How many Quarts Survey
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NJ
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How many Quarts Survey
Ok because this came up in another thread I would like to take a survey to see how many quarts your car takes with an oil change including the filter.
Mine take about 6.9 quart. I put 1/2 quart in the filter and 6 more in the top then run the car. Usually I have to add some more once I check the oil again....
Mine take about 6.9 quart. I put 1/2 quart in the filter and 6 more in the top then run the car. Usually I have to add some more once I check the oil again....
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I heard this before but I have not confirmed it.
A lot of dip sticks have a full and add line, but we just have the cross hatch area. I heard that full is considered in the middle of these hatch marks. If you try to get it to the top of the hatch marks it is almost 7 quarts with filter change.
A lot of dip sticks have a full and add line, but we just have the cross hatch area. I heard that full is considered in the middle of these hatch marks. If you try to get it to the top of the hatch marks it is almost 7 quarts with filter change.
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How much it "takes" and how much oil you "need" for an oil change are two different things.
You need 6.5 quarts for an oil change. The hashmarks on the dipstick are the operating range. When you fill the car after an oil change, you want the oil level in the middle of that area. It's that simple. (p.s. the owner's manual is your friend)
You need 6.5 quarts for an oil change. The hashmarks on the dipstick are the operating range. When you fill the car after an oil change, you want the oil level in the middle of that area. It's that simple. (p.s. the owner's manual is your friend)
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From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by chocoholic
How much it "takes" and how much oil you "need" for an oil change are two different things.
You need 6.5 quarts for an oil change. The hashmarks on the dipstick are the operating range. When you fill the car after an oil change, you want the oil level in the middle of that area. It's that simple. (p.s. the owner's manual is your friend)
You need 6.5 quarts for an oil change. The hashmarks on the dipstick are the operating range. When you fill the car after an oil change, you want the oil level in the middle of that area. It's that simple. (p.s. the owner's manual is your friend)
Back a while ago, a CF member confirmed with GM that 6.5 is the correct amount of oil to add after a drain. Apparently, the correct way to read the dip stick is not conventional and 6.5 quarts will appear to be insufficient. Don't let the dip stick fool you. You are actually overfilling slightly if you add 7 quarts to get the oil line to reach the "FULL" mark.
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6.5 and it reads full. 
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by StephenT
I heard this before but I have not confirmed it.
A lot of dip sticks have a full and add line, but we just have the cross hatch area. I heard that full is considered in the middle of these hatch marks. If you try to get it to the top of the hatch marks it is almost 7 quarts with filter change.
A lot of dip sticks have a full and add line, but we just have the cross hatch area. I heard that full is considered in the middle of these hatch marks. If you try to get it to the top of the hatch marks it is almost 7 quarts with filter change.
2003 GM Service Manual, page 6-195 (excerpt from Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement > Installation Procedure):
6. Fill the engine with the approximate amount and type of oil. Refer to Capacities - Approximate Fluid on page 0-36 and Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations on page 0-36 in Maintenance and Lubrications.
7. Run the engine for 3 minutes.
8. Raise the vehicle.
9. Thoroughly inspect the oil filter and oil pan drain plug area for leaks.
10. Allow the engine to cool for a minimum of 3 minutes.
11. Lower the vehicle.
12. Check the engine oil level.
13. Top-off the engine oil to the full mark on the oil level indicator (dipstick), if necessary.
7. Run the engine for 3 minutes.
8. Raise the vehicle.
9. Thoroughly inspect the oil filter and oil pan drain plug area for leaks.
10. Allow the engine to cool for a minimum of 3 minutes.
11. Lower the vehicle.
12. Check the engine oil level.
13. Top-off the engine oil to the full mark on the oil level indicator (dipstick), if necessary.
The cross-hatched area shows the proper operating range for your engine oil level. It should be above the bottom of the crossed-hatch, but not above the top of the crossed-hatch. Your owner's manual should speak more to this in Section 5, Service and Appearance Care > When to Add Engine Oil.
Last edited by GrayC5; Sep 1, 2005 at 12:43 AM. Reason: typing/spelling.
