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Did the usual oil change this weekend, and as normal when they see my truck or Vette up in the air working on it, neighbors and friends always come around and shoot the BS. Seems I never get much done when they come around.

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ANYWAY, I seldom check the dipstick , knowing I put 10 quarts in, and 10 quarts is 10 quarts right? Well my dipstick is showing almost 2 full notches below full.

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In this humble forums opinion what would you do? Leave it at 10 or fill it up? I approximate it would take 1 ½ to 2 quarts to top it off.

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Before you ask, yes I did make sure the stick was fully seated, the truck was level, (well close to level) and I checked it 3 times. <o:p></o:p>

Are you sure you're getting an accurate reading on the dipstick? I've had to drill holes in mine to get consistent readings.

I have seen the same thing after my oil changes. Usually I wait till its down a full quart and then add one. Ideally 10 qts. should equal "full" but for half a quart of oil laying around, it just doesn't seem to be worth the effort.

At every oil change I add 10 quarts (2 gal, right?) and the oil level never shows up on the dipstick.......unless I pull the dipstick after it has been in the truck for a few hours.

Very odd.

10 Quarts = 2.5 gallons

10 quarts puts mine right at the full mark after an oil/filter change.

Uhhmm..............Manny.......are those canadian quarts?

I've always assumed 4 qts to 1 gal..........

10 qts = 2 1/2 gal in my shop....;)

Damn........too slow at the keyboard..........

There are 4 qts to a gallon. 2 1/2 gallons to a fill
Put in 10 quarts then after all of the oil has drained down into the pan check level. This is where correct level is on your dip stick.

Mine is always right on with 2.5 gal. (10 qts.)

Cold oil can take a bit to run down into the pan if you have run the engine after adding the 10 qts.
Mine always shows a little low after I back it down off the ramps. Let it sit for 15 and check it again.

I put 11 in and don't worry about it. Thats where the full mark is on mine.

This may be a stupid question, but are you sure you put in 10 qts? One time Dad had somebody bring their own oil when they brought their car in and one of their quarts was sealed, but only 1/2 full. It was pretty obvious in a quart bottle, but in a gallon or 2.5 gallon jug you may not notice a quart missing.

I am kind of funny about making sure the oil level is full since I know my wife won't check it because that is why she keeps me around! If I let the truck sit and drain all of the oil out for 30 minutes or so while I do other stuff, it takes 11 quarts. The oil also stays clean for a long time after letting all of the old stuff trickle out.:cool:

This is very odd then because Ive been adding two gallons every time I change the oil, and every time I check the stick on the first pull, it shows full.............Maybe they are screwy Amsoil gallons........ha

Isn't there something about the pan design having a hump in the middle making it next to impossible to completely drain the sump when the vehicle is on a level surface? I always raise the front tires about 10" after I think I've drained everything out and still get a good amount come out. Maybe this is why some have to add 10qts and others 11qts? Before I added my bypass filter I would use 9L which is just over 2 US Gallons for an oil change.

And the math class continues. 9 liters is 2.36 gallons. I fill the filter with 1/2 to 3/4 quart and put a 2 1/2 jug in the engine. Later! Frank

Just did oil and filter on my truck day before yesterday. I have the Amsoil BK-17 dual remote filter, so it always takes me 11 quarts for full flow only, 12-1/2 for full flow and bypass. I run the front wheels up on ramps for an oil change- tips the pan back for better draining and gives me more "belly room" for crawling in and out. After the pan has fully drained from the Fumoto valve and the filter housing has stopped dripping I put a full quart of oil in the full-flow filter and spin it on. Then I add 2 gallon jugs to the engine and check the stick. Usually shows full on the stick at this point, but that's just the pan and the filter gallery and some of the upper engine have drained back. I fire it up and wait til oil pressure stabilizes and then shut it down. Now the stick shows bone dry. The tenth quart puts level back on the stick and the eleventh brings her right up to the mark. A both filter changeout is the same, except the bypass takes a quart and a half to pre-fill. Point being that you should always "pump her up" by idling the engine for a while before reading level because you've pooled quite a bit of extra oil in the pan on a change. I always try to wait about the same time after shutdown before checking the oil at a fillup or other times for consistency. Usually its about 3 to 5 minutes after shutdown - the time it takes to add fuel treatment, start up and get the fuel hose running and pop the hood to check the oil.

I will open my Fumoto Valve and drain it down for a good 1/2 hour while I do other things like grease the zerks, general checking, etc.

After that I will put 10 Quarts in, fresh filter, let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the fresh oil to drain into the pan and then start her up, I let her run 1-2 minutes, shut it down again and let it sit for 1/2 hour...........usually it is within the full range.........sometimes if I do not need to drive her right away I will re-check several hours later or the next day.......

Seems to take 10 - 10~1/2 Quarts every time.

T;) NY

I will open my Fumoto Valve and drain it down for a good 1/2 hour while I do other things like grease the zerks, general checking, etc.

After that I will put 10 Quarts in, fresh filter, let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the fresh oil to drain into the pan and then start her up, I let her run 1-2 minutes, shut it down again and let it sit for 1/2 hour...........usually it is within the full range.........sometimes if I do not need to drive her right away I will re-check several hours later or the next day.......

Seems to take 10 - 10~1/2 Quarts every time.

T;) NY
Ten quarts in the pan plus 1/2-3/4 quart poured in the new filter before screwing on, equal ten & 1/2-3/4 quarts every time I change oil on my baby.
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GM, the owners manual and Helms state 10 quarts with filter change for the 6.6 Duramax.The full mark is at the last indent on the cable dipstick end ,not the where the cable meets the bullet style end.

That should make it 10 quarts.Has for the last 4 years of ownership on my truck and I have done EVERY oil change.I even jack the nose to drain as much as I can.

11 or 12 quarts means your over full IMO

GM, the owners manual and Helms state 10 quarts with filter change for the 6.6 Duramax.The full mark is at the last indent on the cable dipstick end ,not the where the cable meets the bullet style end.

That should make it 10 quarts.Has for the last 4 years of ownership on my truck and I have done EVERY oil change.I even jack the nose to drain as much as I can.

11 or 12 quarts means your over full IMO

I agree, thats why I didnt add any more.

With 10 quarts in my Dmax, it leaves 2 notches below the "F" with NO oil on it.

currently have 86,000+ on the truck & have changed oil every 5,000 miles ... when changing oil & filter it has consistently required me to add 11 quarts in order to bring it to full on the dip stick.. have never had to add a quart between changes


Jim

IMHO it doesn't make one bit of difference if it has 10 or 11. Later! Frank

IMHO it doesn't make one bit of difference if it has 10 or 11. Later! Frank
Frank....you crack me up sometimes!:lol:

Well, i drained the factory fill and changed the filter for the first time not more than a month ago. I drained into a 10 quart bucket and sure enough, overflowed it. It was still running for a little bit into the second bucket and this didn't even include the oil from the filter. Anyway, upon refill i just filled it until full on the dipstick, started it and let pressure stabilize to let the filter fill and then added to full again. It is a little hard to get exactly 10 quarts from a 55 gallon drum of oil, so i just go by the stick.