KIA Soul oil level reading is different

The oil level was LOW ( photo above ) from the factory . Wonder if this occurred with other KIA vehicles past and present , especially the '25 Soul or earlier ( '20 - 24 ) with the 2.0 Ltr. w/ M.P.I.. Hopefully it won't get much lower . Plan to change oil with P.U.P. 0w-20 ) and filter ( undecided ) before 1,000 miles and then later at 5,000 > 6,000 miles ( spring of '25 ) .

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Checked yesterday . Used the method with oil cap off and dipstick out while waiting 15 minutes to drain into pan . The SOUL is in its early break period of 600 miles ( 268 mis. ) . The 2.0 Ltr. engine gets 4.23 quarts . How much do you think is in it and what it would take to get near or at the FULL mark . Or should I stay at this LEVEL ? Never encountered this low amount in a new engine . Should I change the oil and filter below the break in period of 600 miles ? Would be using P.U.P. 0w-20 and CARQUEST Premium 85334 or MICROGUARD MSL51334 .

Car was driven both times for 25.4 miles before checking the LEVEL .

10/23 Wednesday evening .

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10/25 Firday evening .

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My Soul 2.0 holds 4.23 qts also. But I feed it 4.5 quarts to reach the full-mark on the dipstick. I always check cold and never even bring a paper towel. All I do is pull the dipstick - read it - reinsert and close the hood. It'll show me when it's not Full. I have to use HPL's Best PCMO Blends or top-tier Mobil-1 Blends to fend-off consumption.

I've owned many new vehicles. This one is most sensitive in telltale engine sounds and oil drinkabilities.
Dr. Frakenblend to the rescue. Thankfully I've been blending since 1970 and gotten real good at it.
 
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Drove about 30 miles and let it sit about 45 minutes in 40 degree temps and the oil level is the same as above . 😌
 
Checked again last night and LEVEL is at FULL mark . It was driven for 22 miles and took a look about 2 hours later and used old method of checking the LEVEL , not what's stated in owner's manual ( Below ) .

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As long as the level is between the min and max lines, there is nothing to worry about. I would not overthink the measuring method. Just pick one and stick with it.

I personally prefer to check the level with a cold engine, usually after it sat overnight. I get the most consistent reading this way and the dipstick is usually easier to read as well.
 
As long as the level is between the min and max lines, there is nothing to worry about. I would not overthink the measuring method. Just pick one and stick with it.

I personally prefer to check the level with a cold engine, usually after it sat overnight. I get the most consistent reading this way and the dipstick is usually easier to read as well.
Exactly. It's a minimum and maximum line today, not a full line. That's why modern dipsticks don't say full on them anymore.
Some engines refilled with the specified amount of oil will never read at the maximum line, some do depending on makers calibration of the dipstick.
Just like driving, keep it between the lines Jimmy.
 
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