Procedure for Checking Oil Level | FerrariChat
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Procedure for Checking Oil Level

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by ronc123, Jul 6, 2025.

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  1. ronc123

    ronc123 Karting

    Jan 12, 2008
    80
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #1 ronc123, Jul 6, 2025
    I have a new-to-me 1990 Testarossa, USA version. I have read the owner's manual on checking the oil level and comments in this section. Does the following step-by-step procedure mirror what owners do to check their oil level? Your comments are most appreciated.

    1. Car is warmed up and running at temperature.
    2. Turn car off and quickly open the rear deck lid.
    3. Unscrew the oil filler cap and wipe the dipstick clean with a rag.
    4. Insert the oil filler cap and screw it back into place.
    5. Immediately unscrew the cap and ensure that the oil level is within the min/max level.
    6 Screw the cap back in and you are done...
     
  2. lagunacc

    lagunacc F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 24, 2013
    4,330
    #2 lagunacc, Jul 6, 2025
    Yes. When cold that corresponds to the bottom of the dipstick.
     
  3. EDoug

    EDoug Formula Junior

    Apr 19, 2005
    265
    Southern Florida
    #3 EDoug, Jul 6, 2025
    Ron, a finer point is NOT to keep your oil level near the max. Search crankcase ventilation on this forum. EDoug
     
    Rifledriver and Threeofnine like this.
  4. Tifoso1

    Tifoso1 F1 Rookie

    Nov 18, 2003
    2,602
    Pacific NW
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    Anthony C.
    #4 Tifoso1, Jul 7, 2025 at 11:53 AM
    I have also been taught that with dry sump engines; you should check oil level while the engine is running. This poses a little more risk with front engine cars but in the case of the Testarossa series, not so much since you can access the dip stick to the reservoir from the side.
     
  5. Threeofnine

    Threeofnine Formula Junior

    Dec 11, 2020
    393
    Birmingham, AL USA
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    Jarrod Heath
    #5 Threeofnine, Jul 7, 2025 at 12:52 PM
    You’re not supposed to keep the oil near max? What is a good level, maybe halfway? I tried searching crankcase ventilation but nothing popped up. Could you link a thread?
     
  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,050
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    Brian Crall
    #6 Rifledriver, Jul 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
    What you should have been taught is to do it the factory way. Ferraris way is NOT with the engine running.
     
    bernieb likes this.
  7. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,050
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
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    Brian Crall
    #7 Rifledriver, Jul 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
    The car holds 3 1/2 gallons of oil. A quart or 2 low means nothing. Overfilled is a disaster.
    Dont even consider checking it below 170-180 degrees. Warmed up means oil temp, not water temp.
    Dont bother screwing cap on while checking.
     
    bernieb, ago car nut and Threeofnine like this.
  8. ronc123

    ronc123 Karting

    Jan 12, 2008
    80
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #8 ronc123, Jul 12, 2025 at 3:55 PM
    I followed the oil checking procedure I outlined in this post. When I checked the oil level, it was about 2 millimeters above the MIN mark on the dipstick. Should I add a half quart of oil, or even a full quart? How many quarts of oil between the MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick? What is the recommended oil to use? Thanks.
     
  9. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
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    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    #9 Steve Magnusson, Jul 12, 2025 at 4:31 PM
    MIN to MAX is 2 liters (or 2.1 qts) -- see "Lubricants and Liquids" in Section 1 of your OM. Put 1 qt in and call it good.
     
    turbo-joe likes this.

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