Check the Engine Oil Level (No Dipstick)

Your Jaguar F-Type (2013–present) has no dipstick — you check the engine oil level electronically, through the driver display. It catches owners out, because there is nothing to pull, wipe and read under the bonnet. Instead a sensor in the sump feeds a level readout to the instrument cluster, and once you know where to look the whole check takes about a minute. Keeping the oil topped up matters on the F-Type’s supercharged V6 and V8 engines, which work hard and run hot, so it is worth doing regularly rather than waiting for a warning to appear. This is a normal owner check, not a sign of a fault — the electronic gauge simply replaces the metal stick that older cars used.

How the Electronic Oil Check Works on This Car

Rather than a dipstick, the F-Type carries an oil-level sensor in the sump that reports to the driver information display. Because the reading is taken from oil sitting in the pan, the car needs a moment for the oil to drain back down before the measurement is meaningful — take a reading straight after switching off, or with the car parked on a slope, and the figure will be misleadingly low or the system will simply refuse to show one. Treat the display value as the equivalent of a dipstick mark: it tells you whether you are near the top of the range, near the bottom, or somewhere in between, so you can decide whether to add oil.

Before You Check

For an accurate electronic reading the car needs to be set up correctly:

• Parked on level ground — a slope tips the oil in the sump and skews the reading.
• At operating temperature — drive it, then let it stand a few minutes so the oil drains back into the sump.
• With the engine off when you take the reading.
• Have the correct oil to hand before you start, so you are not topping up with whatever is in the garage.
• Keep a cloth handy for the filler cap — a hot engine bay means hot surfaces.

Checking the Oil Level

1. Switch the ignition on (engine off).
2. Scroll the driver information display to the vehicle/service menu.
3. Select the engine oil level readout.
4. The display shows the level on a scale. Top up only if it reads low, a little at a time, re-checking as you go — don’t overfill.

Use the oil specification on the filler cap or in the handbook — it differs between the supercharged V6 and V8 engines, so don’t assume one grade covers both. Add in small measures, let the oil settle, then re-read the display before adding more; it is far easier to add a little than to remove an overfill.

If the Reading Looks Wrong or Won’t Show

• ‘Not available’ or a ‘measuring’ message usually means the engine is still too hot, the oil hasn’t drained back, or the car isn’t level — let it stand a few minutes on flat ground and retry.
• A reading that jumps around often means you checked too soon after switching off; give the oil longer to settle.
• Don’t overfill — add small amounts and recheck; too much oil can be as damaging as too little on these engines.
• Oil warning light on? Stop and investigate — a red oil-pressure warning is not the same as a low-level message and means stop the engine now; a stored code can be read on autodtcs.com.

After the Check

If you added oil, run the engine briefly, switch off, let it stand and re-read the display to confirm you are inside the range rather than over it. Wipe any spills from the engine bay — oil on hot components can smoke. Note roughly how much the car used between checks; a car that needs regular top-ups is worth keeping an eye on, and a sudden change in consumption is a reason to have it looked at.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the oil on a Jaguar F-Type without a dipstick?

Switch the ignition on with the engine off, then use the driver display menu to open the engine oil level readout. The car uses an electronic sensor in the sump instead of a dipstick, so the level appears on a scale in the cluster rather than on a metal stick.

Should the engine be hot or cold?

Warm it up by driving, then switch off and let it stand a few minutes on level ground so the oil drains back into the sump. A reading taken cold, or straight after switching off, will be inaccurate or simply won’t display.

How much oil do I add?

Add a little at a time and re-check the display between top-ups. It is much easier to add another small amount than to correct an overfill, and too much oil can cause problems on these supercharged engines, so build the level up gradually rather than pouring in a full bottle.

What oil does the F-Type use?

The correct grade is engine-specific and differs between the V6 and V8, so use the specification printed on the filler cap or listed in your handbook. Don’t assume a single grade suits every F-Type engine.

Why does the display say the oil level is not available?

That message usually means the engine is too hot, the oil hasn’t settled, or the car isn’t level. Let it stand for a few minutes on flat ground with the engine off, then try the readout again.

Do I still need to change the oil if it reads full?

Yes — the level check only tells you there is enough oil, not that it is still in good condition. Keep to the service schedule for oil and filter changes regardless of what the level readout shows.

If you’d like to decode a related warning, our sister site autodtcs.com can help.