How much oil does your car take?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 243
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From: Larkspur Colorado
How much oil does your car take?
Hey, guys I changed my oil today and had to put 7 qts in to get to the full mark on the dip stick. I filled the filter up before I installed it, so really its close to 7 and 1/2. Is this unusual? From what I have read it this is about 1 qt more than usual. What about you guys?????? Dave
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
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From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Have you ever calibrated your dipstick? Make sure the car is level. Refill the crankcase with the manual recommended amount. Start car long enough to get oil pressure. Shutdown and wait 5 minutes. Pull dipstick out and wipe. Reinsert the dipstick all the way. Pull out and mark the dipstick with a scribe at the oil mark. You now have a calibrated dipstick for the proper amount of oil.
You can even leave it short one quart to calibrate the one quart low mark before marking the full mark.
You can even leave it short one quart to calibrate the one quart low mark before marking the full mark.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
There are 2 dipsticks "systems" on a C5. C5's take 6.5 quarts of oil.
Early C5's show full at the top of the hash marks, the normal full level.
Later C5's show full at the middle of the hash marks, this is normally known as the half-full or one half quart low mark. This is why some people use 7 quarts, to take it to the top of the hash marks.
The owners manual says you can run 1 quart more oil (total 7.5 quarts) for high performance track events, but you should drain out the extra quart afterwards.
Early C5's show full at the top of the hash marks, the normal full level.
Later C5's show full at the middle of the hash marks, this is normally known as the half-full or one half quart low mark. This is why some people use 7 quarts, to take it to the top of the hash marks.
The owners manual says you can run 1 quart more oil (total 7.5 quarts) for high performance track events, but you should drain out the extra quart afterwards.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 243
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From: Larkspur Colorado
With 6 qts in the crankcase, 1/2 qt in the filter, I started the car and let it run for 5 minutes to let it circulate. I checked the dipstick and it showed about 1/8 inch below the low mark. I added 1/2 qt and it was at the low mark. I then ran the car again for 5 more minutes. I added another 1/4 and it was in the middle between the low and top mark. So I added the last 1/4 and now it is directly on the top mark which is what I thought was full. 
I guess I was wrong, I better reread my manual.
I guess I was wrong, I better reread my manual.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
It takes several minutes for all oil to drain down into the oil pan after turning off the car.
From the owner's manual:
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
From the owner's manual:
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick
might not show the actual level.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Apr 27, 2009 at 12:12 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
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From: Dyer, IN
These questions still puzzle me. If the recommended fill is 6.5 quarts, and you physically pour in 6.5 quarts....then what's the dilemma? Make note of where 6.5 quarts is on your dipstick....or follow Eric D 's suggestion. Just don't keep pouring oil in...
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Ashland Kentucky
Yup, I was thinking the same thing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
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From: PNW
2002 Z06 - 6.5 qts puts level in the middle of the dipstick hashed area. 7 qts puts level at "F" mark on the dipstick. This is with raising the rear end up and draining oil for a couple of hours during oil change.
Car came from the factory with the oil level at the "F" mark on the dipstick.
Car came from the factory with the oil level at the "F" mark on the dipstick.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Larkspur Colorado
I've never had a car that didn't hit the full mark on the dip stick with the amount of oil listed in the specs. I wasn't just dumping in more oil. I ran the car and let the car sit for 20 minutes to let the oil settle back into the pan. Checked and rechecked. Since when do we have to calibrate our own dipsticks? 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,470
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
I've never had a car that didn't hit the full mark on the dip stick with the amount of oil listed in the specs. I wasn't just dumping in more oil. I ran the car and let the car sit for 20 minutes to let the oil settle back into the pan. Checked and rechecked. Since when do we have to calibrate our own dipsticks?
You don't have to calibrate your dipstick, but he made a valid suggestion if one feels there is a disparity between what you know was added to the crankcase, and what is indicated on the dipstick. This is not a new observation with many C5 owners.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,843
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From: Howell Michigan
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
If the car came from the factory with the oil level on the "F" mark on the dipstick, then would you say that was the correct oil level? ... regardless of how much oil it took to get to the "F" mark?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
Owners manual says 6.5 qts., and it happens to show exactly at the full mark on my car with that much. Even if it showed some other level on the stick I wouldnt add or take away any oil and just see where it showed with 6.5 qts and be done with it.
