Check the Engine Oil Level

There’s no dipstick under the bonnet of your Volvo S60 (225, 2018–present) — you check the engine oil electronically through the driver display. That surprises a lot of owners the first time they lift the bonnet looking for the familiar yellow loop, but it’s normal on this generation and not a sign anything is missing or broken. The catch is that an electronic reading is only as good as the conditions you take it in, so this guide walks through how to get an accurate number and how to top up safely if the level is low.

Why There’s No Dipstick

This S60 uses an electronic oil-level sensor in the sump instead of a manual dipstick. The sensor measures the oil that has drained back into the pan and reports it to the software, which then shows you a level on the driver display. That’s convenient once you understand it, but it also means the car can’t “see’’ oil you’ve just poured in or drained out until it has settled and the engine has run at temperature. Read too soon — engine cold, car parked on a slope, or straight after adding a litre — and the number will be wrong. Getting a trustworthy reading is entirely about doing the steps in the right order and giving the oil time to settle.

Getting Ready

• Park on level ground — a slope tips the oil in the sump and skews the sensor reading.
• The engine should be warm, so plan to check after a normal drive rather than first thing cold.
• Have the correct Volvo-approved oil ready if you expect to top up — check the filler cap or your handbook for the exact grade.
• Keep a funnel and a cloth to hand so you don’t overfill or spill onto hot components.
• Don’t press the accelerator or brake while switching the ignition on for the check — the goal is ignition on, engine off.

Getting an Accurate Reading

1. Drive about 30 km so the oil is warm and circulated.
2. Park on a level surface, switch the ignition off and wait 5 minutes.
3. Without pressing any pedal, press the start/stop button for ~2 seconds to switch the ignition on.
4. Scroll the driver-display menu to ‘Vehicle status’ → ‘Status’ → ‘Oil level’.
5. Read the level and top up if needed.

Topping Up

Add the correct approved oil a little at a time, re-checking between additions — don’t exceed the maximum. It’s far easier to add a second small pour than to remove oil you’ve overfilled. After an oil change, or after adding a meaningful amount, the system needs the engine run and a short drive cycle before it shows the new level accurately, so don’t panic if the reading hasn’t jumped the moment you top up.

If the Reading Won’t Settle

• Re-check on genuinely level ground — even a mild driveway camber shifts the number.
• Give it longer if you read it very soon after stopping; the 5-minute settle is a minimum, not a maximum.
• Warm the engine properly — a short cold run won’t give a representative reading.
• If a service or oil-level warning shows on the display and won’t clear, that’s a different issue from a routine level check and may point to a sensor or oil-condition fault.

What Happens Next

Once the oil is warm, the car level and the settle time observed, the displayed level should be stable and repeatable. If you’ve just topped up, take a short drive and repeat the check to confirm you’re within the safe band rather than trusting the first post-top-up reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the oil on a Volvo S60 with no dipstick?

Drive about 30 km so the oil is warm, park on level ground, switch the ignition off and wait 5 minutes, then press the start/stop button for around 2 seconds without touching the pedals and read Vehicle status → Status → Oil level in the driver display.

Why does the reading seem wrong after topping up?

The electronic sensor measures oil that has drained back into the sump, so it can’t register fresh oil until the engine has run warm and the oil has settled. Take a short drive after topping up and re-check — the new level should then show correctly.

What oil does an S60 take?

An approved grade for this engine — the exact specification and viscosity are printed on the filler cap and in your handbook. Because the diesel and petrol units differ, always match the spec for your specific car rather than a generic assumption.

Engine running or off for the check?

Ignition on, engine off, after the 5-minute settle. Press the start/stop button without pressing the brake or accelerator so the electrics wake but the engine stays off, then follow the on-screen prompt into the oil-level menu.

Does the car warn me if the oil gets low?

The display will raise an oil-level message if it drops too far, but you shouldn’t wait for that — run the manual check periodically, especially before a long trip, so you catch consumption early and top up in good time.

Can I check it stone cold in the morning?

You can look, but a cold reading isn’t representative because the oil is thick and the sensor expects a warm, settled sump. For a number you can act on, drive the car first, then park level and follow the steps.

Just done an oil change? Clear the reminder with our S60 service reset. For an oil-pressure or level warning code that won’t clear, see autodtcs.com.