your engine? Quarts and ounces. Thanks

 

I don't remember exactly since I have 4 Honda's but I think it was 3.8 quarts. you really should consult your owners manual. It has it listed so you know exactly how much to put it.

 

What I do is, I keep track of the amount required to fill up to the middle of the dipstick's range. Then I write the amount on the emissions sticker under the hood.

At future oil changes I just put the indicated amount into the engine.


There are small variations in oil amounts due to things like which filter is used (some brands are bigger than others) or the slope of the driveway.

 

Check your owners manual.

It should be 3.6 qts without changing the oil filter/ 3.8 qts with a new oil filter.

 

Manual says 3.8 qts. Last change I put in 4 qts, but there was some spillage.

 

is it okay to have it filled to the top dot?

 

Yes. That is the full mark

 

The reason I don't fill to the top is, it's the additive packs in the oil that become depleted first. (Was told this by a respected Exxon-Mobil engineer who gave a talk at our car club.)

So, I only fill half-way up the range hashes on the dipstick. Many thousands of miles later, I'll top up the oil to the full mark, thus giving the additives a shot in the arm (as it were).




Your engine probably would be fine without doing this, but in my mind it's just like changing the oil filter EVERY time (Instead of every other time as Honda recommends).

 

You should get in the habit of only filling it to the half way mark. The full mark is intended for the engine oil at operating temperatures.

 

That sounds not right. Beyond which the oil doesn't expand that much from cold to hot.

 

I've personally seen cars that were at the half mark on the stick when the oil was changed cold (let run for 1 minute then check 3 minutes after stopping engine) reach the max mark after driving the vehicle for 30 minutes. Expansion or contraction i've heard doesnt mean anything to engine oil but this is my own personal experience.

 

4qt, change filter every time. Somehow, even if the manual says 3.8, with 4 it shows just below the "full" mark. The last interval was 7000 miles and the level dropped only about 1/8.

Unless one is extending drain intervals well beyond the MM, I wouldnt worry too much about additive depletion with modern oils. If you are, UOA's with TBN test is recommended. Some of the old myths, like multi-grade oils shearing down in viscosity after 1500 miles, may have been true 40-50 years ago, simply dont apply today. Of course an interesting question is which happens first, additive depletion, contamination buildup, or base oil oxidation. None of this happens in isolation. Its interrelated.

 

Till it reaches the top 710 cap.
If it's inbetween the hash marks your okay.

 

I guess I'm not putting enuf oil in, am I?