How much oil does your car take?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,526
Likes: 20
From: Santa Fe TX
I put anywhere from 3-8 quarts in depending on how much money I have to spend. 
I think it was stated somewhere that you can run 1 quart over full without causing issues. This is done sometimes when racing -- is that correct?
Assuming you know your car isn't using oil, then you can also go by what you drain out. Some people have a hard time getting it level for the drain in the driveway, so 1/2 quart or so could stay behind.
Also keep in mind that 1 quart low (which will not cause damage) trips the low oil level sensor. I've seen it do it with as little as 1/2 quart low.
I think it was stated somewhere that you can run 1 quart over full without causing issues. This is done sometimes when racing -- is that correct?
Assuming you know your car isn't using oil, then you can also go by what you drain out. Some people have a hard time getting it level for the drain in the driveway, so 1/2 quart or so could stay behind.
Also keep in mind that 1 quart low (which will not cause damage) trips the low oil level sensor. I've seen it do it with as little as 1/2 quart low.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,476
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From: Dyer, IN
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Gettysburg PA
Ok, let me see if I understand this. Even though your 2001 Corvette's Engine Mechanical Specifications gives 6.5 qts with filter, the proper oil capacity, you trust the little metal dipstick to give you the right answer as to when you have the right quanity of oil?
If your gas gauge were to read a little below the FULL mark would you continue to fill the tank even though it is running out on the ground?
If your car is off level side to side, front to back the dipstick can give you an erroneous reading. Maybe I'm missing something here.
If your gas gauge were to read a little below the FULL mark would you continue to fill the tank even though it is running out on the ground?
If your car is off level side to side, front to back the dipstick can give you an erroneous reading. Maybe I'm missing something here.
"All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level"
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
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From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Are you saying that the proper oil level is determined by something other than the “Engine Mechanical Specifications”?
All specs have a tolerance, for example Camshaft End Play = .001-.012 in. The decimal point normally gives an idea of the acceptable tolerance if no other tolerance numbers are given. This being the case, the “Oil Capacity” given is 6.5 Quarts with oil filter. Seeing it is given with a .5 value would mean that the fill capacity tolerance is ±.1 quart.
This whole oil level thing is occupying more thought then it is probably due. The fact of the matter, if you are within a quart one way or the other it perhaps doesn’t really matter.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Got a low oil light putting in 6.5 qts at the last change
I use 7 qts now.
I use 7 qts now.
Last edited by DeeGee; Apr 29, 2009 at 12:54 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
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From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 841
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From: Gettysburg PA
Not sure where you are getting your specs from, but on the ones I'm looking at "Document ID: 640354" do not have the statement you speak of.
Are you saying that the proper oil level is determined by something other than the “Engine Mechanical Specifications”?
All specs have a tolerance, for example Camshaft End Play = .001-.012 in. The decimal point normally gives an idea of the acceptable tolerance if no other tolerance numbers are given. This being the case, the “Oil Capacity” given is 6.5 Quarts with oil filter. Seeing it is given with a .5 value would mean that the fill capacity tolerance is ±.1 quart.
This whole oil level thing is occupying more thought then it is probably due. The fact of the matter, if you are within a quart one way or the other it perhaps doesn’t really matter.
Are you saying that the proper oil level is determined by something other than the “Engine Mechanical Specifications”?
All specs have a tolerance, for example Camshaft End Play = .001-.012 in. The decimal point normally gives an idea of the acceptable tolerance if no other tolerance numbers are given. This being the case, the “Oil Capacity” given is 6.5 Quarts with oil filter. Seeing it is given with a .5 value would mean that the fill capacity tolerance is ±.1 quart.
This whole oil level thing is occupying more thought then it is probably due. The fact of the matter, if you are within a quart one way or the other it perhaps doesn’t really matter.
And no, I'm saying (or I guess more like GM is saying) the approximate full oil level is detemined by “Engine Mechanical Specifications” or that, 6.5 quarts is approximately full.
All I'm sayin is that just puttting 6.5qts in without even checking the level becuase thats what the manual says is full (or approximately full), would probably not be the best idea.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Larkspur Colorado
Wow! Lots of opinions. I have to admit, I should have put my flame suit on after I posted. I admit I did trust the little metal stick when I should have trusted the Specifications. So for that I deserve the flaming. Thanks for all the responses............................... .Dave
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
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From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Dave,
No flame
intended on my part. I find it interesting to read how folks justify how they care for their Corvette. Most people are very passionate when it come to their car. Anything from tire pressure, oil level, oil type, thermostats, spark plugs, will always spark (no pun intended) an interest and you will get at least two different takes on what is right and what is wrong. 
Going back a number of years, a person that would do something stupid might be called a “Dip Stick”. According to one of the word definition websites, “Dip Stick? This expression comes from "Only Fools and Horses" a British television program and means someone who is stupid or an idiot. Ever wonder how that started?
Really, thanks for the post!
No flame
intended on my part. I find it interesting to read how folks justify how they care for their Corvette. Most people are very passionate when it come to their car. Anything from tire pressure, oil level, oil type, thermostats, spark plugs, will always spark (no pun intended) an interest and you will get at least two different takes on what is right and what is wrong. Going back a number of years, a person that would do something stupid might be called a “Dip Stick”. According to one of the word definition websites, “Dip Stick? This expression comes from "Only Fools and Horses" a British television program and means someone who is stupid or an idiot. Ever wonder how that started?
Really, thanks for the post!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
My car came from the FACTORY with the oil level at "F" ... so apparently it's OK to do ... don't ya think?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Apr 29, 2009 at 01:06 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Go look at your Owner's Manual ... it specifically says to USE THE DIPSTICK to determine the proper oil level. It shows the hashed area on the dipstick as the normal operating range ... so if the oil level is at the "F" mark on the dipstick then it's within the normal operating range ... regardless of how much oil it takes to get there.
And as a few others have said, the "Capacities" called out in the manuals are approximate ... it even says so in a note in the manual. Blow the dust off your own manual and go take a look.
Cut 'n Paste from 2002 Owner's Manual:
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual. Recheck fluid level after filling."
And as a few others have said, the "Capacities" called out in the manuals are approximate ... it even says so in a note in the manual. Blow the dust off your own manual and go take a look.
Cut 'n Paste from 2002 Owner's Manual:
Capacities and Specifications
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended in this manual. Recheck fluid level after filling."
Last edited by ZeeOSix; Apr 29, 2009 at 01:32 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
Likes: 16
From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
, The filling of the oil from the factory will be 6.5 qts. The cost factor associated with having it wrong keeps very close control of this step. The comment in the manual is there because a lawyer told them it would be in their best interest to have the disclaimer, not an engineer.
There are other documents that give the proper design value without the disclaimer like the one I referenced earlier.
The ONLY way that the dipstick could be the tell all for proper level is if every oil pan was perfect, every dipstick tube, dipstick, and the hole it fits in the block would also have to be perfect. GM is good, but not perfect. The oil pan supplier or any of the other parts can change during a production run. This can change the level that shows on the dipstick.
As far as your car coming from the factory with the oil at the full mark, ever think that the dealer may have added some?
Glad to see you read your manual.