Checking Oil
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, Michigan
Checking Oil What is the best way to check the Oil in my 00' LS1 ? I have heard many different theories on this due to the oil pump. How long after I add oil will the dipstick show me the true reading ? Due I need to leave the car turned off for a certain amount of time before checking it 2 get a true reading ?
The owners manual says to check the oil when the engine is warm, drive it some were let it sit for a few mins then check the oil level. If it is just at or below the operating range it could take a quart it get it in the middle of the xxxxxx's....
Next time you do an oil change and you put 5.5 quarts back in, let the engine cool down 100%, take the dipstick out and file a little mark at the full level. Then from that day forward only check the oil when its dead cold and you'll have a 100% accurate reading.
I have 3 marks I made on mine for 1,2,3 quarts low.
Put just 3.5 quarts of new oil in, make a mark, then add another and make a mark, then add the last quart and make a mark.
Done.
I have 3 marks I made on mine for 1,2,3 quarts low.
Put just 3.5 quarts of new oil in, make a mark, then add another and make a mark, then add the last quart and make a mark.
Done.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, Michigan
Next time you do an oil change and you put 5.5 quarts back in, let the engine cool down 100%, take the dipstick out and file a little mark at the full level. Then from that day forward only check the oil when its dead cold and you'll have a 100% accurate reading.
I have 3 marks I made on mine for 1,2,3 quarts low.
Put just 3.5 quarts of new oil in, make a mark, then add another and make a mark, then add the last quart and make a mark.
Done.
I have 3 marks I made on mine for 1,2,3 quarts low.
Put just 3.5 quarts of new oil in, make a mark, then add another and make a mark, then add the last quart and make a mark.
Done.
Well, for years now I've been putting all 6 quarts in at every oil change. That extra 3/4 of a quart makes no difference and its there as oil burns anyway. But yes, you might as well throw that 3/4 of a quart in too now. All 6.
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 517
Likes: 1
You should always drain the oil when it's warm, first of all. After pulling the plug & filter, I always refill with 6 qts. I know the book says 5.5 and part stores tell you 5.5, but it's closer to 6 after a full, clean drain.
As far as checking oil, the car should be cool. Pull the dipstick. Letting it cool lets most of the oil drain from the heads back into the pan. This is a more accurate level check, as well as the reason that A FULL DRAIN is closer to 6 qts. after the valvetrain empties itself.
As far as checking oil, the car should be cool. Pull the dipstick. Letting it cool lets most of the oil drain from the heads back into the pan. This is a more accurate level check, as well as the reason that A FULL DRAIN is closer to 6 qts. after the valvetrain empties itself.
Next time you do an oil change and you put 5.5 quarts back in, let the engine cool down 100%, take the dipstick out and file a little mark at the full level. Then from that day forward only check the oil when its dead cold and you'll have a 100% accurate reading.
I have 3 marks I made on mine for 1,2,3 quarts low.
Put just 3.5 quarts of new oil in, make a mark, then add another and make a mark, then add the last quart and make a mark.
Done.
I have 3 marks I made on mine for 1,2,3 quarts low.
Put just 3.5 quarts of new oil in, make a mark, then add another and make a mark, then add the last quart and make a mark.
Done.
This kind of goes without saying, but I'll say it because no one else has yet. Always check oil with the car parked on LEVEL ground. If you park on a hill it's gonna be off from what it really it.
Yea, there's just some things where people give 100 different ways that they say is the correct way to check something. Even the manufacturer is wrong sometimes.
This way is 100% accurate every time. Cold check with your own marks on the dipstick.
And if for some reason you want to pull over when its hot and check it, the level will end up somewhere between the marks you made on the dipstick, so you can very accurately know whats in the engine. There's gonna be some, maybe a 1/2-3/4 of a quart, that will take a little bit to drain back into the pan, so just add 1/2-3/4 of a quart to whatever it reads.
This way is 100% accurate every time. Cold check with your own marks on the dipstick.
And if for some reason you want to pull over when its hot and check it, the level will end up somewhere between the marks you made on the dipstick, so you can very accurately know whats in the engine. There's gonna be some, maybe a 1/2-3/4 of a quart, that will take a little bit to drain back into the pan, so just add 1/2-3/4 of a quart to whatever it reads.
