john blutarski
Member
- :
- 2004 Subaru WRX STI
I thought so too but our owner's manual says to get it to operating temp, then shut off, let sit five minutes and then check it.
Seals aren't bad, too much oil
- Thread starter staples187
- Start date
I thought so too but our owner's manual says to get it to operating temp, then shut off, let sit five minutes and then check it.
See, that's what I was concerned with. If you check the oil while it's cold, then all of the oil is in the pan and not partially covering the engine components which is going to incorrectly show a low level. So, you add oil which screws things up a bit.
In order to truly try and diagnose this issue (as much as you can on the web), then you have to figure out how the test is being conducted.
It's like trying to know when you're supposed to check your tire pressure. It's the opposite of this and should be checked cold. Wait....right?
mazdaspeed32007
Member
- :
- Mazdaspeed3
your supposed to always check your car at operating temp....so yes. i run 6 quarts exactly and it always hits my dipstick juuuuust right. sounds kinky. wanna go on a date?
MazdaSpeeder
Member
- :
- Protege5 (5-spd)
See, that's what I was concerned with. If you check the oil while it's cold, then all of the oil is in the pan and not partially covering the engine components which is going to incorrectly show a low level. So, you add oil which screws things up a bit.
In order to truly try and diagnose this issue (as much as you can on the web), then you have to figure out how the test is being conducted.
It's like trying to know when you're supposed to check your tire pressure. It's the opposite of this and should be checked cold. Wait....right?
Doesn't the dipstick measure from the pan? Then it would incorrectly show a high level...
AutoXRacer
Member
I've been changing my oil since day one... 6 full quarts of Red Line 5w-30 puts the oil level exactly on the full mark. Of course thats after letting the engine run and fill up the oil filter and check for leaks.
I usually check my oil in the morning before starting the engine. First draw of the dip stick will show a dry dip stick, shove it back in, and you'll get your correct reading. Oil level is measured from oil in the pan. If you warm up the engine and then check, oil will be displaced and spread through-out the engine and you'll get a lower than normal reading.
In addition, this engine seems to have a lot of places for the oil to hide and settle. When you change your oil, make sure to let it sit there for a while draining on a level surface...raise the front, let it drain a few minutes, lower, let it drain again, raise the rear, let it drain again...
I have left the car draining for about 30-40 minutes and oil just keeps trickling out...
So, if you are just draining the oil for a couple of minutes and then adding 6 quarts, its no surprise you get the oil over the full line since all the old oil has not been drained...
Just my observation on my personal experience with my MS3...
Regarding tires, there is no set time to check them. If you check them cold, then your pressures will go up higher than your base pressure since the air in the tire heats up when you're driving. If you check them when they are hot or sitting in the sun, then your pressures will go down once the tires cool off. The best way to check your tires are mid day once the temps have stabilized and your car has not been sitting in the sun all day. Regardless, your tire pressure will vary through out the day 2-3 PSI.
I usually check my oil in the morning before starting the engine. First draw of the dip stick will show a dry dip stick, shove it back in, and you'll get your correct reading. Oil level is measured from oil in the pan. If you warm up the engine and then check, oil will be displaced and spread through-out the engine and you'll get a lower than normal reading.
In addition, this engine seems to have a lot of places for the oil to hide and settle. When you change your oil, make sure to let it sit there for a while draining on a level surface...raise the front, let it drain a few minutes, lower, let it drain again, raise the rear, let it drain again...
I have left the car draining for about 30-40 minutes and oil just keeps trickling out...
So, if you are just draining the oil for a couple of minutes and then adding 6 quarts, its no surprise you get the oil over the full line since all the old oil has not been drained...
Just my observation on my personal experience with my MS3...
Regarding tires, there is no set time to check them. If you check them cold, then your pressures will go up higher than your base pressure since the air in the tire heats up when you're driving. If you check them when they are hot or sitting in the sun, then your pressures will go down once the tires cool off. The best way to check your tires are mid day once the temps have stabilized and your car has not been sitting in the sun all day. Regardless, your tire pressure will vary through out the day 2-3 PSI.
Last edited:
Yeah, sorry, that's what I meant.
desperado-c
Member
- :
- Mazdaspeed3
Personal experiences have varied widely on this with the majority finding that 6 quarts is way overfull. For me, dealer changes have mostly been overfilled as was the car when I got it home from the dealer the first time. I have personally let the oil drain for 30 minutes and it has come up to the Full line with a little under 5.5 quarts. This was with a filter change.
I'm not about to repeatedly raise and lower the front and rear of the car to get the 1/2 quart of missing oil out of wherever it might be. So I just let it drain for 15-20 minutes, put in 5.5 quarts, and check to make sure it's within range. If I'm a little over or under Full, it won't hurt anything. I then double check the car after a few hours of sitting to make sure the reading hasn't changed significantly.
I changed my oil for the first time this past weekend. The owners manual states the oil capacity with filter change is six qts. I changed the filter & put in six qts. My level also reads at least 1/4" above the max line on the dipstick, even after driving the car a bit, letting it sit a tad, and rechecking it.
I seriously doubt that six qts will do any harm whatsoever, even though it ends up 1/4" above the max line.
My car doesn't smoke but does leave black soot-looking stuff on the exhaust tips. I was told in another thread that this is normal so I doubt it has anything to do with overfilling the oil level as my car has done this from day one.
AutoXRacer
Member
I meant to check my oil level the other day and forgot and started the engine... The engine ran for a few minutes then shut it down, I let it still another few minutes and then checked the level. It was 1/4 below the FULL line. I was a little worried cause I thought I was burning oil...
