dealership keeps putting to much oil in

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: DougK62
Is the car hot when you are measuring?

That really doesnt matter....

It does in some cars. Subarus, for example, have separate lines on the dipstick for hot and cold measurement.

As for my opinion on this matter, better to be half a quart under than half a quart over.

Interesting.

So I guess oil expansion is somewhat significant?

Hmm.. Don't they recommend that you check the oil warm, though? I don't think I've ever specifically heard to check it while cold(on engines without said marked dipstick).

Yes, they do recommend that you check the oil while the engine is hot, roughly 5 minutes after shutdown.
Don't ask me why they have the separate markings, they just do 😛

And yes, oil level is crucial. With a car that I am familiar with, I can tell the oil level to within half a quart simply by engine sound and feel.
Manuafacturers design their engines to run between full and one quart down. I recommend staying within full and a half quart down at all times for longest engine life, performance, and fuel economy.

 

[Quixfire]

Does it matter if they fill the oil like 1/2" over the full line?

Yes it does matter, the reason the manufactures have limits on the amount o oil in a engine is to ensure adequate lubrication and cooling for the bearings and normal wear points inside the engine. An over full engine can develop foaming of the oil from the crankshaft slicing though causing the oil to neither lubricate nor cool properly. And it robs horsepower when your crankshaft has to move through it to complete a revolution.

Follow what Martin1975 said, add the amount of oil per the owner's manual and run the engine for a few minutes, then wait at least five minutes before checking the level and add if needed.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: VicYes, they do recommend that you check the oil while the engine is hot, roughly 5 minutes after shutdown.
Don't ask me why they have the separate markings, they just do 😛

And yes, oil level is crucial. With a car that I am familiar with, I can tell the oil level to within half a quart simply by engine sound and feel.
Manuafacturers design their engines to run between full and one quart down. I recommend staying within full and a half quart down at all times for longest engine life, performance, and fuel economy.

I don't think it's a bad thing. It just improves oil fill accuracy for the n00b, if you do happen to check it while cold.

I'd say keep it as close to full as possible.. a quart low is pretty significant. You can think of your oil as a big, slippery heatsink. The more mass, the better.. up to the full point.

When you start getting low on oil, it's a cascade.. the oil can't cool as well, so parts run hotter, causing the oil to run hotter, causing more boil off and oil degredation, causing more oil use...

 

[notfred]

If 1/2" of oil is a quart, and your car takes 4 quarts of oil, that means that there's never more than two inches of oil in your oil pan.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: Eli
A half an inch above full on the dipstick?!?! Holy shit!

Are you sure the car is level?

Unacceptable. Take your car back and have them make it right.

you sound like one of the oil nerds at bob's board.

half an inch isn't going to do anything at all.

That depends entirely on how much that half-inch represents. If it represents a quart, it's way too much and you run a very real risk of blowing out the crankshaft seals and the PCV valve. If it's a half-quart or less, you're probably OK.

Also, one quart extra is a lot more in a small 4 cylinder that may only take 3.6 quarts or so to fill it than it is in a car with a big engine or with a lot of tubing for things like oil coolers that may take 7 quarts to fill up. (My 924S, a 2.5 litre 4-cylinder, takes over 6 quarts to fill, about the same as the 4.6 litre V8 in my Mark VIII.)

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: notfred
If 1/2" of oil is a quart, and your car takes 4 quarts of oil, that means that there's never more than two inches of oil in your oil pan.

That assumes a constant shape in the oil pan. That's not usually the case though. There's generally a small area that's sunk down lower than the rest so there may be 3-4 inches measures at the deepest point but only 1-2 inches at the shallow point.

ZV

 

[Wingznut]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: Eli
A half an inch above full on the dipstick?!?! Holy shit!

Are you sure the car is level?

Unacceptable. Take your car back and have them make it right.

you sound like one of the oil nerds at bob's board.

half an inch isn't going to do anything at all.

That depends entirely on how much that half-inch represents. If it represents a quart, it's way too much and you run a very real risk of blowing out the crankshaft seals and the PCV valve. If it's a half-quart or less, you're probably OK.

