many are going to think this is a dumb questions but I have had dozens of cars and never run into this problem. When I check the oil level on my dipstick, it is on the full mark but when I flip it over and read the back side it says half a quart low. So my question is what is the correct reading? The lowest reading or the side with the markings. The dip stick is curved when it goes in so I think that is what is produceing the diffeant readings.

So all you experts out there how do you read the dipstick? The side with the add and full marks or the lowest reading. I don't want to put half a quart to much or be running it low.

 

Change your oil and put in the correct amount of oil and then check the level that it reads. Of course you will have to run it for a minute and then let all the oil that is going to drain back into the pan drain back. The just check the oil, that will be your answer.

 

If you really want to be sure then just change the oil and put in 5 quarts. then after letting sit awhile start it up let the oil run throughout the engine. Then cut it off and let it sit again. Check the dipstick and see where its at. Mark it and thats where the full line should be.

Damn you 89blue!! You posted a couple seconds faster. oh well.

 

Why are you flipping the dipstick over ?!? You're only supposed to read the side with the crosshatch pattern on it. The reason they put that pattern on there is so the oil stays "stuck" to it while you're taking the dipstick out. If you look at the other side of it where it's nice and slick, the oil already started to make its way down the dipstick, so the reading will be lower. If it's at the full mark on the side with the pattern you're fine!

 

Okay that my answer then I guess. Thanks. Filling it up with 5 quarts throws it over the full line becuase I am useing the smaller oil filter. If I put the large full size filter I am afraid it might get hit. Because of the oil cooler the full size filter hang below the oil pan a little. SO some where around 4 1/2 quarts is full.

How much can you over fill a 5.7 without hurting it?

Thanks again for the replies. This board is way to cool. Have a problem and the experts tell the answer in hours... sometimes minutes

 

I would not overfill it at all, the crank spinning at 5000 rpms, hitting a the oil is not a good thing. Maybe someone else has experimented with this. But I would just fill it to the full mark!

nick

 

Overfilling a half a quart will not be a major problem. It sounds stupid but I had 4 extra quarts in my engine. The story is the after putting the cam and headers on I couldn't use my old dipstick and holder. I broke it trying to get the manifolds off. So me being the moron I sometimes am I decide to put a 305 dipstick and holder in instead. Well it turns out the dipstick was shorter and I ended up over a period of time putting in 4 extra quarts becuase I thought that I had an oil leak. Well anyway I ran It like that for 2 weeks. No harm done. I changed the oil and found my mistake. I now have a new dipstick and tube. running that much oil (4 extra freakin quarts) can hurt the rear main seal (so I've been told). But I could be wrong on that. I really don't think an extra quart will hurt anything but If you know you only need 4 1/2 then put in 4 1/2.

 

With the small filter, run 4.5 to 4.75 quarts. Keep in mind that running it half a quart low won't hurt anything. In fact you will gain a little top end power if you run it a quart low--drag strip only though, I wouldn't run it that low if you corner alot around town. The add line is exactly that--when it gets to the add line add some oil. Between the add and full line is the "safe range".

 

what crosshatch???? Mine has a line with the words add and anouther with the words full no crosshatch patern...