The next morning, I remembered to check my oil before starting the car and it showed exactly at the full line...
Point of the story is that when you change your oil, make sure the car has sat over-night before draining the oil and make sure you get all the oil out.
If you drain your oil at a quick-lube place/dealer after running the engine, you will not get it all out since the oil will be puddling and sitting in nooks and crannies in your engine, thus resulting in an over-fill...
I've always let all my cars sit over night before draining the oil...
I've always filled with 6 full quarts and get to the exact full line everytime...
Just FYI...
The next morning, I remembered to check my oil before starting the car and it showed exactly at the full line...
Point of the story is that when you change your oil, make sure the car has sat over-night before draining the oil and make sure you get all the oil out.
If you drain your oil at a quick-lube place/dealer after running the engine, you will not get it all out since the oil will be puddling and sitting in nooks and crannies in your engine, thus resulting in an over-fill...
I've always let all my cars sit over night before draining the oil...
I've always filled with 6 full quarts and get to the exact full line everytime...
Just FYI...
wmherman@mchsi.
Member
That's funny. Actually, you will probably get more oil out if you warm the engine up before draining it as it gets thinner and drains more easily.
If you let the car sit overnight, the oil will be cold. Any oil puddling & sitting in "nooks & crannies" will still sit there no matter how long you let her sit...
AutoXRacer
Member
I don't agree, cause when you park the car for the night, the oil is hot, so the oil will drain back into the pan regardless...
You're right in that regard. The part I found funny was the oil "puddling" in nooks and crannies. Think about it. Any oil that puddles in a cavity is going to stay there, no matter how long it sits, unless it sits eons and eats a hole in the bottom of the cavity it's sitting in, then seeps out. It's like a quart of oil sitting in a plastic bottle with the cap off. It's not going to drain out no matter how long it sits on a shelf.
On the other hand, I didn't look it up in our owner's manual, but the manual's for most auto's I've owned stated to check the oil with the engine warm after letting the car sit for a few minutes to let the oil drain back in the oil pan. I don't know, maybe the oil expands when hot and gives a more accurate reading.
It might be interesting to do an experiment if one is so inclined. Warm the engine up to operating temp, park the car on level ground, shut off the engine, wait five minutes, check the oil level. Don't move or crank the car. Check the oil level again in the morning while cold. Report the difference, if any, in the oil level. Let us know what you come up with.
I would say, after over 40 years of owning/maintaining various cars, that the small difference you see, if any, will not matter enough to where it would cause you to have an oil level in your engine that would cause even the slightest bit of damage to your engine.
No worries...
Last edited:
+ 1
I always use all 6 quarts.. It will read above the line when the oil is settled but if you start the car then shut it off it will show exactly level. I'm assuming that is how it should be. My car is an 06 MS6 with 26,000 miles ive never had the smoke issue... custom exhuast 2nd cat delete.
I always use all 6 quarts.. It will read above the line when the oil is settled but if you start the car then shut it off it will show exactly level. I'm assuming that is how it should be. My car is an 06 MS6 with 26,000 miles ive never had the smoke issue... custom exhuast 2nd cat delete.
AutoXRacer
Member
What I'm saying is that if you start the engine or run the engine before draining it, you will coat the top of the engine with oil; basically displacing oil that may have been sitting in the pan to the top of the engine (heads). If you let it sit over night, then most if not all of that oil will eventually drain back into the pan. Thats just my opinion though... I've always changed my oil like that... I also change the level of the car as it is draining towards the end. I've noticed that a lot more drains out...
I've never understood that though... I've tried it and it never gave me a correct representation of the actual oil in the engine.
I've done it... It will show you roughly 1/4 below the full indication...in the morning it will show you full... (dunno)
You are right, a 1/4 below the full indication will not cause engine damage. A 1/4 above I don't know though. Some cars are sensitive to over-fill conditions...usually just start smoking; though I'm not sure if 1/4 is enough to cause this condition.
I agree, no worries... (2thumbs)
AutoXRacer
Member
Are you saying right after you change your oil...? There will be an above full indication due to the oil filter being empty. Once you start your engine, the oil will fill the filter, thus leveling the oil level...
I always fill my filter with fresh oil before installing it... I don't like my engine to dry start...
screaminMS
Member
- :
- 2008 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
idk this is just my thought but if u do it cold. when u fill it with six quarts and its above the line. after u start it its right at where it needs to be is it possible thats what was in the turbo and lines to the turbo?
Are you saying right after you change your oil...? There will be an above full indication due to the oil filter being empty. Once you start your engine, the oil will fill the filter, thus leveling the oil level...
I always fill my filter with fresh oil before installing it... I don't like my engine to dry start...
My MS3 has the cartridge style filter and it's not possible to fill it before installing it. I assume you've converted to the spin-on type.
Regarding dry start, that brings up a good point I hadn't thought of. If you've warmed up the engine as I recommend, change your oil & filter while the engine is still warm, the internal parts of the engine should still have a decent coating of oil to where there is no dry start. If you allow the oil to drain overnight, you are probably more at risk of the dry start you are so worried about. Think about it...
To bring this one back. I changed my oil this weekend. I put in 5.5 qts in. After letting the car run, taking it for a short drive, and letting it sit, I checked the oil level making sure I was on level ground. I was a little low, but I was still above the fill line. I then put in another 0.25qts bringing me to 5.75qts. After letting it run, another short drive and letting it sit again, I was a almost to the full line. To me, that is perfect.
