Which do you trust more?
F on the dipstick
Or
Oil and filter change capacity in the OM
F on the dipstick
Or
Oil and filter change capacity in the OM
Dipstick versus capacity
- Thread starter mjoekingz28
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I'd trust a physical measuring device any day over an idiot light/gauge.
If it called for 4 quarts and I put 4 quarts in that would be good enough for me. Altho I would check I've heard dipsticks can be off. Pulse you need to be on a flat surface.
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I use the owners manual because when I fill to the correct 6qts with a filter my dipstick shows 1/4 overfilled.
This was a common problem on 08 silverados with the 5.3L. I simply just took a small file and made another mark where 6 QTs lands.
There is about 2 QTs error in most systems so it's not and issue either way. 1Qt over isn't a problem and 1 qt low isn't a problem. For most vehicles doing normal duty, somewhere in this range is A-OK.
All of us here on BITOG are super picky, most people don't even check their oil, they just take it to the shop a couple times a year for an oil change and keep on trucking.
This was a common problem on 08 silverados with the 5.3L. I simply just took a small file and made another mark where 6 QTs lands.
There is about 2 QTs error in most systems so it's not and issue either way. 1Qt over isn't a problem and 1 qt low isn't a problem. For most vehicles doing normal duty, somewhere in this range is A-OK.
All of us here on BITOG are super picky, most people don't even check their oil, they just take it to the shop a couple times a year for an oil change and keep on trucking.
Don't most service manuals advise to check the dipstick level after an oil change? It sounds like they trust the dipstick more than the capacity in the OM. And I trust the dipstick, hence periodically checking the oil level to see if I need to top it off.
Real problems arise if you have the wrong dipstick.
Real problems arise if you have the wrong dipstick.
Generally I go by book spec, some dipsticks are off.
Originally Posted By: NMBurb02
Don't most service manuals advise to check the dipstick level after an oil change? It sounds like they trust the dipstick more than the capacity in the OM. And I trust the dipstick, hence periodically checking the oil level to see if I need to top it off.
Real problems arise if you have the wrong dipstick.
They say to check the dipstick after an oil change as a double check to assure it was done correctly.
Don't most service manuals advise to check the dipstick level after an oil change? It sounds like they trust the dipstick more than the capacity in the OM. And I trust the dipstick, hence periodically checking the oil level to see if I need to top it off.
Real problems arise if you have the wrong dipstick.
They say to check the dipstick after an oil change as a double check to assure it was done correctly.
Leo99, that is a very good idea that should follow every oil change. Probably a good idea just prior, but afterwards I remember a quik hut would show me the dipstick after the change. Good courtesy and takes some guesswork out of it.
Also, to those who drain the transmission and double the oil sump....
Also, to those who drain the transmission and double the oil sump....
When first changing the oil, I simply add what it says in the book.
When checking the oil a long time after you last changed it, forget about it if you have a Nissan--their dipsticks aren't accurate, especially on the VQ engines
When checking the oil a long time after you last changed it, forget about it if you have a Nissan--their dipsticks aren't accurate, especially on the VQ engines
Originally Posted By: mjoekingz28
Which do you trust more?
F on the dipstick
Or
Oil and filter change capacity in the OM
Shortly after an oil change, the oil and filter capacity in the OM.
After a few thousand miles, the dipstick.
Which do you trust more?
F on the dipstick
Or
Oil and filter change capacity in the OM
Shortly after an oil change, the oil and filter capacity in the OM.
After a few thousand miles, the dipstick.
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Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I'd trust a physical measuring device any day over an idiot light/gauge.
Edit:
I miss read the post. I was thinking the op meant "OM" as "oil monitor" and just now figured out he meant "owner's manual"
I'd trust a physical measuring device any day over an idiot light/gauge.
Edit:
I miss read the post. I was thinking the op meant "OM" as "oil monitor" and just now figured out he meant "owner's manual"
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
When first changing the oil, I simply add what it says in the book.
When checking the oil a long time after you last changed it, forget about it if you have a Nissan--their dipsticks aren't accurate, especially on the VQ engines
I've experienced the same issues with the nissan VQ and a few of the ford 3.8L V6 engines.
When first changing the oil, I simply add what it says in the book.
When checking the oil a long time after you last changed it, forget about it if you have a Nissan--their dipsticks aren't accurate, especially on the VQ engines
I've experienced the same issues with the nissan VQ and a few of the ford 3.8L V6 engines.
I go by the dipstick because owners manuals don't take into consideration different filters with various oil capacities. Just use the owners manual to get me close, and then the dipstick that is suppose to be accurate to get between the low and full marks.
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Originally Posted By: Leo99
They say to check the dipstick after an oil change as a double check to assure it was done correctly.
Yeah
As soon as you get a new car, change the oil with the spec capacity in the owners manual.
Immediately afterward, check the dipstick to make sure the oil level matches the spec capacity.
They say to check the dipstick after an oil change as a double check to assure it was done correctly.
Yeah
As soon as you get a new car, change the oil with the spec capacity in the owners manual.
Immediately afterward, check the dipstick to make sure the oil level matches the spec capacity.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
I even purposely overfill some cars a bit. My car calls for 3.8 quarts, I pour in 4. The Buick calls for 4.5 quarts, I pour in 5.
None of them have blown up yet, although the Buick is close!
None of them have blown up yet, although the Buick is close!
Originally Posted By: mjoekingz28
Which do you trust more?
F on the dipstick
Or
Oil and filter change capacity in the OM
So put X quarts in and never check the level?
Which do you trust more?
F on the dipstick
Or
Oil and filter change capacity in the OM
So put X quarts in and never check the level?
I always leave 1qt low at new oil change, check dipstick and mark it accordingly, add 1qt, check it again, remark if necessary. Now you know for sure where 1qt low and full is on the dipstick.
stchman,
What brings this to mind is that after changing the oil and filter, I usually notice the oil level indicates above the Full mark. Yes, after draining til it drips and pouring in the specified amount til the bottle drips!
What brings this to mind is that after changing the oil and filter, I usually notice the oil level indicates above the Full mark. Yes, after draining til it drips and pouring in the specified amount til the bottle drips!
Originally Posted By: BigD1
I go by the dipstick because owners manuals don't take into consideration different filters with various oil capacities. Just use the owners manual to get me close, and then the dipstick that is suppose to be accurate to get between the low and full marks.
This ^
I go by the dipstick because owners manuals don't take into consideration different filters with various oil capacities. Just use the owners manual to get me close, and then the dipstick that is suppose to be accurate to get between the low and full marks.
This ^
Dipstick is more accurate. It is a mechanical device that measures the height of the oil.
It operates the same as a measuring stick for drums, or other containers with liquids. These are used for all sorts of liquids from plain water to fuels and oils. These are used in many industries from military through to industrial, mining, commercial, and even home use.
The amount of oil in the system is not critical. For all practical purposes.
The height of the oil matters much more. A low oil height may cause starvation of the oil pump under extreme conditions. A high oil height may cause the crank to splash the oil causing the oil to become aerated.
It operates the same as a measuring stick for drums, or other containers with liquids. These are used for all sorts of liquids from plain water to fuels and oils. These are used in many industries from military through to industrial, mining, commercial, and even home use.
The amount of oil in the system is not critical. For all practical purposes.
The height of the oil matters much more. A low oil height may cause starvation of the oil pump under extreme conditions. A high oil height may cause the crank to splash the oil causing the oil to become aerated.
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