Just changed the oil (first time for me) on my 2007 C4 S and installed the LN engineering kit...first reading had me one line above the low bar in the acceptable range...so I added half-quart to bring it up to 8 1/2 quarts....just checked again four hours later and reading is flashing below the low bar....not seeing big streaks of oil on the underside of the car nor puddles where I parked. I've driven it about 5 miles since changing the oil...any ideas?

 

I'd check it a few more times, then add oil if it's still low. Just a a few FYIs for the .1 cars you check it with the engine off. If you overfill you always remove the filter and dump the oil in it.

 

Perhaps the level dropped due to the oil moving into all of the system nooks.

 

OP... give it some time... you have put in a acceptable amount of oil per the engine oil spec,... don't stress... your motor wont grenade if your a 1/2 quart low or high... id rather be low than high though. take a deep breathe... it will be ok.

 

I suspect that by switching to the spin on filter itll take extra oil to saturate the bigger filter, give it a few days and check regularly

 

Okay...breathing restored to normal!!!


Appreciate everyone's calming advice! I think I'll work on the power washer today...

 

Really good to know...I was wondering about this possibility...I miss my dipstick.

 

I have exact same car ('07 c4s) and have changed the oil many times. Though the manual says 8.5, it's barely enough with an oil filter change.

As they said, once the new oil gets spread all over your engine's internal, coupled with your new bigger oil filter, this would trigger an early low oil condition. Just watch it and see if next time you'll need 9 qts

2 things I have noticed also:
1. After an oil change, I tend to add another half a qt after a few hundred miles.
After that, it takes about 3k miles before I add a few more oil
2. I once had a condition where I was 1 bar above min. I few minutes later, the oil light came on. As soon as I reached home to check, I was at 2 bars. Nevertheless, I added more oil. After this experience, I always maintained 2-3 bars, cold measured.

That factory gauge is not very accurate.

 

Cab.... I agree with your saying to stay at 2-3 bars, and not to the top.
when I change my oil... I typically put in max quantity less 1/2 quart... drive around a day or so, and adjust as needed.


there really should be a dipstick on these cars... audi relies on electronic
checking systems as well, but also has the provision for a dip stick to be added as well.


And regarding the LN engineering spin on metal filter adaptor, I was not under the impression that it increases ones oil capacity... I installed it, and am at the same quantities during oil change service.


I believe LN's oil pan adds another quart or so.... not their filter adaptor....which btw, is a beautifully machined part, and allows for the metal napa gold/wix filters to be used, as well as being able to add rare earth magnets to the filter to trap any metal particulates within the filters outer walls. very efficient over the cheap plastic canisters and its non 100% oil filtering capabilities... (oil bypass).

 

wish we could just have a regular dipstick... I change the oil frequently on my .2 4s (track days) and it's such a pain, start the car, check, wait 430393039309 seconds, add some more.. ugh!