Covered around 2,600 miles now in MY03 WRX.

Checked the oil level this morning (after a 20 minute drive) and noticed the level was at the 'L' mark.

Sounds like I need to top the level up, but I don't want to overfill - anyone got any ideas of the quantity I should add or should I do the 'add a bit and check, add a bit more and check again' process?

 

I thought you should only check the oil when the engine is cold so that it is all in sump and you will get an acurate reading. (Just what my Subaru dealer told me)

 

Oh, in that case I'll check it again in about an hour, once it has cooled properly

Thanks.

 

Yup, only check when cold. AFAIK there's a 0.5l difference between the low and high marks.

 

Swan - thanks, I'll make sure I don't put too much in at once!

 

When it's warm, it expands, and you get a higher reading.
When you've just switched off the engine the oil needs time to run back into the sump. Best time is when the engine is completely cold, before starting the car at all.

BTW, what are you topping it up with? The manual (I think) says 5W30, but my 1k service receipt has SHELL HELIX PLUS 10/ something on it.