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Old 02-02-2013, 09:11 AM   #2
mikefocke
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sanford NC
Posts: 2,537
You need to read the manual to understand the graduations on the oil level gauge. It doesn't read full to empty, rather if it was at the bottom of the gauge you'd only be down somewhere around a quart. And if you were at the very top, you'd be overfilled. Keep it between the two lines.

The oil level should be taken with the engine warm and the car on level ground. Since it needs to rest after shut off for the oil to drain down, I like to do it after a fill up of gas.

The dipstick markings aren't full or empty. If not near the top mark you could top it up but not with a full can of oil (or bottle). Start with 1/4 and then close it up, run for a bit and test again. Being down a few markings on the gauge or a bit on the dipstick isn't fatal. But you want to figure out where it is going if it happens often.
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