Captain Ficho Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 For the record, I have a 92 Cutlass Supreme with the 3.4L DOHC. On Saturday morning I checked my oil level and it read below the add line so I grabbed a quart that I had in my trunk and threw it in. I keep every type of fluid in my trunk just in case so it paid off because as soon as I saw it was below the add level I put some more in. That put it just about a quarter over the add line. Then I was busy for the next few days and didn't get a chance to add another one. Fast forward to today, I went to a car parts store and grabbed a quart and put it in. I ran the car for a few minutes and checked the oil level and it showed a fair bit past the full line. Can this be an issue or is it alright to drive the car like this? And is the reading even accurate? I find it hard to believe that a single quart would take it from 1/4 way between add and full to a 1/4 over full... Thanks, Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfewtrail Posted February 11, 2008 Report Share Posted February 11, 2008 You need to take your measurements when the engine is cold, otherwise, you're not going to get an accurate reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Ficho Posted February 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Well I just went and checked, about 2 hours after last driving it and it still read that it was overfilled. I touched the engine with my hand though and it was still pretty hot, so should I just wait until the morning and check then? And would I be good to drive it tomorrow if it still is reading 1/2-3/4 a quart too high? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 For next time, the rule of thumb is to only add oil if it is a quart low. Otherwise, don't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfangd Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 a little under is better than a little over. Thats alot of oil in a week. mine always reads the same whether cold or hot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 For any 3.4 I always make sure to let it sit few minutes to let the oil drain to the crank. Chris, how are you supposed to gauge a quart? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Bottom mark on the dipstick is 1 quart low. Says it right on the dipstick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dohc v6 Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 These motors have a windage tray, so it keeps the oil from foaming, if you do overfill. A little over is not going to hurt anything, now if you are over by more than a quart, you might have a problem. Why are you using so much oil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Bottom mark on the dipstick is 1 quart low. Says it right on the dipstick. Where? I've never seen this before. So if theres nothing on the stick its only a quart low? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildbill Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Bottom mark on the dipstick is 1 quart low. Says it right on the dipstick. Where? I've never seen this before. So if theres nothing on the stick its only a quart low? No that means you are VERY low, add oil immediately. On the dipstick there is a fill mark and a hatched region and a low mark. The low mark is the add 1 quart to fill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5speedz34 Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Bottom mark on the dipstick is 1 quart low. Says it right on the dipstick. Where? I've never seen this before. So if theres nothing on the stick its only a quart low? No that means you are VERY low, add oil immediately. On the dipstick there is a fill mark and a hatched region and a low mark. The low mark is the add 1 quart to fill. So the bottom of the hatched mark is 1 quart low? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotrodolds Posted February 13, 2008 Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Ficho Posted February 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2008 These motors have a windage tray, so it keeps the oil from foaming, if you do overfill. A little over is not going to hurt anything, now if you are over by more than a quart, you might have a problem. Why are you using so much oil? Now that I know the add line means you are a quart low, I was 1 1/2 quart low before and I put 2 in. Which means I'm about 1/2 quart over... meh. Just a stupid mistake, it was cold out and I didn't take the time to check the level after adding the first quart and just threw another in. 1/2 over is not a big deal anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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