The dip stick keeps reading the level differently. I don't know how to get an accurate reading. You're suppose to change the oil at 5,000 miles, right?

What do I do? The dealership is closed today and was closed yesterday. I heard a weird sound while accelerating and I check the oil level and I keep getting a different reading.


What happens if you drive with low oil? How about with too much oil? Should I just add a court of 5-20 to be on the safe side til tomorrow?

Thanks.

 

On level ground after the car has been sitting for 5 to 10 minutes, pull stick, wipe once, stick it back in and pull it and check the level.

Easy-cheesy...

And change interval can be as high as 10,000 miles if you want to let it go that far and the oil life indicator still shows oil life is not all the way down.

 

What kind of noise did you hear? Oil problems will generally not make any noise until the loud clang just before the engine seizes up completely.

Under acceleration you may here a pinging or knocking noise that is usually caused by pre-ignition which can be resolved by running higher octane fuel. But if it's not too loud and only happens occasionally under heavy acceleration you can safely ignore it.

 

I have about 5,300 Miles on it right now and it says oil change required. I keep getting a different reading on the stick. I just added 2 quarts of pennzoil 5-30 since it's all I can find anywhere. Everywhere is closed. I'm going to check the reading in a sec. I'll take a picture of the stick.


Thanks.

 

You added 2 QTS to a brand new car? Does the factory fill the cars or the Dealer during prep?

 

It looks like it was low so I added some until I take it in tomorrow morning.

 

I just dipped it in there after adding 2 quarts.

 

Well I am going to assume that a factory employee drives them up on the car carrier so I am going to again assume that the factory fills them.

 

you know that you can ruin a motor by adding to much oil

 

Most vehicles will display the check engine light, or the oil light when oil level just reaches the bottom of the 'Normal' range (the bottom of the cross-hatched section). Even my 1992 Explorer did this. I bought it used, and before I realized that it had an oil leak problem, the oil light came on. I'm sure that if this existed in 1992, the new Mustang does as well.

Obviously, I wouldn't drive around and blindly trust that the car will tell me when the oil level is low. However, 2 quarts of oil is ALOT of oil to add. Typically it only takes 1 quart to go from the bottom of the cross-hatch to the top of the cross-hatched section on the dipstick.

If you didn't have any low-level indications, and you added 2 quarts, its very possible that you over-filled it.

Honestly, if I were you, I'd do an oil change, and fill it with the amount that the factory manual calls for. That way you know exactly how much oil is in the car. Then, pay careful attention to the dipstick, and see what it reads when the car has correct amount of oil in it. Additionally, remember where this is on the dipstick for future reference when checking the oil level. The dipstick reading on certain vehicles may not be exactly at the top of the cross-hatch when the crankcase is full. It's good to know what the factory specified level reads on the dipstick.

 

Thanks but based on those pictures of the dip stick. What is it reading? I can't tell. It looks low. Everywhere is closed today so I can't even get oil to change it myself. I'm at work, home is exactly 6 miles from here. The nearest dealer is under 3 miles from my house. I can take it in tomorrow morning. I'll keep it revving really low. I don't know what else to do.

 

Were you checking it hot and then cold? ALWAYS check it with the engine warm. Please tell me the engine wasn't running when you pulled the dipstick right?

 

The engine wasn't running when I checked it. The engine was warm and off. I don't understand why I can't get an accurate reading. Its so weird. It's always different every time I dip it and read it.

 

Best way to check oil level, level ground, cold in the morning before you start the car.

If you over filled it, just get the oil changed. Go to a full synthetic, Mobil 1, etc.

 

Mobil 1 isn't full synthetic. Sorry.

 

Don't feak out. It does look alittle low from your pic. Especially if u added 2 qts. for some reason. Take it in tomorrow and tell them what is going on. They will explain to u how to chek the oil. I also would think that oil idiot light would come on too if it was too low. Make sure the car is on level ground Then check it. If u have to drive it, drive it slow. But i wouldn't. I always check the oil when it is cold. (before u start it)That way you know all the oil is in the pan.

 

No light came on. It should be right at the second hole, shouldn't it? The car has been sitting for an other hour now. I'll check it now and take another picture.

I doubt that there's a light that's suppose to come on though.


Thanks everyone.

 

It's really hard to tell based on your pictures. Also, when oil is new or changed really recently, it can be hard to read level on the dipstick because it can be hard to see.

The others may be able to help you as to where it should read. My oil pan, and oil capacity, is different. Also, like I said before, it doesn't necessarily mean that it needs to be at the second hole.

Case in point- My 2003 F350 V10 takes 6 quarts according to the owners manual. Checking the oil level after an oil change (adding 6 quarts) shows that oil level is almost at the bottom hole of the dipstick. Every car is different. IMO, it's more important to know where it is considered full, rather than filling it to the top hole on the dipstick.

 

I disagree.

I agree.

Top of the hash marks. Don't go over the top hole or under the bottom hole.



While every pan is different, my old Land Cruiser took 9 qts. When you added a qt, it only came about halfway up the hash marks.

Your owners manual is your friend.

Here's from my 4.6 manual:

 

You should be sorry, your wrong!


http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...l_1_5W-20.aspx