oil level

yes. some say it is a problem, and can reduce mpg's. my mechanic always adds the amount recommended in the manual, and that's where it winds up. i have never found it to be a problem.

 

Yes, like Bisco mentioned. Let me guess, that dealer did your last oil change?

 

That would be a overfill. I don't know if it will hurt anything or not. Dealers have done that to me, i would drain some out. I started doing my own oil changes myself, and it seems if i put 4 quarts in the oil level will be right in the center of the hatched area of the dipstick.

 

You should talk to the service manager as well and let him/her know. Might make a difference...

 

When I was dealing with overfill I loosened the drain bolt, and carefully let a cup or so trickle out. Depending on your tools and situation this may or may not work for you.

Service departments are notorious for overfill. Our previous car's spec. for oil change was 3.2 liters. They would routinely dump in 4.0, 'till I got exasperated and started doing my own.

To be fair, from their perspective: they don't know if owners will ever check the oil themselves, tend to overfill for that reason. Also, when the spec is a partial liter (or qt), and they're using bottles: what to do with the excess? The answer all too frequently is: screw it, dump it in.

 

Some say it's not a problem and although there may be tolerances, IMO those MAX and MIN marks are there for a reason.

 

+1 I have done the same in putting only 4 quarts in on refills ever since beginning DIY. It brings the oil level very nicely midway between the two dimples on the dipstick. Trying to add 0.4 quarts to bring it to the top dimple is a PITA.

My thoughts exactly. I have heard others argue that you are hurting the engine by not having enough oil. As you say, why do they have the Max and Min dimples on the dipstick then?

 

[quote="jdcollins5, post: 1754354, member: 55871...My thoughts exactly. I have heard others argue that you are hurting the engine by not having enough oil. As you say, why do they have the Max and Min dimples on the dipstick then?[/quote]

My guess would be: they determine optimum level, and how much variation is acceptable, and initially set the high and low marks at the extremes of that variation. Then, to play it safe, they pull those two marks a bit towards each other.

 

It's a fact that lower oil level results in higher oil temps. Thus, I would not recommend running on Min oil during hi speed hwy driving in hot weather. I did it once in my corolla to see it it helps with MPG a few years ago (ironically, based on Priuschat posts). It didn't, but oil consumption started at the same time. True, different engine and conventional oil, but still, it was harmful for my corolla.

 

Technically, this is not how oil should be checked (see the manual). It makes a difference in some cars. But, probably overfilled a bit.