Hey folks,

Been seeing an intermittent ‘oil level low’ warning, so thought I’d better check the oil level.   Problem is the dipstick is fighting me haha.  I have to use a lot of force (not too much that I’ll snap it so far) to get the stick back into the pipe.   Similarly I have to use a bit of force to get it out.   
 

By the time I do, there’s oil all over the stock so it’s hard to get an accurate read.   Initially after 3 similar level readings (below the minimum mark - though the oil warning light only very intermittently comes on) I put half a litre of oil in, thinking it’s not too much but enough to add a wee bit until I take it in for a service (next couple of weeks if I can book it in).

now trying to get a confirmatory reading from the stick is murder. 
 

is the mondeo dipstick always this much of a pain?

Hello Lat, I can't begin to think what the problem could be with the dip stick, unless of course it's the wrong one for your model.

The oil warning light is for Pressure, not for oil Level. So if you are getting the oil pressure intermittently coming on that is very worrying. It can be caused by extremely low oil level, but is normally a sign of oil pump failure, or a blockage in the oil filter. You need to get it to a garage quickly.

8 hours ago, unofix said:

Hello Lat, I can't begin to think what the problem could be with the dip stick, unless of course it's the wrong one for your model.

The oil warning light is for Pressure, not for oil Level. So if you are getting the oil pressure intermittently coming on that is very worrying. It can be caused by extremely low oil level, but is normally a sign of oil pump failure, or a blockage in the oil filter. You need to get it to a garage quickly.

Hey Unofix,

sorry I think I may have miscommunicated.  The message in my left tft screen states “oil level low”, and it’s one of those warning messages that pops up (same as the windscreen fluid low message), rather than a warning light as such.

The dipstick thing is a pain, I’ve had the car since new so it should be the correct stick.  
 

im going to book it in for a service as soon as possible.  It’s due one in the next month or 2 anyway.   

Is it the dipstick with the 'flat end' on those?  They can get caught in the bend of the dipstick tube.  Not a brilliant design tbh!  If possible try and insert it so it's bending on the flat rather than the edge...if that makes sense!

 

9 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Is it the dipstick with the 'flat end' on those?  They can get caught in the bend of the dipstick tube.  Not a brilliant design tbh!  If possible try and insert it so it's bending on the flat rather than the edge...if that makes sense!

 

Yeah, I think it does.  It basically fights me all the way in and out…..I’ll try your suggestion, thanks.  🙂

When Ford service the car, do they change oil filters, air filters, oil etc?

I basically bought my company car and this will be the first time in about 20 years I’ve had to deal with car servicing myself.

50 minutes ago, The Latman said:

When Ford service the car, do they change oil filters, air filters, oil etc?

I basically bought my company car and this will be the first time in about 20 years I’ve had to deal with car servicing myself.

Ford main dealers follow the recommended service schedule.  So it will depend on age and mileage which items are changed.  The only thing changed at every scheduled service is the oil and oil filter.  For example, air and fuel filters are around every 3 years (dependant on engine).

For a car out of warranty, you can choose an 'Essential' service instead of a scheduled service if you prefer.  The essential service is a fixed set of items that are checked or replaced.

You can also use a Ford specialist or an independent garage who may just change all filters on a 'Major' service.

22 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Ford main dealers follow the recommended service schedule.  So it will depend on age and mileage which items are changed.  The only thing changed at every scheduled service is the oil and oil filter.  For example, air and fuel filters are around every 3 years (dependant on engine).

For a car out of warranty, you can choose an 'Essential' service instead of a scheduled service if you prefer.  The essential service is a fixed set of items that are checked or replaced.

You can also use a Ford specialist or an independent garage who may just change all filters on a 'Major' service.

Thanks bud, was looking at the ‘essential service’ on the Ford site.   Didn’t state a price though.  How much do they tend to be?  The scheduled service at my local dealer is £140.

I was going to visit my local dealer to book the car in, I can do it on their site but don’t offer me the option of a courtesy car, unlike the essential service at the same dealer from the Ford site.  
What really confuses me is that the local dealer has no slots, yet according to the Ford site, they have plenty.  Hence why I was gonna visit them.  

12 hours ago, The Latman said:

Thanks bud, was looking at the ‘essential service’ on the Ford site.   Didn’t state a price though.  How much do they tend to be?  The scheduled service at my local dealer is £140.

I was going to visit my local dealer to book the car in, I can do it on their site but don’t offer me the option of a courtesy car, unlike the essential service at the same dealer from the Ford site.  
What really confuses me is that the local dealer has no slots, yet according to the Ford site, they have plenty.  Hence why I was gonna visit them.  

Essential service is around £190 now.  At just £140 for the scheduled, that sounds like a minor service, just oil & filter.

The online service booking does seem a bit weird, have seen people say that both price & availability can be different when contacting them directly.

9 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Essential service is around £190 now.  At just £140 for the scheduled, that sounds like a minor service, just oil & filter.

The online service booking does seem a bit weird, have seen people say that both price & availability can be different when contacting them directly.

Yeah, it’s weird that you can’t book an essential service via the dealer, but from the Ford site.  
 

thanks for the help pal.   Appreciated