Changed the oil and filter in 2000 Ford Escort 2.0 SOHC. Listed as 4.0 quarts capacity with filter. Actually took 4.5 to get it to full mark. Never had a car that was off by this much before. Is this a common thing? What might be the reason? I'd think Ford would have this important stat down right. A web search reports others experiencing the same thing.
Listed Oil Capacity Wrong in Ford 2.0
- Thread starter astronomy
- Start date
- Status
I see it often that the amount listed in the book is off by a small amount, but I've also seen, for example, if a car specs 5 quarts, one would take 5 and one would take 5.5, same model and everything. Not much of a rhyme or reason to it that I can see
Originally Posted By: astronomy
C Never had a car that was off by this much before. Is this a common thing?
It happens. For example, according to owner's manual, our C300 4matic takes 8.5 quarts but in reality it only takes 7.4 quarts due to a different shape of the oil pan on the 4matics. Alas, even the MB dealers don't seem to know this and constantly overfill these poor engines.
C Never had a car that was off by this much before. Is this a common thing?
It happens. For example, according to owner's manual, our C300 4matic takes 8.5 quarts but in reality it only takes 7.4 quarts due to a different shape of the oil pan on the 4matics. Alas, even the MB dealers don't seem to know this and constantly overfill these poor engines.
Not 4 litres? or maybe filter capacity? My honda is down a 1/3 qt from top of DS when refilled to specified amount of 3.5L. Any where between full and low line is the operating range - to the top line may be some "overfill" capacity.
I used the Motorcraft filter, and it's not that big. Doubt it could hold more than 1/2 a quart. The DOHC version is listed at 4.5. Maybe they run out of oil pans for the SOHC and bolt on ones from the DOHC version as the need arises?
Think I should just fill it with 4 (which puts it about mid way on the stick) and leave it at that?
Think I should just fill it with 4 (which puts it about mid way on the stick) and leave it at that?
I noticed that my 3.5 Ecoboost seems overfilled when 6 Quarts is added as per the book. Has anyone else seen that? I am going to use 5 next time and check what it takes to get to full. This time, I confirmed that the FF was pretty much the same level as my fill.
I go to full line.
My 2011 Focus has 4.5 quarts listed in the OM. 4.5 quarts will bring it to the bottom of the dipstick (including priming filter). I just put the whole 5 quart jug in and call it a day. That brings it up to the top of the crosshatch area.
The SOHC and DOHC engines are very different. If you have the SOHC engine, look into preventing the valve seat problem that they have.
The SOHC and DOHC engines are very different. If you have the SOHC engine, look into preventing the valve seat problem that they have.
Last edited:
The factory spec is 4.0 qts, that puts the oil level in the middle of the operating range. My f150 specs 6 qts and its in the middle of the operating range also. If you want to add an additional .5 qt that is up to you but there is nothing wrong with the spec or dipstick.
My CR-V calls for 4.5 and actually takes 5 to get it to the Fill line.
That makes sense, but if I were a manufacturer, I'd mark the dipstick midway as "full" and the half quart up or down as "operating range" or "safe range" or something like that. To me, top of the marked dipstick has always meant manufacturers preferred capacity, and not 1/2 over. I think almost everyone would expect that to be the case.
Originally Posted By: astronomy
I'd mark the dipstick midway as "full" and the half quart up or down as "operating range" or "safe range". .... Top of the marked dipstick has always meant manufacturers preferred capacity, and not 1/2 over.
Astronomy:
Do you believe that going over the full mark WILL cause aeration problems or is there likely a margin of error (say 1/4 to 1/3 quart) where there aren't any issues going over the full mark?
I'd mark the dipstick midway as "full" and the half quart up or down as "operating range" or "safe range". .... Top of the marked dipstick has always meant manufacturers preferred capacity, and not 1/2 over.
Astronomy:
Do you believe that going over the full mark WILL cause aeration problems or is there likely a margin of error (say 1/4 to 1/3 quart) where there aren't any issues going over the full mark?
Difference in this case would be a half quart. Would that cause a problem? I doubt it, but it's never been my practice to overfill anything without a reason. Maybe Ford wants to prevent people from running low so they built this range in. I'm OK with that, but they should at least inform me of their plan.
Originally Posted By: Coprolite
I noticed that my 3.5 Ecoboost seems overfilled when 6 Quarts is added as per the book. Has anyone else seen that? I am going to use 5 next time and check what it takes to get to full. This time, I confirmed that the FF was pretty much the same level as my fill.
6 with a mc filter put my Eco right at the full mark.
I noticed that my 3.5 Ecoboost seems overfilled when 6 Quarts is added as per the book. Has anyone else seen that? I am going to use 5 next time and check what it takes to get to full. This time, I confirmed that the FF was pretty much the same level as my fill.
6 with a mc filter put my Eco right at the full mark.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2010
- Messages
- 2,451
Originally Posted By: Chris Meutsch
My CR-V calls for 4.5 and actually takes 5 to get it to the Fill line.
All of my Honda/Acura vehicles have been dead on what the haynes manual says, like down to it being 3.9 quarts of oil for my old civic, lol.
I never seem to get an owners manual though so I am unsure what capacity it says.
My CR-V calls for 4.5 and actually takes 5 to get it to the Fill line.
All of my Honda/Acura vehicles have been dead on what the haynes manual says, like down to it being 3.9 quarts of oil for my old civic, lol.
I never seem to get an owners manual though so I am unsure what capacity it says.
Last edited by a moderator:
I've always just filled to the "F" or the top of the crosshatch and called it a day.
The owner's manual for my '94 Thunderbird SuperCoupe (long since sold) actually said that the listed capacity was "approximate" and that the correct quantity for refill should be determined by the dipstick (I assume they were referring to me
).
The owner's manual for my '94 Thunderbird SuperCoupe (long since sold) actually said that the listed capacity was "approximate" and that the correct quantity for refill should be determined by the dipstick (I assume they were referring to me
Originally Posted By: astronomy
That makes sense, but if I were a manufacturer, I'd mark the dipstick midway as "full" and the half quart up or down as "operating range" or "safe range" or something like that. To me, top of the marked dipstick has always meant manufacturers preferred capacity, and not 1/2 over. I think almost everyone would expect that to be the case.
FORD ususlly states in the owners manual that overfilling will damage the engine and the oil MUST be removed to at or below the fill line. Over fill is WAY WAY worse than a bit under.
The big Q is when is the sump REALLY overfilled. Depends ... ...
That makes sense, but if I were a manufacturer, I'd mark the dipstick midway as "full" and the half quart up or down as "operating range" or "safe range" or something like that. To me, top of the marked dipstick has always meant manufacturers preferred capacity, and not 1/2 over. I think almost everyone would expect that to be the case.
FORD ususlly states in the owners manual that overfilling will damage the engine and the oil MUST be removed to at or below the fill line. Over fill is WAY WAY worse than a bit under.
The big Q is when is the sump REALLY overfilled. Depends ... ...
- Status
