5qt oil jugs

Joined
Mar 18, 2008
Messages
153
Location
KC MO
Maybe its just me but has anyone else noticed that the 5 qt jugs seem to be underfilled lately? Over the past 6 months with 3 different oil changes on the same vehicles that have always used right at 4.5 qts to the fill mark after running and topping off are now taking the full 5 qt jug to be full. Next time I think I will mark the level of the jug and refill afterwards and double check, but this last time I was pushed for time and forgot about it. Maybe its just me....
 
I definitely want my full five quarts. On the other hand, I appreciate the extra space in the jug for taking used oil to the recyclers when I change one of the "six quart" cars or throw a lawn equipment oil change in. But to answer your question, I have not noticed a problem getting short-changed on the fill... and I am one of those BITOG types very serious about getting the oil level absolutely correct.
 
I always turn the jugs on the shelf to see the clear part and I've seen one be about 4.1-4.2 quarts which I thought was kind of absurd that they could be that underfilled. Can't do that with most hdeo jugs so I just get whatever they have. But checking the clear part on 5qt ones is one of the things I get all particular about including always draining most of the oil out then shaking the jug real good before pouring the rest in.
 
Those are 5 litre jugs filled to the 5 US quart line.
Are we buying oil by volume or weight?
If so, 20w50 weighs more than 0w30 and if filled to the line, you’re getting more for your
money with the thicker grades.
 
I’ve not noticed and what about the 16.5 lb ace hardware propane fill sold as 20.

The 52 Oz half gallon OJ is a powerful concept. Wonder how often it happens with gasoline. A inexplicable dip in mpgs would be an indicator (how many actually track, many look at the dash which is unaffected).
 
I always turn the jugs on the shelf to see the clear part and I've seen one be about 4.1-4.2 quarts which I thought was kind of absurd that they could be that underfilled. Can't do that with most hdeo jugs so I just get whatever they have. But checking the clear part on 5qt ones is one of the things I get all particular about including always draining most of the oil out then shaking the jug real good before pouring the rest in.
I agree and you can compare 2 jugs side by side too.
 
I agree and you can compare 2 jugs side by side too.
Hard to know what the root cause is. We buy spring water in the gal jug. Often 10+ when it’s $0.78 on sale.

Once, I found a puddle in the basement and was puzzled. I figured out that a good % of these jugs have caps that were never opened, but they are not on tight. So now I check. Seems there is a lot to check nowadays. I did get used motor oil at Walmart years ago. Because Pennzoil doesn’t have foil seals. At least they didn’t.
 
Best thing you can do is contact whatever state agency that deals with weights and measurements. Most are fanatical in drilling down and fining companies that regularly under fill and do not match their stated weight and capacity.
 
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