V70: Engine Oil levels after an oil change

[xavierx]

People seem to overcomplicate the oil changes on these.

The service dipstick is perfectly usable to setting the correct oil level, but as for some reason, no one uses them, they end up getting stuck in the block.

Once you have unstuck your service dipstick, put a new o-ring on it ( or replace the entire service dipstick - which is the Volvo approved way 🤣 ) and every time you use it to do an oil change, just wipe a little engine oil on the o-ring and it will never get stuck again.

If you aim for about 3/4 on the service dipstick, this will equate to around 50% in VIDA, which seems to be the perfect level.

Mine thankfully consumes zero oil between services and will be at exactly the same level when I change it (168k miles) I use mine almost exclusively for European long distance driving, so it almost never needs to do a DPF regen

[hal9000f]

Originally Posted by xavierx

People seem to overcomplicate the oil changes on these.
...
If you aim for about 3/4 on the service dipstick, this will equate to around 50% in VIDA, which seems to be the perfect level.

I would agree with overcomplicating...but, disagree with 50% level in VIDA.

It says target value is 70%...see attached pics.

[GrahamBrown1]

Originally Posted by 100K+

Two question..Why when the oil is drained ( assume it was at correct level/amount) does the oil level gauge need to be reset?? Assuming that the correct amount of oil is replaced??

Also the retro fitted dipstick..does it need the Max/Min lines redefined to allow for a reduced fill (5.7 litres) from original spec?

IIRC I have read on here " add 5.7litres of Castrol 0w30 and forget about it".

For a couple of changes I was anal about how "by the book/vida" I changed the oil. - no more. I drain the oil + 5.7litres of Castrol 0w 30 and forget it.
After a 100 miles or so I recheck digital says 100%, Vida reads 65-75% ( I have done this x2) and the tech dipstick is 3/4 up the measure.

I have a service coming up in June .. and will do the same again..

Cheers
Bob

With the physical dipstick fitted I found that 2 of the XX read full on the digital gauge so I use this as the max mark. You don’t want it to be above the XXX mark. There are a total of 4 X markings. This has worked perfectly fine for me. I have never bothered calibrating the level gauge even tho I have vida I just set the level with the dipstick but I know how much it takes anyhow. Can’t really go wrong.

[100K+]

Thanks replies, which show others think like me, but original question remains…why do Volvo tech say you have to reset a level in vida when you remove 5.7 litres old oil and replace with 5.7 litres new oil???
Or is this another example of “scare the uninitiated to bringing their car to dealership for service”
Cheers Bob

[Andymharrison]

I think it's a case of the sensor not detecting the actual oil level but changes in level.

So it has to be told that the level is correct before it works.

Bit naff really, bring back that extremely complicated stick thingy instead of this simple high tech stuff.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by 100K+

Thanks replies, which show others think like me, but original question remains…why do Volvo tech say you have to reset a level in vida when you remove 5.7 litres old oil and replace with 5.7 litres new oil???
Or is this another example of “scare the uninitiated to bringing their car to dealership for service”
Cheers Bob

My understanding is the oil sensor can't detect when oil is drained out of the sump. So you have to reset the sensor via VIDA and then it works out the level itself.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Andymharrison

I think it's a case of the sensor not detecting the actual oil level but changes in level.

So it has to be told that the level is correct before it works.

Bit naff really, bring back that extremely complicated stick thingy instead of this simple high tech stuff.

The sensor is an expensive echo sonor device which bounces sound waves up to the surface and works out how far that is by the time it takes the echo to be received. and knows exactly what the level is. The naff stuff is the person who puts the oil in :-)

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

My understanding is the oil sensor can't detect when oil is drained out of the sump. So you have to reset the sensor via VIDA and then it works out the level itself.

Yes exactly, It is up to the person changing the oil to thoroughly drain the old oil and put the correct amount back in. The volume could be 5 litres 5.2 4.8 etc what ever they actually put in . That's why after 20 miles the sensor adapts to that being the correct level. It is still down to the person doing the job to ensure they put the correct volume of oil in which is going to be slightly different for every person who does it.

[Andymharrison]

Originally Posted by Clan

The sensor is an expensive echo sonor device which bounces sound waves up to the surface and works out how far that is by the time it takes the echo to be received. and knows exactly what the level is. The naff stuff is the person who puts the oil in :-)

Judging by the number of people on here having problems I'll stick by my description!

Another case of adding expensive things to solve a problem that doesn't exist. A tube and a stick work just as well, arguably better and no doubt far cheaper.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Andymharrison

Judging by the number of people on here having problems I'll stick by my description!

Another case of adding expensive things to solve a problem that doesn't exist. A tube and a stick work just as well, arguably better and no doubt far cheaper.

Can't beat the ol' dipstick.

I don't like these electronic gauges either. Stupid idea.