Correct oil level
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
Correct oil level
When I purchased my new C6 almost a month ago I noticed the oil level was a bit above ½ qt. above the full mark on the dipstick. Assuming the original oil was added at the factory I didn't think much of it, but after having a free first oil change done at the dealer yesterday I find that the level is still showing about the same level. The owners manual is very explicit with its warnings about having oil level outside the cross-hatched area of the dipstick.
In the photo I've marked the level and would like opinions on it. The dealer is checking how much oil was actually used, but I assume it was six quarts. If so, do I go by the six-quart spec or the dipstick to determine the proper level?
In the photo I've marked the level and would like opinions on it. The dealer is checking how much oil was actually used, but I assume it was six quarts. If so, do I go by the six-quart spec or the dipstick to determine the proper level?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 37
From: skiatook oklahoma
well, did you check when the car was on a flat and level surface?
if your saying the white line is where the oil level shows, that seems more than a 1/2 quart.
i assume your pretty smart at checking oil, so please dont think i'm being a smarty pants... but..
i have found in some cars that you need to wipe the dipstick and check, repeat 3 times. oil on some dipsticks will climb up when going in and out of the tube and need a couple readings to get accurate readings.
grrr... i never looked to see what year and model you have.
one thing you can do, it seems sorta unreasonable, but you can have the dealership pull another dip stick and put them side by side to check on their length.
my thoughts
oh, dip stick is the proper measuring method, uless the dipstick is too long.. which i doubt
if your saying the white line is where the oil level shows, that seems more than a 1/2 quart.
i assume your pretty smart at checking oil, so please dont think i'm being a smarty pants... but..
i have found in some cars that you need to wipe the dipstick and check, repeat 3 times. oil on some dipsticks will climb up when going in and out of the tube and need a couple readings to get accurate readings.
grrr... i never looked to see what year and model you have.
one thing you can do, it seems sorta unreasonable, but you can have the dealership pull another dip stick and put them side by side to check on their length.
my thoughts
oh, dip stick is the proper measuring method, uless the dipstick is too long.. which i doubt
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
Thanks for the replies so far.
(1) I check the oil level as per the manual--i.e., after normal operating temps are reached, above 200°, then let it sit for 5-10 min. The white line is a mark I made in Photoshop to show the level, as otherwise it didn't show up well in the photo.
(2) I did make several checks, wiping each time, and they were all the same. Furthermore, every time I check the oil hot it reads at this level. When cold it is even higher, showing almost a full quart high.
I got a call from the tech who did the oil change, after I inquired at the dealer earlier, and he said he used six quarts. He also said that they had seen some dipsticks that were crimped wrong at the bottom causing the tube to fit too far down, which then would indicate high readings. He's going to check it next week when I have the car in the shop for something else. In the meantime I'm going to leave it alone, as I must assume the factory put the right amount of oil in the car during assembly. If not it would be even harder to believe the dealer would make the same error when they changed it yesterday.
(1) I check the oil level as per the manual--i.e., after normal operating temps are reached, above 200°, then let it sit for 5-10 min. The white line is a mark I made in Photoshop to show the level, as otherwise it didn't show up well in the photo.
(2) I did make several checks, wiping each time, and they were all the same. Furthermore, every time I check the oil hot it reads at this level. When cold it is even higher, showing almost a full quart high.
I got a call from the tech who did the oil change, after I inquired at the dealer earlier, and he said he used six quarts. He also said that they had seen some dipsticks that were crimped wrong at the bottom causing the tube to fit too far down, which then would indicate high readings. He's going to check it next week when I have the car in the shop for something else. In the meantime I'm going to leave it alone, as I must assume the factory put the right amount of oil in the car during assembly. If not it would be even harder to believe the dealer would make the same error when they changed it yesterday.
Last edited by iclick; Mar 29, 2013 at 03:19 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 37
From: skiatook oklahoma
Thanks for the replies so far.
(1) I check the oil level after normal operating temps are reached, above 200°, then let it sit for 5-10 min.
(2) I did make several checks, wiping each time, and they were all the same. Furthermore, every time I check the oil hot it reads at this level. When cold it is even higher, showing almost a full quart high.
I got a call from the tech who did the oil change, after I inquired at the dealer earlier, and he said he used six quarts. He also said that they had seen some dipsticks that were crimped wrong at the bottom which showed high readings. He's going to check it next week when I have the car in the shop for something else.
(1) I check the oil level after normal operating temps are reached, above 200°, then let it sit for 5-10 min.
(2) I did make several checks, wiping each time, and they were all the same. Furthermore, every time I check the oil hot it reads at this level. When cold it is even higher, showing almost a full quart high.
I got a call from the tech who did the oil change, after I inquired at the dealer earlier, and he said he used six quarts. He also said that they had seen some dipsticks that were crimped wrong at the bottom which showed high readings. He's going to check it next week when I have the car in the shop for something else.
Last edited by ChevyDave; Mar 29, 2013 at 03:59 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 45
From: One of the Edema Ruh
Thanks for the replies so far.
(1) I check the oil level after normal operating temps are reached, above 200°, then let it sit for 5-10 min. The white line is a mark I made in Photoshop to show the level, as otherwise it didn't show up well in the photo.
(2) I did make several checks, wiping each time, and they were all the same. Furthermore, every time I check the oil hot it reads at this level. When cold it is even higher, showing almost a full quart high.
