Dipstick shows low oil, after oil and filter change, with 4.4 qts added

Tiny
REDWELD
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 SUBARU FORESTER
  • 60,756 MILES
Just did oil and filter change, added 4.4 qts of 5w30, and ran car. Shut off, waited 3 minutes, checked dipstick, reads low. Tried again 20 min later, same thing
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 10:16 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It might take 5 quarts of oil with a filter. And make sure it is on level ground.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 10:32 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
4.4 is the correct capacity for a drain and fill with filter. Make sure you are using the correct dipstick and it's not damaged. You can always add a little more to bring it to the full mark but you shouldn't have to. Check it after sitting over night to be sure.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 10:32 PM
Tiny
REDWELD
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
WHEN WE HAD CAR TO DEALER PREVIOUS TIMES FOR OIL CHANGE, THE TECH WROTE"4.4 QUARTS" ON THE INTAKE COVER, SO I WAS GOING BY THAT. WILL KEEP ADDING TILL I HIT THE HIGH MARK. SHOULD THAT BE GOOD IF THE CARS COLD? WHAT ABOUT THERMAL EXPANSION?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 10:40 PM
Tiny
REDWELD
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
CORRECT, ORIGINAL DIPSTICK, NO DAMAGE. WHY WOULD LETTING IT SIT OVERNITE HELP WHEN ITS BEEN6 HRS ALREADY?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 10:43 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
This is from Alldata which publishes info from factory service manuals.

Engine Oil Capacity

Dry fill 5.0L (5.3 qt)
Drain and Fill with Filter 4.2L (4.4 qt)
Drain and Fill without Filter 4.0L (4.2 qt)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 10:43 PM
Tiny
REDWELD
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
OK THEN WHY DOES STICK READ LOW?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 10:48 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
All I can tell are the specs that they publish. Some residual oil can take a long time to drain, the ground may not be level or it may just be an engineering error on their part.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 11:00 PM
Tiny
REDWELD
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok makes sense now what?Add oil, orleave alone?I know toomuch is not good, and too little just as bad.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 11:14 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check it in the morning, if you need it add it if not leave it alone
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 11:15 PM
Tiny
REDWELD
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Great. Thanx for info. This is a nice way to get info from someone who is qualified. Enjoy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,871 POSTS
Hi guys. Unless I overlooked it, you're missing one important detail. To address the complaints all manufacturers had years ago about normal, minor oil consumption between changes, no manufacturer uses "add" and "full" on their dipsticks any longer. They use "min" and "max". All that's required is the level be anywhere between the two marks. If it's above the lower mark, there's no need to add any.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 AT 5:03 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links