Check the Engine Oil Level (No Dipstick)

Your Range Rover Velar (2017–present) has no dipstick — you check the engine oil level electronically, through the driver display. It catches a lot of owners out at first, because there’s simply nothing to pull out of the engine and wipe. Instead a sensor in the sump feeds the level straight to the instrument cluster, and you read it from a menu. Once you know where to look it takes a minute, and it’s a normal part of looking after the car — not a sign anything is wrong. Here’s how to get an accurate reading.

Why There’s No Dipstick

The Velar uses an electronic oil-level sensor in the sump in place of a traditional dipstick. Rather than checking a physical stick, you ask the car for the reading and it displays the level on a scale in the instrument cluster. The catch is that the sensor only gives a trustworthy figure under the right conditions: the oil has to have warmed up and then settled back into the sump, and the vehicle has to be sitting level so the surface of the oil is flat over the sensor. Get those conditions right and the electronic reading is at least as reliable as a dipstick — get them wrong and you’ll see a ‘not available’ message or a reading that looks off. That is why the preparation below matters as much as the menu steps.

Before You Check

For an accurate electronic reading the Velar needs to be:

• On level ground — a slope tilts the oil away from the sensor and skews the result;
• 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;
• parked with the handbrake on and in Park so you can work at the display safely;
• topped up only with an oil that meets the correct specification — have the right grade to hand before you start.

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 — don’t overfill.

Use the oil specification on the filler cap / in the handbook — it differs between the petrol and diesel Velar engines. Add through the filler cap on the top of the engine, giving fresh oil a moment to drain down before you re-read the level, and stop as soon as the display reads correct.

If the Reading Looks Wrong

• ‘Not available’ or ‘measuring’ usually means the engine is too hot, hasn’t settled, or the car isn’t level — let it stand and retry on flat ground.
• Reading jumps between checks — give the oil longer to drain back and always compare readings taken under the same warm, level, engine-off conditions.
• Don’t overfill — add small amounts and recheck; too much oil is as harmful as too little on these engines.
• Oil warning light on? Stop and investigate — a pressure warning differs from a low-level message; a code can be read on autodtcs.com.

After You’ve Checked

Once the display reads correctly, wipe any drips from the filler neck, make sure the cap is fully seated, and switch the ignition off. If you added oil, it’s worth re-checking the level again after your next short drive and settle, since a top-up needs time to work its way down. Keeping an eye on the reading every few weeks helps you spot a slow consumption trend early.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the oil on a Range Rover Velar without a dipstick?

With the ignition on and the engine off, use the driver display menu to open the vehicle/service section and read the engine oil level. The Velar has an electronic sensor in the sump instead of a dipstick, so the level appears on a scale in the cluster rather than on a physical stick.

Should the engine be hot or cold?

Warm it first, then let it stand a few minutes on level ground so the oil settles back into the sump before you read. A cold engine or one checked immediately after switching off can give a ‘not available’ message or an inaccurate figure.

How much oil do I add?

Add a little at a time, giving it a moment to drain down and re-checking the display after each pour. Never overfill — on these engines too much oil can cause its own problems, so it’s always safer to creep up to the correct level than to overshoot.

What oil does the Velar use?

The grade is engine-specific and differs between the petrol and diesel versions, so use exactly what is listed on the filler cap or in the handbook. Matching the correct specification matters for the engine’s emissions and after-treatment systems, not just lubrication.

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

That message almost always means the conditions aren’t right yet — the engine is too hot, the oil hasn’t drained back, or the car isn’t level. Move to flat ground, let it stand for a few minutes and try again rather than assuming a fault.

Can I still check the oil if the car won’t reach temperature?

The electronic reading is designed to be taken warm and settled, so a very short trip may not let it report properly. Drive long enough for the engine to reach normal running temperature, then let it stand before reading for the most reliable result.

If a service reminder is showing, see our Velar service-indicator reset guide.