Is the oil overfill still a problem for 2008 models?

I just changed my oil, and only put in 3.9 quarts. I have other half empty containers to pour the rest in, and save it for when I need it. I just don't see the point of overfilling, I can't imagine these cars will ever burn oil unless not properly maintained. I can't tell you how many people I know, mainly with motorcycles, that over fill their 3.6 or so sump with the "ah just throw 4 quarts in" attitude, and up spring the oil leaks. Not that it would happen with the Prius, but if it calls for 3.9, then put in 3.9 or to the fill mark, and save the rest for later. If someone else is going to change it for you, ask for the .3 quarts back.

 

Interesting math.

 

I suggest that you add 3.5 quarts when changing the engine oil and filter. It is easy to measure 0.5 qt. out of a 1 qt. container; then you have 0.5 qt. remaining for your next oil change.

If you do this, you will see that the oil level measured per the dipstick will be about 1/8" below the top dimple.

 

3.9+.3=3.12= 3 qts 12 ozs=4qts
looks good to me, fuzzy math

 

Truly, even 3 quarts is plenty, because about a half quart of old oil stays in the system coating the internal surfaces. Try it and see.

No matter who changes the oil or how much you use, always check the level yourself before driving away. This can catch gruesome errors before they cause expensive damage.

 

I stand corrected. Still, I would always pour in just to the fill line, there is bound to be some old oil left in there. I drained mine and let it drip for an hour, and when I refilled, I must have had a good 12 ounces of oil left in the new container. Would it hurt to throw it in? Not sure. Would it help? Probably not.

 

Come on!
3.9 Qt = 3 an 9 tenths quarts
9 tenths of a quart is 14.4 ounces
So, 3.9 quarts = 3 quarts 14.4 ounces

 

Oil overfill is a problem for ANY car. The Prius doesn't have a problem, the lube service jockeys do. Oil level should never be above the upper mark on a dipstick even after sitting overnight, cold. Checking oil when hot just after the engine shut off is not accurate and generally leads to overfilling. Obviously, make sure the car is level. As everyone states here, 1/8 inch below the upper mark is ideal. You don't have to worry until it gets to the lower mark. Most dipstick markings equal 1 quart between upper and lower marks (cross hatched area).

 

One more time, just for the math minor.
9 tenths of a quart is 28.8 ounces
So, 3.9 quarts = 3 quarts 28.8 ounces.

 

::::: Whipes egg off face ::::::

 

I'm not picking on you. The way it's printed in the manual can be confusing. The first thing I did was try to figure why overfill was such a problem. The quick lube guys here like to write the fill in yellow, but some I've seen are much less than the specs for the car??? Still changing my own. Jerry

 

The owner's manual and the repair manual indicate 3.9 US qts is the refill capacity. However, if you use this amount then the oil level on the dipstick will be above the top dimple.

Hence the conflict. Either the spec is wrong or the dipstick is wrong.

My suggestion to use 3.5 qts assumes that the dipstick is right. No harm is being done by using that amount of oil, since in principle the engine can run successfully with the oil level down to the lower dimple. By using 3.5 qts (instead of 3.6 or 3.7 qts) you only have to measure out the 0.5 qt every other time that you do an oil change. The remainder 0.5 qt can be saved for the next oil change without having to measure it again.

 

A light just came on ( like a police spotlight ). I too, pull the oil plug and tend to other maintenance and cleaning for 15 or 20 minutes while the car (any car I've owned ) drains the warm oil out.

We drain longer than the dealers or the quik-lube places take to do the entire service. Does that mean they pull the plug and replace it when the oil quits flowing? That would cause an overfill if they went by the specifications for the car.

And that is why they write their fill amount in yellow and it's always less than specs. Just think of the money they save by not having to use the correct amount of oil on each car !! Never been to a quik-lube--never will. Jerry

 

I agree with Patrick about 3.5qts, but I don't think the spec (any spec) or the dipstick is wrong.
I'm pretty sure the value 3.9qts is correct, perhaps in a bone dry engine.
Remember that the oil filter is still full (albeit small) and there's oil somewhere in the engine regardless of drainage.

I just performed an oil change (way early, as I usually do), with a new bone dry filter, it took 3 quarts + 14.5 oz (32 ounces = quart) which took me to 1/8" below the high mark, although that will probably change a bit when I actually drive it, instead of check the oil as it sits in the garage after changing.

(If anything changes after driving around tonight, I'll report back).

ZC1

 

Since my last post, 4 hours later after taking my wife for a drive and a dinner, I let the car cool down for 1/2 hour, then I check the oil level for changes, if any.

My last post said 1/8" below the full mark on the dipstick, measured with a ruler.

This time, check, recheck, check again, and the oil level is right at the bottom of the full mark dimple. It somehow increased in volume.

Which is interesting, since the brand new car from the dealership was approximately 1/8" above the full mark. I checked, rechecked, since I thought it was my eyes, but nope, 1/8" above the full mark. I left it there until the earlier post today, where I'd changed the oil and filter.

So, had I filled it earlier to the full mark, I'd now be 1/8" over the full mark after 4 hours of driving and 30 minutes of cooldown.

ZC1

 

I just started changing my own oil after so much overfilling at shops, took my own oil in and then they don't want to put 10k intervals on the window sticker (they claim some kind of liability issue) even though I have full synthetic and extended life oil filter. I put 3 and 3/4 quarts in each time.

 

I think overfill by the pros is especially common when they're using quart (or litre) bottles, AND the specd. oil amount is something like 3.2 litres.

This example was the case with our previous Civic Hybrid, and good 'ol Westwood Honda routinely dumped in 4 litres.