Oil Level High After Car Sits For Hours

how much of an inch is it above max? it's not a huge issue but it is best to have it a little low. it's hard to believe there is that much of a difference between 5 minutes and overnight. 15-20 minutes should be enough.

 

wow. that's a lot! doesn't make sense really. why don't you try driving it on a morning your home for the day and then check it every so often to see what it's doing?

 

It sounds way overfilled... But perplexing why it rises so much.

 

I just went out to the garage and checked the oil, It's a little over full. This just after getting a "free" oil change at the 30K mark. I'm still getting over 50 mpg, so I'm not going to worry about it. GBC Texas Prius (Toyota Prius) | Fuelly

 

Just remember that "full" is full. Not "fill to about here" but "hey I am full".

 

is should not be overfilled. I would take it to the dealer let it sit for a hour then make them come to your car and show them.

 

One thing: right after an oil change, it can be very hard to check oil level on the dipstick. You make mention of this, but still I'm wondering if you might be misreading it.

I just did our first change and found it took repeated checks to get a semi-accurate read on the level. The face of the dipstick near the front of engine seemed to be less "smeared" when checking. There typically was a streak of oil running way up the dipstick, confusing matters, but I would look for a little bare patch, and then see where the oil started, just below that bare patch: dub that the level.

If you're concerned, I'd say drop by the dealership, express your concern, have them check the level together with you. Don't come on too heavy: you could be misreading it. It's in everyone's best interest to get to the bottom of this, do an accurate check.

I do not think you could siphon oil out, though I could be wrong. Likely the easiest route would be to raise the car, open (gently) and secure the maintenance flap, loosen drain bolt carefully till it's completely threaded out, but continue to hold it against the hole, then rock it carefully and drain a bit into a graduated receptacle. Torque for the drain bolt is 27 lb/ft.

Obviously if the dealer acknowledges overfill they will do the draining in this instance, but this is how I've dealt with overfill in the past.

In my experience dealerships are notorious for overfilling. Level should not be above the full mark: a few mm below is a good spot. Slight overfill, say up to 6mm should not be too significant though, just my opinion: when manufacturers set oil level, I'm sure they include a goof-up factor

Oh BTW, have you been checking the oil level prior to the oil change? That's always good: get's you familiar with the dipstick's foibles (long bendy route, tendency to smear), and gives you a "what they did at the factory" benchmark.

 

What is the exact amount of oil to be replaced. I have a vehicle that is 3 quarts 23 ounces and many with the filter are 3 point or 4 point something quarts. The dealership always puts in 4 full quarts which is 8 ounces overfill. A major chain that has vehicle maintance put 4.5 quarts into my vehicle when the owners manual stated 5. I argued with them and finally got them to put in the 5 full quarts. Thats why i do my own with a factory filter, synthetic oil of the manufacturers viscosity and amount listed in the manual. My new prius will go to the dealership for the first 2 years then we will see after i examine their work.

 

Standard Capacity:

Drain and refill with oil filter change: 4.2 liters (4.4 US qts, 3.7 lmp. qts)
Drain and refill without oil filter change: 3.9 liters (4.1 US qts, 3.4 lmp. qts)​

Dry fill: 4.7 liters (5.0 US qts, 4.1 lmp. qts)

4.2 liter worked ok for me, after letting the oil drain very thoroughly, went and had supper while it dripped: oil level after refill was just a little below full mark. Anywhere from mid-way between the marks to the top mark is fine.

IMHO, slightly below full, say 4~5mm, is sweet spot: it's for sure not overfilled, but close enough for comfort.

I think it's very common for "professionals" to just dump in the remaining portions of quarts/liters when fractions are called for. It's expedient for them, but bad practice.

 

May be a stupid question, but do you park on an incline?

 

Rather than worrying whether the oil level is over full, it is much easier to just do your own oil change, ( if, within your personal situation ) THREE qts brings my 05 right to the halfway mark, which is perfect. :cheer2:

 

I did the recommended 4.2 liter on our 2010. Just checking now, I see it's barely below the full mark: 1~2mm at most. I'll probably go with 4.0 liters (4.2 US quart) next time.

Also, it's really hard to read the dipstick, even a few weeks after the oil change: multiple checks show streaks of oil along the edges, making it hard to judge. I just look for a little, definitive bare patch as being at the top of the true level.

Addendum: a trick to try: push the dipstick in just to the beginning of resistance on the plastic handle, and don't push it home. Then pull it out and check the level. This seems to splash less, and a moving target is more definitive: if you see what you think is the level, and now that same zone has moved down about 3/4", it sort of corraborates.

 

mendel may be right. sometimes there is a short streak of oil going up the dipstick that isn't actually the oil level. park it at the dealers and ask the tech to check it with you in the morning. if it's really an inch you could be in for a major headache.

 

It is often difficult to get an accurate reading after you have pulled out and reinserted the dipstick because the dipstick tube gets coated with oil which then transfers back onto the dipstick above the full mark. Try this:

1. Let the car sit for an hour or so on a level surface.
2. Slowly, pull out the dipstick keeping it within about 15 degrees of vertical with the wet end down. Don't wipe off the oil.
3. What is the reading on the dipstick (fraction of an inch above or below full mark)?