Also, one quart extra is a lot more in a small 4 cylinder that may only take 3.6 quarts or so to fill it than it is in a car with a big engine or with a lot of tubing for things like oil coolers that may take 7 quarts to fill up. (My 924S, a 2.5 litre 4-cylinder, takes over 6 quarts to fill, about the same as the 4.6 litre V8 in my Mark VIII.)

ZV

ZV nailed it.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: notfred
If 1/2" of oil is a quart, and your car takes 4 quarts of oil, that means that there's never more than two inches of oil in your oil pan.

Maybe I am overstating it a little, but it still sounds extreme.

The whole range on the dipstick is usually only an inch or so. If I saw it a half an inch above that, I would be quite alarmed.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: CraigRT

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: DougK62
Is the car hot when you are measuring?

That really doesnt matter....

yes it does.....
if the car was just running, the oil can be splashed up the dipstick..
it should sit for a good 15 mins minimum after you've shut it off, to get an accurate reading.

Hate to break it to you, but 15 minutes isnt gonna allow the oil enough time to cool off if you want it to be cold, we're talking about heat, not oil splashing onto the dipstick. The only thing that happens when a oil heats up is it gets less viscous.. meaning it's more likely to flow faster... if you change your own oil, time how long it takes when the oil is hot to drain out as opposed to when it's cool (wait a lot longer than 15 minutes, try like 2 hours). It's not gonna be that much of a difference, but it should be somewhat noticable.

I cant imagine there being a hot/cold level on a dipstick, on coolant tank definately but that's not because of the heat of the liquid, it's because of the pressure in the radiator.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: CraigRT

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: DougK62
Is the car hot when you are measuring?

That really doesnt matter....

yes it does.....
if the car was just running, the oil can be splashed up the dipstick..
it should sit for a good 15 mins minimum after you've shut it off, to get an accurate reading.

Hate to break it to you, but 15 minutes isnt gonna allow the oil enough time to cool off if you want it to be cold, we're talking about heat, not oil splashing onto the dipstick. The only thing that happens when a oil heats up is it gets less viscous.. meaning it's more likely to flow faster... if you change your own oil, time how long it takes when the oil is hot to drain out as opposed to when it's cool (wait a lot longer than 15 minutes, try like 2 hours). It's not gonna be that much of a difference, but it should be somewhat noticable.

I cant imagine there being a hot/cold level on a dipstick, on coolant tank definately but that's not because of the heat of the liquid, it's because of the pressure in the radiator.

Don't argue with Vic, he has a Subaru.. I think he knows. 😉

Further, NEVER change your oil cold. Remember that you aren't just changing your oil, you're removing contamination. Whats the point if all the contamination has settled to the bottom of the pan?

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: EliDon't argue with Vic, he has a Subaru.. I think he knows. 😉

Further, NEVER change your oil cold. Remember that you aren't just changing your oil, you're removing contamination. Whats the point if all the contamination has settled to the bottom of the pan?

Perhaps Vic was mistaken Sir Eli! and I was just trying to make a point to him about what heat does to oil 😉

 

[StageLeft]

You newbs should be changing it with the engine running. That's how I've always done it. Cleans the damn thing right out 😀

 

[miri]

Just got back. They removed the oil and it is now at the fill line. How did they take a little oil out and manage to get the oil cap back in while the oil is coming out? It is a 2003 Civic EX coupe. I am not going back there again. I called Honda about this, they had no clue what the effects were.

 

[Vic]

I don't have a Subaru, I have 2. 😎

A world rally blue 2003 WRX sedan (my daily driver) and a white 2001 2.5RS coupe (GF's daily driver).

The WRX still has only minor mods (suspension and Prodrive WRsport muffler), the RS is a bit more modded with Injen CAI, Borla headers, high-flow cat, and GReddy cat-back (suspension mods to come).

And yes, the dipstick does have separate hot/cold reading marks on both.

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: Vic
I don't have a Subaru, I have 2. 😎

A world rally blue 2003 WRX sedan (my daily driver) and a white 2001 2.5RS coupe (GF's daily driver).

