Oil level 206 1.4

First of all, these electronic gauges are only an indication and cannot be a substitute for the dipstick, so never use them during an oil change. Becuase they go through the BSI to indicate on the dash, they dont always read the correct level after an oil change until the ignition has been off for 5 minutes and then on for about the same time (with the engine running). So after a change using the dipstick run the engine, adjust the level on the dipstick, switch off and take the key out for at least 5 minutes, drive the car for a short while, then switch off again. The indication should then be correct.

Many thanks for that, Nigel. It explains a trick my 807 likes to play - it waits until I have returned from walking the dog on a remote part of Dartmoor or somewhere similarly off the map as far as mobile phones are concerned and then tells me it is completely out of oil when I go to start it. The first time it did it I checked the dipstick (full), the second time I looked underneath to see if there was a pool of oil (no). Ever since I have taken no notice, but I wonder why a company with the experience that Peugeot have should fit a warning device whose only contribution is to focus on its own unreliablity.

Ron Robinson

Hi,

Errr... The other brands were doing it, already. This is the mystery of marketing / business intelligence : they say "we have to do such a thing". I've heard of more reliable sensors available at Peugeot's... Anyway, whatever we're talking about older cars like 405s (where it was fit) or more modern models, everyone (with a mean intelligence) knows that the simplest tool is the more reliable... therefore I always trust the dipstick. I noticed that my '02 206 tends to show minimal level when parked bowing on the right side.

And I know a worst kind of electronic oil level indicator : the one fit to Renaults only shows "Oil OK" until it goes under the min level. The "squares & dots" display can be obtained if the user presses a button. Stupid, eh !

Regards,

-- G.T

I'm not sure but doesn't the gauge only sample the oil level once per switch on?

Hi,

That's possible. It's only intended for "occasional" control, and doesn't replace the good old dipstick check, hence the unneeded (unwanted ?) reliability.

Regards,

-- G.T

You are right that you can't argue with the dipstick, but that doesn't mean that the gauge need not be reliable. If it is fitted it should work. Anything less is an insult to the customer who has had to pay for it as well as being bad for the reputation of the makers.

Ron Robinson

I must admit that I can't think of a more awkward way than the OP was using. You're pouring oil into an engine. Next to you is a dip stick, a few paces away, through a door, on the dashboard is a gauge. Which do you pick?

It is a THOROUGH oil change which includes checking ALL sensors and instruments are working properly? In the OP's case this was indeed done by him, double checked and a problem he encountered put right before he used the car. I'd rather have an amatuer like that change my oil than a main dealer anyday.

Maybe, but if you want to check the oil level sensor all you have to do is see what it says when the sump is empty and again when the dipstick says the sump is full. But that doesn't mean the gauge will tell you the truth next time. . .

Ron Robinson