I did an oil change today and put 4 quarts of 5w30 Mobil 1 in my car. How much oil do you guys usually put in?? Just Curious

 

4 quarts should get you right in the middle of the dipstick readout, which is fine (if you can read the damn thing, that is.)

 

4-1/4 seems to put me right at FULL.

 

Well, considering that 4.25 quarts is completely full, and the likelihood that you've drained all the oil out of the pan while the car is on ramps in your driveway is not 100%...

...I'd fill it with 4, drive it for a day or two, and then top off with the final 1/4 as necessary (I'd rather run slightly under than risk overfilling.)

 

Sandman, I've looked underneath to scope out the situation and when it does come time to changing the oil (only have 750 miles on the odo right now) I do plan on using my homemade wooden ramps (only lifts about 4") to facilitate getting underneath and then allowing the oil to drain. The plug is located at an angle on the backside of the pan (facing rear). It seems that being on my ramps that the oil should drain even better than being in a completely level position. Of course, the best way to tell is to measure the oil that comes out (assuming you didn't burn any).

 

You're right, for the most part. But keep in mind that Nissan designed the car to have the oil drained on a lift in a level position.

When you use ramps, there is a tendency for oil to collect in certain engine "crevices" that would normally drain when the car is level.

And be sure to let the oil drain for an extended amount of time. I've seen people pull the oil-plug, wait until it slows to a trickle and then close it back up. Combine this with the non-level positioning caused by using ramps, and you have a recipe for overfilling if you use the full 4.25 quarts right away.

Of course, you could always buy a good hydraulic jack and 4 jackstands. This will get the car much higher off the ground, allowing you to yank the plastic shroud back a little easier. Not to mention that you can crawl around under there and inspect things like the exhaust. But make sure it's on jackstands. You take your life in your hands using only 1 or 2 hydraulic jacks...

 

Sandman, roger on the good info. Don't worry I'll let it drain for long time (in the Vette I have to let it drain for at least 20 mins because of the baffling in the oil pan and then I have to jack the rear up to get the last half quart of oil out...the drainplug on the LS1 engine faces forward).
Is the dipstick in the Maxima easier to read if you read it the next morning (i.e. sitting overnight)? I have to do that with the Vette.

 

Yes, I usually check it after letting it sit for a few hours (or overnight.)

Nissan should be drawn and quartered for providing such a crappy dipstick design, since oil is the lifeblood of the engine, and checking it shouldn't be so damn hard.

I fear for all the less mechanically-inclined people driving Max's who let their local service station check their oil. If you look at the stick 5 mins after stopping the engine, it always reads a quart low. Frightening.

But, to answer your question, I sometimes have to read both sides of the dipstick and take a composite guess as to the level, because the dipstick pathway always coats the entire length of the piece with oil.

I've got a VW 1.8T as well, and Nissan could learn a thing or two. A perfectly straight dipstick, with rubber guides to keep it from bouncing off the engine walls. Nice, accurate readings every time.

 

Sandman, good, I'll check it the next day. I've only pulled it once in the last month (since I picked her up) and I agree it's very difficult to read. Same as the Vette, but I figure if you change your oil regularly...(and always check that you don't have any leaks) then you should be ok. After what you've told me, I'll just turn the Maxima facing the street (since my driveway slopes downwards towards the street). Being on ramps which only lift about 4 inches should keep her almost level in that position. Again, thanks for the info. Mark

 

No prob... just make sure to jam a couple of wheel chocks under the rear wheels if you're gonna face the car down a slope. I used to do this on the street, and all it takes is someone accidentally hitting the e-brake and... gooooombye.

 

Roger that! I want to be around to enjoy driving her!

 

What would be the worst case scenario if I overfilled the crankcase? I think i put in 4.5 qts at last change. Let me know if it is a serious enough problem that i should drain some right now.

 

I checked my oil today and the level was about an inch above full. When i changed the oil I had the car on level ground and let the oil drain for roughly 30 minutes, while I did other stuff in the garage. I put 4 qts of Mobil 1 in my car. This is what I always put in and its perfect. Should I drain a little oil out tonight or just let it be?

 

I sincerely doubt that an additional .25 quart will do much damage, there's usually a small bit of leeway with the factory specs.

If your dipstick reads well past the full mark (.5 quart or more), I'd consider draining some out.

With an overfilled crankcase, there is an increased possibility of aerating the oil (foaming from contact with the crankshaft and the like), which decreases its effectiveness.

 

Melmo, a quarter of a quart shouldn't really cause any concern. You'll probably burn it off. Just next time when you change the oil put in the proper re-fill of 4 and a quarter quarts (4.25).

 

If the car was warmed up before draining the oil (cold oil drains like ****), then I'd attribute it to the POS dipstick Nissan uses.

If you've been doing the change religiously with 4 quarts at a time, and don't add between changes, its definitely a bad reading.

 

Car was cold when i checked it this morning. I dont know why nissan would put such a cheap dipstick in?

Edit: The car was not fully warmed up when I changed the oil. I got home 2 hours before from my 30 minute commute. I pulled it in my garage, after letting it sit outside. This could account for more oil in the engine b/c the oil wasn't warmed.

 

Like I said 4-1/4 puts me right at FULL.

I check often, NOT just after I change my oil.

 

What?! 4 qt get u to the middle of the thing? I added 4 qt and bring me to the every top (between the letter "H") maybe I didnt empty it good enough.

yea...that meter is a piece of crap...u have to cool the car down a bit to take a reading.