Oil Level Indicator on the Dash is reading LOW after Oil change

[B3DAWG]

I changed the oil for the first time in my "new to me" 996 last Sat. Before I change it the oil level indicator showed all bars. I drained the old oil and put the some 9 quarts of 0W40 oil in it and turned the car on Sunday and the meter is reading 3 bars low. Huh? Is there a reset procedure for this or what?

Thanks for your help.

Oh, and the dip stick reads proper oil level.

[gnat]

In my experience the digital gauge is handy, but not to be relied on. It can be extremely finicky about how the car is positioned. If you're reasonably flat/level and the stick says you are good, then you should be good.

[B3DAWG]

Yea, I'm thinkin' a good long drive in the car should clear it up? Thanks Gnat!

Oh, here's my filter.. pretty clean. I could see about 2-3 visible specks, but that's about it.

This image would make a great avatar. ha!

[pfbz]

Definitely don't chase a perfect reading on the electronic gauges... Get at least three consistent readings before adjusting?

[B3DAWG]

Definitely don't chase a perfect reading on the electronic gauges... Get at least three consistent readings before adjusting?

Thanks man! At first when I turned on the car, I saw the oil level and thought, "Oh crap" I hope this is not a leak under the car. But look under, no drips or anything... dry as a bone. And so, I guess I better slow down and not shoot at anything that moves with this thing.

[SealGrauWailer]

you want the electronic reading to be taken on super flat ground, as opposed to "pretty flat, I think." Keep the oil level around midway between full and low to ensure you don't flood your AOS with errrl & cause smoky startups. If home doesn't work, try to find a spot that is flat that you can check the level every so often. Using the same spot to measure every time helps reduce the crazy readings. As an example, I get the 'low oil level' light when I get gas, nearly every time. It's just the angle the car sits at. I think the dash reading is taken in the front of the block, closest to the rear bumper.

[texcwa]

My electronic level gauge reads 2 bars low when the stick reads level. I do not fill above the 2 bars low in fear of overfilling. Typically I loose approx 2 bars (or less) between my 3k mile oil change so I do not add oil between changes. "is there a way to re-calibrate the digital gauge??"

[pfbz]

^^^ ...as mentioned above, overfilling is potentially more damaging than underfilling... I'm not saying let your oil go dry, but as long as you have *any* bars above the min line, you are pretty much good to go.

[B3DAWG]

Thanks guys! I appreciate your advice on this matter. I put in 9 quarts and so I figured it would be good, but I haven't taking the car out because I have the console out for painting. Hopefully, I'll have everything reinstalled and I can take it out for a drive.

[32wildbilly]

I changed the oil for the first time in my "new to me" 996 last Sat. Before I change it the oil level indicator showed all bars. I drained the old oil and put the some 9 quarts of 0W40 oil in it and turned the car on Sunday and the meter is reading 3 bars low. Huh? Is there a reset procedure for this or what?

Thanks for your help.

Oh, and the dip stick reads proper oil level.

What brand of oil did you use...?