Reading the GT dipstick... or trying to!
Bullitt Member
Joined: July 7, 2005
Posts: 459
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Thank you for that PDF file. I have added it to my notes. When I did my first change on my 2008 GT, it also took 6.5 quarts to get to the fill line, so now I know that mine is normal. Also, I run the 5W50 Syntec, and it is super easy to see the oil on the stick when hot. I do recall that reading the level hot with 5W-20 was a little more difficult.
Not the cheesy booklet you get with the car, I'm talking about the "Shop Manual".
According to the specification, it’s only “full” with 6 quarts if you had a half quart of old oil trapped in the engine. If you want it topped off, and managed to drain a little more then that, then its going to take a little more then 6 quarts to top it off. Does it need to be topped off? No, so long as the level reads between the two holes on the dipstick its fine.
As Andrew said, it is a bit of an annoyance when you do your first oil change and are second-guessing whether you put in enough!
Tim
According to the specification, it’s only “full” with 6 quarts if you had a half quart of old oil trapped in the engine. If you want it topped off, and managed to drain a little more then that, then its going to take a little more then 6 quarts to top it off. Does it need to be topped off? No, so long as the level reads between the two holes on the dipstick its fine.
As Andrew said, it is a bit of an annoyance when you do your first oil change and are second-guessing whether you put in enough!
Tim
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: October 2, 2006
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 16
From: Southeast Michigan
Because its not. The service specifications (I have the .PDF around here somewhere) calls for 6.5 with filter. Granted there is some left in the engine when you drain. If you want to top it off, it actually takes a little more then six.
Don't listen to me though, I'm the guy having problems reading a dipstick.
Tim
Don't listen to me though, I'm the guy having problems reading a dipstick.
Tim
My owner's manual AND 2007 factory service manual both stipulate 6.0 quarts with a new filter. With 6 qt of fresh oil, the dipstick reads "FULL" exactly at the mark.
I drive the Stang onto some sheets of plywood to drain the oil out and I don't see how 1/2 qt of oil stays inside the engine. I change the Vic and E-250 engine oil in the same manner and always end up 1/2 qt below the FULL marks, but the 07 GT is the first car to read FULL with the exact fill spec.
The 2005 FSM shows 6.5 qt, the 2007 FSM shows 6.0 qt (and my 07 owner's manual says the same thing). YMMV.
Last edited by metroplex; Aug 4, 2008 at 03:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Mach 1 Member
Joined: September 10, 2006
Posts: 621
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, TX
For my 2006, it takes about 6 1/4 quarts to read to just below the fill line on the dipstick. "Your mileage may vary" as does HP and other factors despite all our cars having the "same" engine.
Tim
Last edited by tdbrown75; Aug 4, 2008 at 08:04 AM.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: October 2, 2006
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 16
From: Southeast Michigan
I think we can all agree that if the oil level reads between the two holes on the dipstick, then everything is OK. Some might take more, some less, just fill 'er up to the point where you are comfortable and call it a day.
For my 2006, it takes about 6 1/4 quarts to read to just below the fill line on the dipstick. "Your mileage may vary" as does HP and other factors despite all our cars having the "same" engine.
Tim
For my 2006, it takes about 6 1/4 quarts to read to just below the fill line on the dipstick. "Your mileage may vary" as does HP and other factors despite all our cars having the "same" engine.
Tim
Thread Starter
Mach 1 Member
Joined: September 10, 2006
Posts: 621
Likes: 5
From: Dallas, TX
I agree that every dipstick/engine may differ, but the fill capacity for the 2007 GT's 4.6 3V is 6 qt w/ a filter change. I believe this has been the case for almost all 2003-up modular V8s due to the use of a new oil pan (with the exception of the 04-05 GT and possibly the 03-04 Cobra and GT500). I am not sure why the 2005 Mustang GT's FSM lists 6.5 qt as the fill capacity. Did you guys get a dry sump system that I don't know about?
Tim
Last edited by tdbrown75; Aug 4, 2008 at 09:00 AM.
Cobra Member
Joined: August 28, 2006
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
2005 - had their bugs that needed worked out
2006 - bugs fixed, still light weight, great combination (best year),
2007+ heavier, re-invented A/C *****, more bracing for GT500 engine, etc...
2006 year model will prove to be the collectors car in the future!
Oh, and who cares what the oil differences are between cars... if he wants to top it off, let him!
-danny
2006 - bugs fixed, still light weight, great combination (best year),
2007+ heavier, re-invented A/C *****, more bracing for GT500 engine, etc...
2006 year model will prove to be the collectors car in the future!
Oh, and who cares what the oil differences are between cars... if he wants to top it off, let him!
-danny
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: July 23, 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 9
From: Chico, California
I'm I the only one who thinks the dipstick on the GT stinks? When I check my oil, there seems to be a lot of oil stuck to the sides of the dipstick tube I just can’t seem to get any kind of consistent reading at all.
You can kind of see where the stick gets fully submerged, but all of the excess that gets left on the side of the dipstick from the tube makes it really difficult. With fresh oil, it makes trying to get the oil level to the top of the hashed area all but impossible since it pretty much looks overfilled from the start, even when not fully inserting the stick!
This was never a problem with any of my GM cars. Of course the dipstick was probably the only part that was well designed on those!
Tim
You can kind of see where the stick gets fully submerged, but all of the excess that gets left on the side of the dipstick from the tube makes it really difficult. With fresh oil, it makes trying to get the oil level to the top of the hashed area all but impossible since it pretty much looks overfilled from the start, even when not fully inserting the stick!
This was never a problem with any of my GM cars. Of course the dipstick was probably the only part that was well designed on those!
Tim
Bullitt Member
Joined: July 20, 2006
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
tdbrown, I beg to differ with you...my '01 Vette has a dipstick that would drive you nuts...very difficult to read (even after sitting all night)...just change your oil and filter every 3,000 miles (put in the recommended six quarts) and you won't have to worry about ever going low.
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