Hi everyone,

I just did the first oil change (Honda Synth Blend 5w20 & Fram Xtra Guard Filter). I refilled with 3.8 quarts as indicated in the manual with oil filter replacement. BUT, why does my dipstick indicated I am about 1/4 to 1/3 quarts low?

Thank you for your advice.

2010 Fit Sport, Automatic.

 

did you put the oil drain plug back in:?

 

Its more like 4.0-4.2 because you have to fill the filter.

 

Yes I did. In fact, I used the Fumoto drain valve. Nothing is leaking, and am sure I poured in 3.8 Qts.

 

Thanks, but Manual says 3.8 qts. with oil filter replacement. Less if without changing out the filter.

 

did u put the oil cap back on, let it run for a couple min, and check the dipstick again?

 

+1

 

To get the true full reading, you need to let it sit for at least 5 minutes (10 is better) to allow oil to drain back into crankcase. In the past I have often been impatient & added more oil after a few minutes, only to check the dipstick in the morning after it has sat 12 hours to find that I have overfilled it. Be patient, don't worry if it is 3/4 full initially. That won't hurt your engine.

 

Thank you all. I did put the oil cap back.
Alright. I will be patient and wait. Thank you again.

 

My Fit took 4.2/4.5 quarts, it must be a miss print.

 

Hi Silverbullet,

Thanks. That is very interesting. I plan to wait until tomorrow and check oil level again. If it is still low, the question is: 1) is it a misprint, or 2) 3.8qts. is accurate but the dipstick may be in error (manufactured too short)?
We may be overfilling thinking it is perfectly full due to honda's dipstick error in size/length. Afterall, its what the engine needs...3.8 or what ever the amount. Honda literature says 3.8qts.; while dipstick shows "Low."
What is a FIT Owner to do?!

I will be writing to Honda, and will be calling a couple of dealership service advisors to hear what they have to say.

 

I always take my car to the dealer. My Fit always had M1 5w20 and they put in 4 quarts and sometimes they filled it and left the extra oil in the car. It was a little low so I would drive about a 1000 miles before topping it off with store bought M1 5w20.



I would drive the car and let it sit, sometimes the oil sticks to the parts and runs down overnight. As long as its past 1/2 way full on the dip stick your OK just add the rest of the 4th quart.. My car never burned oil so at times I would not add oil before next oil change. Honda dealer know this and they always under fill when they use oil bottles. Semi synthetic is a good choice too.


I but 11 gallons in a 10.8 gallon tank a few times too when I still had a little fuel in there. Its just a Honda thing.

 

Thanks again SilverBullet,

I get a discount at Honda so paid just $3/qt. for Honda 5w20 Synthetic Blend. After this first change, I do plan to start using just Penzoil Ultra 5w20 & a good filter every 7K mile interval.

 

I put 3.8 quarts yesterday and it shows 3/4 full too. I dont know why but I am going to top it off to the full mark on the dip stick.

 

John21031,
Have you driven it a bit and let it sit a while, then recheck on level ground?

 

Yeah, i drove 16 miles to work and checked after work...on a perfectly leveled ground. My car has always taken at least 4 quarts it seems. Which is good... more oil, more capacity to absorb heat, dissolve contamination material, and maintain its integrity.

 

I agree....but I wanna investigate if Honda fits are really 4 qts. But advised 3.8 so customers won't overfill.
This is likely the case, with a small margin that its a misprint or manufacture error producing a physically short dipstick.

 

Who would overfill if it called for exactly 4 quarts? They sell oil IN quarts.

 

Personally, it's a bit of a semantic arguement, but I wouldn't call 3/4ths showing your Oil is "low". You do not want to overfill. I'd rather be at 3/4ths than over....

It's far easier over the course of days...to simply add a little if you feel more comfortable closer to the "full" mark. If you overfill? It's more of a pain and potentially more damaging.

Honda says 3.8, interesting that so many of you are reporting that 3.8 is leaving you 1/4th to 1/3rd below the fill mark...but if you are changing your own oil? Fixing this problem should be easy.

I'd suspect as many of you already have, that Honda simply is being conservative. If they recommend a fill capacity that puts it right at the top? How many people are going to overfill?

 

just food for thought. Honda says burning one quart of oil per 1000 miles is acceptable.... that's within specs. I about died when I heard that from my dealership.. they crazy