The hatch or the dot?

[daneli]

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered before - maybe a dozen times - but I'm using the forum search tool and I'm coming up with nothing. So with my apologies: Service Bulletin 01-044/08 says that the engine oil is full when the dipstick shows oil at the top of the cross hatched area, not the dot (hole) above the cross hatched area. It says "filling until the oil level reaches the upper dot above the cross hatched area could result in oil overfill and aeration of the oil." But my 2010 owner's manual has a diagram with an arrow pointing to that very dot with the label "MAX." (The bottom of the cross hatched area is labeled "MIN.") It says "the level is normal if it is between MIN and MAX." So which is it? Are we supposed to add oil until we reach the top of the cross hatched area or the dot above it?

Thanks!!

 

[drchuck]

Well, this is a Ford deal. The actual intent by Ford (and Mazda since it's a combined project) is to add oil when the oil is down to the lower "dot" or hole, depending on the dip stick. The top dot, or hole indicates full, and the instructions are to not add oil when the oil shows in the cross hatch area. Personally I can't stand to run it that low, so if the oil is more than halfway down the hatched area, I warm the engine, turn it off, let it drain down, and carefully bring the oil to the top of the hatching. I use Royal Purple synthetic (5W 20) and have only had to add oil between changes one time, and that when the vehicle was pretty new.

 

[table5511]

Well the easiest was to determine the answer is this: next time you change your oil, after your 9 goes to sleep for the night, pull the stick out the next day before you drive it. Wipe the stick clean, then put it back in, then take it out and see where the actual level is. This is how I determine where it needs to be and no higher. (I say measure it with a cold engine because that way almost all of the oil is in the bottom of the engine. If warm, you're not getting a "true" measurement)

 

[daneli]

Thanks Drchuck and helbigtw - that's very helpful.