Ever checked your OIL LEVEL ? | FerrariChat

Ever checked your OIL LEVEL ?

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by arcangel, Mar 20, 2014.

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  1. arcangel

    arcangel Formula Junior

    Jan 8, 2013
    440
    #1 arcangel, Mar 20, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have just checked the oil level of my 458 when its engine is cool . The oil level is far below the two holes marked on the stick . Is it normal ? Should I take the measurement at a different time such as right after the engine is turned off ?
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  2. bigblock737

    bigblock737 Formula Junior

    Dec 19, 2013
    711
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Andy B.
    Serious ?

    The oil-level is checked with:
    -running engine
    -oil temp above 80 C

    The difference between max and min is approx 2l / half gallon

    For more details you are welcome to consult the owners manual ;)
     
    F485 likes this.
  3. Need4Spd

    Need4Spd F1 Veteran

    Feb 24, 2007
    6,645
    Silicon Valley
    The car has a dry sump oiling system and the level must be checked using the correct method. If you don't, you will be led to think the level is low when it's really not, and if you act on that by adding oil, you will overfill it, leading to engine damage. Just the difference between cold temp and operating temp alone can make a huge difference in the indicated level, as the oil expands quite a bit when heated to operating temp. So yes, please review the manual and check according to the procedures specified!
     
  4. Caeruleus11

    Caeruleus11 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 11, 2013
    10,861
    You absolutely have to follow the instructions for this as the others have said. Make sure to use some appropriate gloves because the oil filler cap is metal and it gets HOT.

    My experience having driven tens of thousands of miles in various Ferrari V8 and V12 models is they don't munch motor oil anywhere near the way the German cars do (particularly BMW).

    I forget exactly how much oil the motor requires but I would take an educated guess that if the motor was more than 1.5 quarts low on motor oil the warning light would come on.
     
  5. YAMVS6

    YAMVS6 Karting

    Jan 26, 2011
    138
    ohio
    no low oil level sensor in a 458,system depends on user to ck their oil level,best to keep it under the full line even when hot,somewhere between min and max marks
     
  6. Noblesse Oblige

    Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

    Nov 7, 2011
    6,114
    Three Places
    Just to reemphasize what others have said. Your cool engine measurement is useless. The engine must be hot and running. And keep in mind that it is better to run a little under than overfill. Overfilling is very bad.
     
  7. FastRed355

    FastRed355 Formula 3

    Oct 3, 2003
    1,501
    Westwood
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Is it possible to blow out the engine if over filled?
     
  8. photonut

    photonut F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 16, 2007
    4,080
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Joel
    in general, turbo engines tend to consume oil.
    my 458 is my 3rd fcar.
    i have never added oil to a ferrari engine.
     
  9. Noblesse Oblige

    Noblesse Oblige F1 Veteran

    Nov 7, 2011
    6,114
    Three Places
    Two years ago I bought 3 quarts of oil just to have in case I needed to add to either the F430 or 458. I still have 2 of them. They don't use very much at all and the V12s use none.
     
  10. sg1

    sg1 Karting

    Sep 29, 2012
    50
    According to the 2012 owner manual there is a warning light on the dash that indicates low oil level - looks like a dipstick...
     
  11. Rcktrod

    Rcktrod F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2010
    3,946
    USA
    +458. Go drive her instead. The yearly maintenance is good enough to deal with the oil level.
     
  12. 4th_gear

    4th_gear F1 Rookie

    Jan 18, 2013
    4,425
    Full Name:
    Michael
    Depends on how much you overfill it.

    The oil will froth if the oil level is high enough that oil gets picked up by the crankshaft. This can result in blown crankshaft seals. Frothing will be experienced as a loss of power when accelerating as the bubbling oil results in increased resistance against the crankshaft. If that happens, you should drop the engine revs, pull over and call the garage.
     
  13. dustman

    dustman F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 12, 2007
    8,935
    Was it ever confirmed, is there a dash light for low oil level?
     
  14. Balsamina

    Balsamina Formula Junior

    May 19, 2010
    927
    San Francisco Area
    Full Name:
    S
    Page 118 of the PDF owners manual indicates there is a dash icon for low oil level.
     
    Robert Collins likes this.
  15. dustman

    dustman F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 12, 2007
    8,935
    Many thanks Balsamina.
     
  16. Balsamina

    Balsamina Formula Junior

    May 19, 2010
    927
    San Francisco Area
    Full Name:
    S
    You're welcome
     
  17. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,280
    I agree!
     
  18. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,280
    If this is cool engine then your level is perfect.

    I ve got 18000 miles on my 458 spider and never needed to add any engine oil.
     
  19. RBK

    RBK F1 Rookie

    Jul 27, 2006
    3,105
    Calif and Nev
    Full Name:
    Bob
    I have had to add oil periodically. It seems about every 2,000 miles or so. The manual provides very clear instructions. Best
     
  20. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,280
    Which model year do you own where you need to add oil every 2,000 miles?
     
  21. abz

    abz Formula 3

    Aug 27, 2006
    1,439
    PA
    Full Name:
    Al
    My 430 required about a quart every 1K miles or so (as also stated in the owners manual) but both of my 458s have never required any added oil.
     
  22. dustman

    dustman F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Jun 12, 2007
    8,935
    Spoke with dealer service manager today, confirmed dash warning icon will illuminate if needed. I have 2k on the car, said wouldn't need oil until May-July 2015, or 7k+ more miles.
    Also discussed how to get itunes music files over to flash drive and onto HDD in the car, since the owners manual is near worthless.
     
  23. MalibuGuy

    MalibuGuy F1 Veteran

    Sep 18, 2007
    5,280
    I had a 360 for seven years and logged about 70,000 miles. I checked the oil periodically and rarely needed to add oil. But to be honest, I actually could have just done nothing and the issue would be solved at the yearly oil change.

    The f430 motor is different and so it may burn or consume oil a little more. But somehow I think that if you changed the oil once a year that any loss would again be inconsequential. The large oil capacity and the scavenging and low position of the pumps mitigates any risk if being low a bottle. Pulling Gs in a series of corners with WOT, probably puts the oil cooling system to the test much more than street driving with a half or one bottle down.

    The 458 motor seems to have even less oil consumption than the 430. And again as this thread points out, there is greater harm which can be caused by inexperienced owners overfilling than inadequate oil volume.
     
  24. leead1

    leead1 F1 Rookie

    Nov 29, 2006
    2,828
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Lee
    This is what I do. I am not sure how to check it probably just a stick. Some of my cars have to be done at the gauge cluster.

    I look at the floor of my car storage area. Found an oil leak once that way.

    Best

    Lee
     
  25. SCEye

    SCEye F1 Rookie

    Aug 28, 2009
    2,950
    Norcal - Peninsula
    assuming the worst at 2L of oil, that's an extra $25/1000km. Is this a problem?
     

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