How to Check the Engine Oil Level in an Audi A4?
4 Answers
Audi A4's specific method for checking the engine oil level is as follows: 1. Press the Car button to select Maintenance, and the electronic display will show the oil level. 2. For an accurate display, the oil temperature needs to be at sixty degrees Celsius, and the vehicle must be turned off with the ignition switch on. After turning off the engine, wait for 1 minute, then turn on the ignition switch to see the accurate oil level. 3. Check the oil dipstick. To perform the check, first park the car properly and engage the handbrake. Start the car's engine and let it reach normal operating temperature. Then, turn off the engine and wait a few minutes until the oil flows back. Remove the oil dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it, and then pull it out again to check the oil level.
Last time at the 4S shop, the technician taught me a trick to check the engine oil level in an Audi A4. First, park on level ground and turn off the engine—don’t rush to open the hood to check the mechanical dipstick (new A4s mostly don’t have this). The key is to wait two minutes, letting the oil drain back into the oil pan. Then, power on the car without starting the engine, navigate to the ‘CAR’ option in the left steering wheel button area, enter vehicle settings, and select the engine oil level. The screen will take about two minutes to display a bar graph of the oil level. If the bar is between min and max, it’s safe; if it’s close to min, you’ll need to add 1L. A veteran driver’s tip: after every service, make sure the technician resets the reading for accuracy. In summer, oil level warnings are common—often due to sludge interfering with the sensor.
The electronic oil dipstick on my 2019 A4 is super simple: After warming up the engine and turning it off on level ground, just power up the car by opening the driver's door—no need to start the engine. Tap the 'Vehicle' option in the bottom menu of the central display, then select the 'Oil Level' icon and wait for the progress bar to complete. Pay attention to whether the green zone is centered between the two horizontal lines. If it drops to the lower limit and the yellow warning light comes on, it means you're at least half a liter low on oil. A quick reminder: Don't check immediately after prolonged uphill driving, as the oil might not have fully settled, leading to false readings. This question pops up daily in our car owners' group.
The test drive specialist instructed the new owner: On a flat surface with a cold engine, press the start button directly to power on (without pressing the brake). Locate the MMI control knob, turn it left to enter the vehicle menu. Select 'Oil Level' under 'Maintenance & Inspection', and the level will be displayed after the progress bar completes. The third-generation EA888 engine may take slightly longer. Remember, a red light means you must add oil immediately, while a yellow light allows you to drive to a service point. Don't panic if the cold engine shows a low reading in winter; check again after warming up and turning off the engine for an accurate measurement.
