Trusting the dipstick?

[dlundblad]

My assumption is that the space between the add and fill marks on most dipsticks of vehicles sold in the US is equal to a quart.

Assuming my assumption is correct and according to the dipstick, her 2002 Volvo was down 2/3 of a quart. I had to add a little under 1 quart to get it about 1/8" below the full mark.

The dipstick reading has always been slightly off, but never enough to worry about. The car holds 6 quarts, but after filling it, the dipstick always read about 1/8" above the full line.

This is my first "extended" OCI with her car. 6 months regardless of mileage that should equal 4-5k. The level always went slowly down after the mileage increased, but I never added oil with the short 3k OCI's.

The car is a 2002 Volvo S60 with the 2.4t
Mahle filter and Mobil 1 0w40
It is short tripped. Might see 750 miles a month in mainly city driving with a few highway runs in between.

 

[4wheeldog]

Your assumption is not always correct. With 6 quart sump, the distance between low and full might be 1.5 or even 2 quarts. It also may not be linear.

Also.......1/8" over is probably not a problem, but your assumption that the dipstick is off is unlikely. For whatever reason, you are not getting all the oil that Volvo expects you to get out, when you drain it. Really a none issue.

 

[zach1900]

On the Camry it's not a full qt. Its like 20 ounces. I actually confirmed the owner's manual was right. 4qts puts it probably 1/8 past the full mark.

 

[HerrStig]

Perhaps your "assumption" ought to be checked against the owner's manual.

 

[Eddie]

For a Volvo the distance may be one liter or fraction of a liter. In addition; I agree that the space between add and full is probably not linear.

 

[OneEyeJack]

You could try your assumption out during your next oil change. Then you'd know for sure.

 

[Rand]

On my forester its 1-liter and close to linear.

 

[donnyj08]

My Silverado dipstick is way off. 6 QTs according to the book puts it 1/2" over filled on the dipstick. I just made a new mark to mark full.

 

[rslifkin]

The Jeep dipstick is pretty close. Spec is 5 quarts with filter, I usually put in just under that to get to the full mark (after it's been run to fill the filter and the oil settles back to the pan). Distance between add and full marks is just about a quart.

 

[oldhp]

Next time you change oil only put in 5qts. You now know what 1qt low looks like on the dipstick. Add 1qt, you now know what "full" is. Done.

 

[raytseng]

i posted this to previous thread,

But why would "Low" be exactly 1 quart (or 1 liter) below full.

There's no technical or mechanical reason, that number is an arbitrary unit made by humans. Every engine is different, and should have a different "low" mark meaning "minimum" oil where it can still run normally.

Some cars should be able to run a little more than 1quart down, just as others should die or experience wear if they're 1quart down.

 

[Quest]

Think w/ your dipstick, Jimmy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pcqVQe-4z0

Q.

 

[Bgallagher]

Fill it to the safe range, drive it for a few days then top it off.

 

[BrocLuno]

The dipstick represents the safe range for the sump to cover the oil pump pick-up screen in most situations including Lombard St in SF and similar steep inclines plus starting acceleration, or braking decel... It's an engineering level.

It often equates to 1 qt or liter, but not always ...

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: oldhp
Next time you change oil only put in 5qts. You now know what 1qt low looks like on the dipstick. Add 1qt, you now know what "full" is. Done.



FTW!!!

 

[Eddie]

The reason the add to full dimention is a Q or L is simple. Oil comes in quarts or liter bottles. We have way too much unproductive free time if we spend it on world class problems like this. )

 

[901Memphis]

I always fill mine perfectly to full on the first try and don't burn any between changes.

Takes 4.5 quarts with new filter and 4 quarts if I leave the filter

 

[CT8]

When the oil level get to the add line you add what ever amount it takes to bring the oil level to the full line.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Nissan's dipsticks certainly can't be trusted.

 

[Astro_Guy]

The specs for that engine call for a 5w30, so why the 0w40?