Oil Level Check Question

mokhan996

Hey everyone! I’m new to this forum and was curious as stupid as this question may be, I changed my oil not too long ago maybe a month ago? Not even. I checked the dipstick this morning while the motor was cold and it was between the 2 dots, after warming it up to operating temp, it was low, any idea why? Only reason why I ask because I’ve done this oil check test before and after the car was warmed up, the oil level was full.. it’s a 2013 370z for anyone that is wondering because I have seen oil consumption issues in the past years for the 370.

CRiZO

Typically you check it like five to ten minutes after you turn it off (once warm). But if you checked it the same way and it reads lower now, well, you may have an issue.

It'll read lower if you don't get the oil time to drain back into the pan.

cooltoy

Did you check the level right after the oil change?

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Thesmoke90

I think that once the car is warmed up and the oil is circualted through the engine, you are not going to see much on the dipstick (due to there being less oil in the pan)

Check it when the car has cooled down a bit and the oil has dropped back into the pan.

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God-Speed

Regardless of who changes your oil, always check it twice!!!!

SouthArk370Z

Check again after car has sat for a while (an hour or so). If you check immediately after shutting the engine down, some of the oil is still in the engine and hasn't drained back into the pan.

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JARblue

Woah dude








But I agree. Always check behind the idiot mechanics. I've had bags of half-eaten fast food left under the hood after an oil change before

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vtec to vvel

IMO the best time to check the oil level is after the car has sat overnight. This way, the oil has gone to the bottom and will give you the most accurate oil level reading and how much oil is inside the engine. Checking it after turning the car off will not give accurate reading bc the oil is scattered throughout the engine. Also, I like to keep my oil level at 3/4 closest to the full mark.

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mokhan996

Awesome feedback! I'm doing my oil change on my own today, I've been working at Nissan as a tech for 3 years but when it comes to my own car, I become paranoid and clueless to life lol. OCD thing I guess but anyway had my boy do my oil change one day, its weird because on customer 370z we'd put 5.1 quarts but he usually puts 6 quarts, is that correct? Also I checked the dipstick before I posted this thread after it sat over night and it was dead center on the dipstick but after I brought it to operating temp I immediately checked the level and it was a bit over LOW.

Falconquey

Unless you have some type of oil cooler situation going on, I'd say that is incorrect.

When did checking oil levels become so difficult?

JARblue

Are you the Nissan tech who left their lunch under my hood??

You're overthinking this. Drain oil while oil is warm and car is level. Fill with 5 qts fresh oil. Wait a few minutes for oil to settle in pan. Check dipstick.

Based on my dealership knowledge and experience, I guess it shouldn't surprise me that these questions are coming from someone who has been a Nissan tech for 3 years

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Falconquey

No doubt dude! Exactly what I was thinking! And why I always try to avoid dealerships for anything/everything!

mokhan996

What seems incorrect? He claims it takes 6 quarts not sure if you guys also dump in 6 instead of 5.1. Anyways I'll change it myself tonight, I was just curious because I know early model 370z's had consumption problems and I was concerned to fall into that category.

mokhan996

Yeah dude like when I started working here they trained me to follow the "Oil Capacity Chart" which tells you how many quarts to fill judging on year and model of the car, but that chart half the time is wrong and misleading. Of course when techs work on customer cars they're like "oh its not my car" mentality which I despise. I'' throw in 5 tonight and let the car run for a little and I'll check where the level is

JARblue

I've filled my Z with a 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 oil in every oil change (except 2) for 7.5 years and 100K miles. Fills it up to the top mark every time. Don't put 6 quarts in. Check it a few minutes after filling.

You don't need to run the damn car. Quit checking oil while the engine is running or after it has been running.

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