
Varies with MID Martin Imber
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: TheBoy on 18 December 2008, 18:41:10
As has been suggested, if around half on dippy, you do occasionally get the warning...
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Martin_1962 on 18 December 2008, 20:20:14
Quote
Quote
Mine comes up occasionally, but Oil Lack is the warning message.

If it is over minimum you are OK.

At high revs the oil is splashed everywhere - level is unreliable.

Measure after it has sat for a while
Varies with MID Martin Imber

Seen both - ie during oil changes to check messages
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: TheBoy on 18 December 2008, 20:22:08
Quote
Quote
Quote
Mine comes up occasionally, but Oil Lack is the warning message.

If it is over minimum you are OK.

At high revs the oil is splashed everywhere - level is unreliable.

Measure after it has sat for a while
Varies with MID Martin Imber

Seen both - ie during oil changes to check messages
Not on the same MID you haven't ;)
Title: Re: Far from home - Oil levels
Post by: Albatross on 18 December 2008, 20:43:00
Thanks for all the advice.

I checked the dipstick this morning (I was a bit of a dipstick for not thinking of this myself) and it was just above the minimum.

I drove to the local stealers right after my meeting (they gave me TC discount too) and bought a litre; topped up and drove home fine.

Thanks again

Nathan