Oil Level Check Question
 

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.

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.

Did you check the level right after the oil change?

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.

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

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.

Woah dude :wtf2:






:rofl2:

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 :eekdance:

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.

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.

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?

Are you the Nissan tech who left their lunch under my hood?? :icon08:

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 :shakes head:

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

:confused: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.

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

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.

Gotcha!

Again, exactly why I avoid dealerships.

I honestly don't blame you bud, I really don't. Lol. If I didn't know how to work on my own, I'd never in my life bring it to a dealer unless theres a recall. That's it.

And you don't know how to check your oil level. Why am I not surprised? :shakes head:

Haha, hey when its my own, I become too paranoid and overthink any little noise or concern. It's always been a flaw lol. Like I have a Tomei Single Exit and the piping sits so low to the ******* ground so anytime I think I scraped it by going over a speed bump or anything, I'll lift the car up and inspect the exhaust maybe 50 times to make sure I didn't scratch it. Everyone tells me I'm too paranoid lol :(

So if you work on other people’s cars, you couldn’t give two sh*ts whether you thoroughly perform the job or not and accurately?

The oil capacity in the manual and your chart is based on an empty engine. When you drain the oil of your engine, you will not get 100% all of it out.

What? So then if you knew how to work on your own, you’d bring it to the dealer?

Checking your oil level twice a day is being "paranoid." That's not the problem.

Assuming you are actually a Nissan Tech with three years of experience, then ignorance is not the problem.

That doesn't leave a whole lot of options, bless your heart.

Seriously? and you claim to be a Nissan Technician? :confused:

same here... 5 quart jug is perfect.

After reading your posts, I am curious what kind of work do you do exactly at Nissan.

It's not personal, but I would be afraid if you work on my car.

My 2011 held 5.3qts. & put it on the top dot....checked once a week.
Always checked cold in the morning; never seen a difference in the level from being warm...Also used extended life Mobil 1 5w/30.
:tup:

:facepalm:

Mine has a leak from the cooler and I am to lazy to fix it. So 6 quarts it is!!!!Maybe even 7 if I am feeling fancy!!!

I'm wondering the same, there's no way this guy does actual repairs right? Do they have separate staff just for oil changes and other simple stuff?

Lol its just my paranoia when it comes to my car. Driving down the road I hear a noise coming from underneath, I'm like hoooolllllld up, I pull over and inspect everything and it concludes that I ran over a pebble. smfh. I'm not one of those ******** at the dealership not caring for others vehicles. When it comes to mine? I'm just extra EXTRA careful.

Lol everything from brakes, trans, flushes, every recall for Nissan, etc

Another candidate for http://www.the370z.com/lounge-off-to...-classics.html

Troll........