First Oil Change

Billarf

Please explain your rationale on this ............ 5 1/8 quarts (5 quarts, 4 ounces) will bring the oil level mark almost exactly between the dipsticks "Low" and "High" mark holes.. IF the dipstick shows oil on the dipstick at the top hole as mentioned then to me the vehicle is filled with over 5 1/8 qts. of oil. Again, Nissan states 5 1/8 quarts (see manual and pic in manual) which registers mid way between the low and high holes on the dipstick.. IF one fills to the high hole there is more then 5 1/8 qts. of oil in the vehicle plain and simple! Filling with 5 1/8 new oil plus some old oil remaining in the engine, pan then you may see reading above the dipstick reading a little higher then midway between the "Low" and "High" mark holes.. As long as the oil is no higher then the high mark then all is aok but why fill to the high hole routinely if it is not indicated/necessary..............

Modshack

Is this your first car??? Seriously, when has it not been appropriate to fill to the H Mark?
Forget the nissan "recs". Full is full and, as has been pointed out, there are many variables that may make 5 and 1/8 qts. appropriate or not.

To many guys here don't check their oil at all... You could easily drift into the danger zone after several thousand miles by only filling it half way between L and H.. Many here have come close to seizing engines for this reason.

More oil equals more cooling. Fill to the H mark.

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Billarf

Well, I'm 61 years old and to date I have owned over 19 -new- performance cars and trucks. Actually at 19 new vehicles I lost track or gave up counting I guess you would say. I have owned Vette, Cobra, Porsche, Mustang, Ford Lighting, 280Z turbo and the likes.

I have always filled a stock vehicle with the recommended fill amount as per the factory. If the factory says 6 quarts it is six quarts. Says 5 1/8 it is 5 1/8. I am by the way, a bit of a motor head and have been for many years. I do most of my own vehicle work/mods. I'm into High performance cars, bikes, 4 wheelers. In regard to the 370Z. It has a low and high mark (no actual full mark) and the manual clearly states proper fill is between the two marks with recommended oil input at oil change (per factory) being 5 1/8 quarts. Indeed filling up to the high mark on the 370Z dip stick is usually alright and as you said will keep you in oil lets say longer since the 370Z seems to like to use oil. Point I wanted to make is that FACT is the proper fill per the manual is 5 1/8 regardless of the rationale of someone on a forum. For me over filling that a novice or anyone at that matter might due is harmful in itself. Best bet is to teach / preach what the factory says and not what some forum individual decides is best. Hopefully, this thread will make those here that are not savvy know that overfilling is an issue just as under filling/running low is. The really best bet is to fill as per the FACTORY recommendation for the 370Z which is 5 quarts 4 ounces and then monitor your dipstick religiously/closely. Add oil as needed. Keep the oil level of an at operating temperature 370Z between the low and high marks on the dipstick just as Nissan recommends.

Yes, more oil offers more cooling, etc. and sure a few ounces more is a plus but if you are going to preach /recommend extra oil by over filling then state the factory recommendation and then your work around / idea of how to get more oil in the picture via overfilling. Teach by the book and then give your personal ideas and let the vehicle owner decide what he or she wants to do.

Billarf

Taken directly from the 370z manual

Modshack

Yeah, well I'm the same age and have had 57 High Performance cars. Filling to the H mark is always what I've done. It's the best way to monitor usage between changes. Do what you want...I don't really care. Too many here don't even check anyway until the engine starts making noises. With this crowd, buying a little time is the difference between trashing a motor or not.. It's happened more than a few times here.

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Billarf

I'm not wanting to be-labor a point or get into a pissing contest here.. I just think since so many novices are here (first time car owners, young guys/gals) that info posted should be factual and by the manual. Armed with the facts / by the manual recommendations the vehicle owner can now decide what he or she personally with knowledge wants to do. Going per the manual or ignoring same is the owner's decision.

As for me if the manual says proper fill is such a spot on the dipstick then that is the fill point! If I want more oil in the system I go with a larger aftermarket oil pan, cooler, oil filter..... I am always very careful to warn a novice lets say that overfilling an engine can cause major, major issues just as running low on oil. As mentioned I try to pound into their heads, check oil levels routinely and throw in caveats about tire pressure, etc.

Mod Shack .... Did not mean to step on your toes or to . I from reading your posts on this forum do know that you are lets say savvy and provide lots and lots of valuable info here.

ChrisSlicks

As you said yourself, the manual states that proper fill is between the L and H marks. It does not say half-way between, so the common interpretation is that safe operation is anywhere between the marks. Given that the vehicle likes to consume oil, filling as close as possible to the H mark without going over is always going to be the safest approach long term. However in using this technique you have to give plenty of time for the oil to drain to the bottom of the pan to get an accurate reading.

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toner123

Well not like anyone asked for my opinion but here it is lol. First off I am in the Navy and I work on helicopters, MH-60S. I work in the Power Plants work center and pretty much my job is the maintaining of Turbo Shaft Engines, Rotor systems, and Gear Boxes. Now are engines both have a high and a low mark. To put it short if I CDI (inspector) a engine servicing to the high mark I am going to be in a world of sh$t. Now I can provide explaining on why we don't service it that high. As we all know when oil heats up it expands, well if there is to much oil in there you will have more expansion and no where for the oil to go. So if there is no where for the oil to go its going to start making its own room by pushing through seals, and working its way to the combustion section. Well I am no car guru but i can promise you that a car engine works the same exact way. The reason I would imagine Nissan has you service it that much is that it allows the room for expansion. The higher you put your oil on the dipstick from the recommended point is the less open room your oil has to expand. Now i promise you that if you start your car let it get to operating temp then shut it off and wait 15mins-1hr that your oil level is going to be way above that H mark if you are servicing it there, due to the expansion. Now service the car with the recommended oil amount and do the same thing it will be at the High point which is fine because the oil expanded and it is still in the safe range. So in other words I agree with Billarf, you want the oil to have room to expand or your going to ruin your engine. Oil is Oil regardless on what you use it on, basic characteristics apply. I am a person that does maintenance by the book, in my job if you don't then you kill someone The info i just gave is how we service a multi million dollar engine so we don't destroy it or kill someone due to it failing. What I say is it is your car do what ever the heck you want with it, run it in to a wall, drive it into a lake, go drive it with out any oil for all I car as long as no one gets hurt. I will service my oil to what Nissan says to service it to because I know what can happen with to much oil.

Frank