Overfilled Oil?

[HowAboutThis]

Changed oil a week or so ago. 4.4qts according to the manual. I always just dump the 5qt jug in and it's barely above the full mark in the past (like maybe the width of a pencil or less). Did my regular checks of oil and fluids and tire pressure today and it looked like the oil was higher than that. However, it was parked on a slight incline, the dipstick is annoying to read with fresh oil that can barely be seen, when you wipe and reinsert it streaks halfway up the dipstick, etc.

At worst, it's probably about 0.5qts overfilled. At best, hopefully it's barely above like that last many changes I've done.

Anyway, how much tolerance in a 1.8L Corolla from 2017?

 

[Dave Hess]

Don’t worry about half quart overfill.

 

[BobsArmory]

Drive it a bit then check your oil if you don't see milky/foamy oil on the stick you are good to go. I used to put an extra quart in my kids car during an oil change because it used oil and she never checked it.

 

[JavierH19]

Width of a pencil? it's probably 0.3 quarts over and I'd never worry about it. I overfilled my old trucks by 1 to 1.33 quarts which hold 6 when they used to burn a lot before a permanent switch to hdeo eventually cleaned them up and the consumption wasn't any faster or slower. No bubbles/foam either which is the important thing.

I no longer overfill them since they burn little now. My sierra still burns a bit but doesn't trigger the message during the interval and still has oil on the lower part. I once put only 2 quarts of oil in my yukon and changed the filter without pre filling it and even with 2 quarts if not 1.8 since the dry oil filter took it up it never lost oil pressure even as i was revving it to 3k and holding. I was waiting for the needle to stumble and had my hand on the key but it never did. Sounded normal too.

 

[grasscutter]

I would have dumped in the whole 5 quart bottle too.

 

[altaylar]

Drive it a bit then check your oil if you don't see milky/foamy oil on the stick you are good to go. I used to put an extra quart in my kids car during an oil change because it used oil and she never checked it.

Sound advice

 

[fantastic]

Drive it this time but next time measure out that last 0.4 quart. Plenty of ounce measuring cups you could use as your tool.

 

[demarpaint]

No worries, drive it the engine will be fine.

 

[joekingcorvette]

Yes, as other stated I would leave it alone. There are lots of vehicles that are probably a half quart over.

 

[HowAboutThis]

Checked again this morning. Like half a pencil width over the full mark. Yesterday 3 hours after driving it it looked way higher than that. The Forester is easier to read the oil level. The Corolla smears the oil on its way out unless it's the first pull after it's been sitting for hours. It's an impossible dipstick to read unless you pull first thing in the morning before driving. Especially about the first thousand miles when the oil is clean. I hate trying to check it soon after changing it. Why do some cars have such horrible dipsticks? The Forester is better, but also smears from the tube on it's way out. On road trips I'll fill with fuel, use the restroom, and try to check and it's like oil all the way up the dipstick. Maybe it's a sign I'm using great oil cause it clings so well

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[Zee09]

@Overfill

 

[Overfill]

@Overfill

Approved

 

[Overfill]

There's a guy in another thread that tastes his own oil, you might ask him if he needs a nightcap later

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Trying to get a really good true reading after just driving the vehicle can fool one. Oil needs time to flow back down to the sump.
A little extra like you mention certainly won't kill your engine.

Since you are wanting to do good reliable checks to make sure you are ok (*nothing at all is wrong with that) , have patience. Check your oil in the morning or later in the day after the vehicle has been sitting (level) a while so you are getting a good settled engine oil reading.
* I realize I have OCD when it comes to cars.
They been a part of my life and obsession since I was about 14 years old. I lose count sometimes at the amount and different vehicles my dad , my brothers & I have owned and had at the house growing up. Also since having my own place and cars trucks and boats etc....

*OCD - I see no reason why, as a retired person, anything is wrong with my over checking things. Even though these days it is rare to see people broke down along the roadways, it is good to be prepared. I would bet money the majority seen on side of the road rarely ever look into the engine compartment of their own vehicles.
I actually have a wall mounted air compressor in my garage and back yard shop. I also keep air compressors in each vehicle. Plus battery operated impact wrenches in case of issues while travelling.
OCD Again! I usually check our tires for the proper inflation at least (3) times a month. I also check the oil levels, about once a week along with looking at the coolant levels, battery posts for corrosion and the wiper wash liquids.

 

[HowAboutThis]

There's a guy in another thread that tastes his own oil, you might ask him if he needs a nightcap later

Nothing takes the edge off a hard day like a shot of 0w20. For the real rough days 15w40 racing spec.

*The contents of this post are a joke. Don't put oil in your mouth.*

 

[melk]

my K24 specs 4.4 but gets the full 5 jug

 

[Urshurak776]

My Mazda’s spec 4.8 quarts, but to get the level to the FULL line takes closer to 5.2 quarts.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

Changed oil a week or so ago. 4.4qts according to the manual. I always just dump the 5qt jug in and it's barely above the full mark in the past (like maybe the width of a pencil or less). Did my regular checks of oil and fluids and tire pressure today and it looked like the oil was higher than that. However, it was parked on a slight incline, the dipstick is annoying to read with fresh oil that can barely be seen, when you wipe and reinsert it streaks halfway up the dipstick, etc.

At worst, it's probably about 0.5qts overfilled. At best, hopefully it's barely above like that last many changes I've done.

Anyway, how much tolerance in a 1.8L Corolla from 2017?

First, my guess is you are okay but thats just a guess as I don't know that for a fact.
Please don't take this wrong but you are knowingly overfilling at each oil change and that your "norm" is just above the oil change perhaps the width of a pencil or less! Why are you overfilling?

Reminds me of how I have responded to my wife a few times over 25 years of marriage as I will say " Just because you have always done it that way don't make it right".

The owners guide in everything I own states the normal or safe oil fill is someplace in the safe zone between the low mark and the high ( FULL) mark and the book will always state and sometimes the dipstick itself will have printed DO NOT OVERFILL!

I will admit overfilling has become the norm in my experience with dealer and quick lube places ( them overfilling don't make it right ) and has become such an issue I now INSIST the dealer service writer print on my service order "Customer says DO NOT OVERFILL!

I then look at that service writer and state I will check my oil level before I leave and if its over that full mark you will fix it before I will leave today.
That normally keeps a dealer form overfilling.

As the owner of a new Harley with the M8 engine, it is known If the oil is filled to the full mark one may have an issue with oil puking into the air filter so many of us ( not all but many ) will fill our oil to 1/2 to 2/3 up on the dipstick hot max but with that and my overfill experiences in mind I would not fill my oil level to that full mark if my life depended on it, zero room for error, parking on a hill etc.
My FULL is now always in that safe zone as a target and I check my oil and top off if ever needed. I NEVER alow my oil to get LOW or HIGH...

May I suggest next time use 4.4 quarts and keep that 1/2 a quart in the trunk for top off...