where do you like your oil level?

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Do you try to keep it at the minimum, maximum, or right in the middle of the range? I like to keep my cars right at the Max line, in case the oil level drops a bit. My cars dip stick range is around an inch. Seems like you could eek out a little better mileage by keeping the bare minimum in. Less oil getting thrown around by the crank.
 
owners manual says 5.5qt

I add that then check the next day.. usually end up adding .25 to .5qt to the full line.
 
On the stick.
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For me: No lower than halfway on the crosshatch on anything. I like to keep at the top of the crosshatch or a hair under that.
 
I have 2007 Mazda3 with 2.0liter engine. Manual says oil+filter change takes 4.5 quarts (note: it's not dry fill, dryfill takes 4.9quarts so says factory manual). I put 4.5 quarts in, but the dipstick shows half inch over max line. No one knows which is correct, including Mazda. All Mazda manuals for that motor says 4.5.

I "believe" the dip stick is cut to the wrong length.
 
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The motor in my Silverado likes to run with the oil level at about 1/4 notch down from the full mark for some reason. I can top it off and it will go right back to the same place. So that is where I leave it.
 
Originally Posted By: 4n0d1z3d
Do you try to keep it at the minimum, maximum, or right in the middle of the range? I like to keep my cars right at the Max line, in case the oil level drops a bit. My cars dip stick range is around an inch. Seems like you could eek out a little better mileage by keeping the bare minimum in. Less oil getting thrown around by the crank.


x2. I like to make sure the oil level is ALWAYS completely full and topped off at all times. I run my cars HARD (cornering hard, accelerating and braking hard) and want to keep the oil level @ the proper place to insure there is plenty of lube in the block at all times.

Topping off when the level is slightly low is a good thing, in my book and adds essential additives to refresh the oil.
 
Originally Posted By: windeye
I have 2007 Mazda3 with 2.0liter engine. Manual says oil+filter change takes 4.5 quarts (note: it's not dry fill, dryfill takes 4.9quarts so says factory manual). I put 4.5 quarts in, but the dipstick shows half inch over max line. No one knows which is correct, including Mazda. All Mazda manuals for that motor says 4.5.

I "believe" the dip stick is cut to the wrong length.


It's possible, but have you ever noticed it reading way high the first time you pull the dipstick out? It often does on my Mazda3, so I figured I'd mention it as something to look for.

I keep my oil level near the max line. A little over or a little under, as long as it's close.
 
I keep mine above the full line, my Civic calls for 3.7L of oil but I put in an even 4L at oil change time. My Corvette calls for 6.5 quarts but I've been putting in 7.5 quarts of oil on most oil changes, as the manual even says it's safe to add an extra quart when racing.
 
I like mine just slighly above the full line, maybe 1/4 to 1/3 quart over-full.

Just a wee bit of extra oil for extra cooling/start-up lube....
 
there is room for error in this department, you can run at the bottom of the mark, or at the bottom of the stick, OR you can run at the top of the mark or over the cross hatchess by a good margin and your still fairly safe.. as long as theres enuff oil in there for the oil pickup to pump your ok (although im not saying running 3 quarts in a 6 quart system is safe or the best idea) you get the drift.. your engine wont implode one way or the other unless you get extreme..

(im also not recomending running 8 quarts in your 6 quart system either).. just use your head.
 
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