I got a call from the tech who did the oil change, after I inquired at the dealer earlier, and he said he used six quarts. He also said that they had seen some dipsticks that were crimped wrong at the bottom which showed high readings. He's going to check it next week when I have the car in the shop for something else.
(1) I check the oil level after normal operating temps are reached, above 200°, then let it sit for 5-10 min. The white line is a mark I made in Photoshop to show the level, as otherwise it didn't show up well in the photo.
(2) I did make several checks, wiping each time, and they were all the same. Furthermore, every time I check the oil hot it reads at this level. When cold it is even higher, showing almost a full quart high.
I got a call from the tech who did the oil change, after I inquired at the dealer earlier, and he said he used six quarts. He also said that they had seen some dipsticks that were crimped wrong at the bottom which showed high readings. He's going to check it next week when I have the car in the shop for something else.
Last edited by Kvothe; Mar 29, 2013 at 03:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
Same part number with an "AT" in place of your "WA". If as the dealer tech explained the tube is somehow inserted in the block deeper than normal it would explain the high reading.
Last edited by iclick; Mar 29, 2013 at 05:10 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 965
Likes: 13
From: turn 12 at Road America or TX
When I purchased my new C6 almost a month ago I noticed the oil level was a bit above ½ qt. above the full mark on the dipstick. Assuming the original oil was added at the factory I didn't think much of it, but after having a free first oil change done at the dealer yesterday I find that the level is still showing about the same level.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 35
From: Jupiter Fl
Depends on your car and year, If you have a manual trans and Z51 optioned car you have an oil cooler and it will hold 6 qts. Auto trans (A6) and non Z51 cars do not have the cooler and only hold 5.5 qts !!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
Checking oil level when cold vs hot will give two different levels read.
Just went through this very situation for the first time.
I always assumed with a procedure of filling engine with oil then running the engine just to circulate oil a bit then turn off and check rather quickly, then top off as needed. I believe this will show a high hot oil level of 1/2 quart.
Am I to believe that the LS3 is a "Hot Oil" reading dip stick?
Just went through this very situation for the first time.
I always assumed with a procedure of filling engine with oil then running the engine just to circulate oil a bit then turn off and check rather quickly, then top off as needed. I believe this will show a high hot oil level of 1/2 quart.
Am I to believe that the LS3 is a "Hot Oil" reading dip stick?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 396
Likes: 5
From: Liberty Hill TX
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
Checking oil level when cold vs hot will give two different levels read.
Just went through this very situation for the first time.
I always assumed with a procedure of filling engine with oil then running the engine just to circulate oil a bit then turn off and check rather quickly, then top off as needed. I believe this will show a high hot oil level of 1/2 quart.
Am I to believe that the LS3 is a "Hot Oil" reading dip stick?
Just went through this very situation for the first time.
I always assumed with a procedure of filling engine with oil then running the engine just to circulate oil a bit then turn off and check rather quickly, then top off as needed. I believe this will show a high hot oil level of 1/2 quart.
Am I to believe that the LS3 is a "Hot Oil" reading dip stick?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
I bought my '08 with about 21,500 miles. Before I drove it home, I checked the oil with the engine at operating temp. The oil level was about 1/4 inch above the full mark. When I got home, I decided, for piece of mind, to change the oil / filter.
I carefully measured the amount I drained from the pan, and collected from the filter. There had been a full 7 qts in the engine. My owners manual says to add 5.5 qts with filter, which is what I did. My oil level now, when warmed up, is right at or just a hair below the full mark.
I carefully measured the amount I drained from the pan, and collected from the filter. There had been a full 7 qts in the engine. My owners manual says to add 5.5 qts with filter, which is what I did. My oil level now, when warmed up, is right at or just a hair below the full mark.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 626
From: Baton Rouge LA
I bought my '08 with about 21,500 miles. Before I drove it home, I checked the oil with the engine at operating temp. The oil level was about 1/4 inch above the full mark. When I got home, I decided, for piece of mind, to change the oil / filter.
I carefully measured the amount I drained from the pan, and collected from the filter. There had been a full 7 qts in the engine. My owners manual says to add 5.5 qts with filter, which is what I did. My oil level now, when warmed up, is right at or just a hair below the full mark.
I carefully measured the amount I drained from the pan, and collected from the filter. There had been a full 7 qts in the engine. My owners manual says to add 5.5 qts with filter, which is what I did. My oil level now, when warmed up, is right at or just a hair below the full mark.
I also looked at the service invoice from two weeks ago where I got a free oil change, and it shows that they installed seven quarts. Remember that the level was about the same as it was when I took delivery of the car with four miles on the clock, and they said they don't alter the factory fill on new cars. I'll ask them about the seven-quart item on the invoice when I visit them next, probably this week or next. All this is really confusing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 239
From: Colorado
6 quarts with filter is correct for my '13 A-6. The tranny type makes no difference. The factory fill, cold, looked about 1/2 qt high. Haven't checked hot, yet, but I would guess it would be about at the top of the hatchmarks. Racing trick has always been to add a quart extra, so being a 1/2 qt, +/-, high presents no problem to the engine. My only complaint is the TPMS--just like on my '06, reads about 3 pounds low, hot or cold. However, as this was a consitent delta, never bothered me.