The WRX still has only minor mods (suspension and Prodrive WRsport muffler), the RS is a bit more modded with Injen CAI, Borla headers, high-flow cat, and GReddy cat-back (suspension mods to come).

And yes, the dipstick does have separate hot/cold reading marks on both.

You have no idea what you're talking about...


😉

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: miri
Just got back. They removed the oil and it is now at the fill line. How did they take a little oil out and manage to get the oil cap back in while the oil is coming out? It is a 2003 Civic EX coupe. I am not going back there again. I called Honda about this, they had no clue what the effects were.

Easy, they've got these things that can suck oil right out from the dipstick tube... kinda like a straw in a milkshake! mmmchocolateshake

 

[miri]

I should have bought a Toyota.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: miri
Just got back. They removed the oil and it is now at the fill line. How did they take a little oil out and manage to get the oil cap back in while the oil is coming out? It is a 2003 Civic EX coupe. I am not going back there again. I called Honda about this, they had no clue what the effects were.

You mean the person you got on the other line had no clue what the effects were. 😉

Originally posted by: Vic
I don't have a Subaru, I have 2. 😎

A world rally blue 2003 WRX sedan (my daily driver) and a white 2001 2.5RS coupe (GF's daily driver).

The WRX still has only minor mods (suspension and Prodrive WRsport muffler), the RS is a bit more modded with Injen CAI, Borla headers, high-flow cat, and GReddy cat-back (suspension mods to come).

And yes, the dipstick does have separate hot/cold reading marks on both.

w00t..

I still plan on owning a WRX STi at some point.

/drool

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: miri
I should have bought a Toyota. I have been less than thrilled with my first Honda.

Why is that exactly?

It isn't the cars fault that the dealership overfilled it. I agree, don't go there anymore. They sound inept.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: miri
I should have bought a Toyota. I have been less than thrilled with my first Honda.

Why is that exactly?

It isn't the cars fault that the dealership overfilled it. I agree, don't go there anymore. They sound inept.

Hmm... I used to have problems with my 98 Acura Integra GSR. The 1.8L VTEC engine takes 4.25 quarts while the same non-VTEC engine only takes 3.75 quarts. Every place I got an oil change at could never get their sh!t straight and would only put in either 4 quarts or 5 quarts.
Very annoying.

Make sure they replace the crush washer on the drain plug too. This one dealership used to charge me $0.75 to replace the washer and then would never do it. The drain plug would then drip right onto the exhaust. Burnt oil (especially when it rains) is not a smell I like....

 

[miri]

LIttle things like fit and finish. When i roll up the window the entire plastic panel moves a little on the drivers side. When I first bought the car about 5 times the key would have to be turned like 5 times to get it to start. The air conditioner is weak. This car is a vandalism magnet. It has been vandalized 4 times. That is not the honda fault on the vandalism though. And yes it is complete stock. Just black and 2 doors along with alloy wheels makes it look sporty I guess and a easy target for vandals. Also the honda uses a timing belt and I think toyota uses a chain?

I was looking at the 2003 corolla le at the same time which I could have gotten for less. I did get the honda below invoice though.

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: Modeps

Originally posted by: miri
Just got back. They removed the oil and it is now at the fill line. How did they take a little oil out and manage to get the oil cap back in while the oil is coming out? It is a 2003 Civic EX coupe. I am not going back there again. I called Honda about this, they had no clue what the effects were.

Easy, they've got these things that can suck oil right out from the dipstick tube... kinda like a straw in a milkshake! mmmchocolateshake

Or if they don't have one of those vacuums, they pull the plug out for a split second and hope they can hold on to it while trying to screw it back in, with oil coming out all over their hands. I've seen it done a lot and have done it several times myself. 🙂 Don't wear rubber gloves when doing it = way too slippery.

 

[Wingznut]

1/2" on the dipstick is no big deal... Some of you guys are totally overreacting.

How did they drain out 1/2 quart? Easily. Like Slickone said, take out the drain plug for like one second, put drain plug back in. Top it off, if you drained out too much. Yes, it creates quite a mess (especially getting oil all over your hand), but it's the easiest way.

I was a mechanic for over ten years and I've done that several times... But I wore gloves most every time.