Another "adding oil" question

[mwr]

My 2015 FFH has 4500 miles on it so of course doesn't need any oil added. But I thought I should at least know what I'm doing if it ever should need oil. I read one long thread here about adding oil. My comments and questions are...

 

- According to the manual, the MAX mark is the upper hole in the dipstick, not the top of the cross marks as stated in that thread.

 

- The manual says "If the level is at the MIN mark (the lower hole), add oil immediately." "Do not add oil further than the MAX mark. Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage."

 

- The manual doesn't say how much oil it takes to go from the MIN mark to the MAX mark. I assume ti's not less that a quart since oil comes in quarts.

 

- What would you do if you checked your oil and it was a bit above the MIN mark? Would you add a quart?

Edited February 7, 2015 by mwr

[md13ffhguy]

I would add ¾ quart, or whatever it takes to get it to the max line. The way I've always looked at it is, the range is there to let me know whether or not the level has fallen too low. If it drops faster than expected, that's a clue to check it more often. Technically, you're not low on oil unless it's below the lower mark, but I prefer to keep it at max as much as possible.

Edited February 7, 2015 by md13ffhguy

[Easy Rider]

What he said.

 

Note though that having a couple of extra ounces of oil in there will NOT make your engine explode.

 

I wouldn't be the least bit concerned if it was over the full mark by 1/4 inch or less.

[acdii]

As long as oil doesn't contact the crank while in operation. If you over fill where it does then the oil will foam and that is a bad thing. Anywhere between the holes on the dipstick is fine, I always went halfway between and checked on a cold engine before starting, this way all the oil in the head is in the pan, only the oil in the galleys isn't in there and that is no more than a couple ounces.

 

If you check on a just run engine, cold or hot, the level will be lower than actual since oil still remains up on the head where it bleeds out of the cam and rockers. It isnt much but if you are at the full mark when checking on a just run engine, it can actually be higher. On some engines I have seen as much as half the distance between marks between a sitting engine and one that just ran, especially on the big V8's. If you checked it after running and it was halfway and felt, I'll add just a little more to get it to the top, you could actually overfill it and cause oil foaming.

[hybridbear]

As long as oil doesn't contact the crank while in operation. If you over fill where it does then the oil will foam and that is a bad thing. Anywhere between the holes on the dipstick is fine, I always went halfway between and checked on a cold engine before starting, this way all the oil in the head is in the pan, only the oil in the galleys isn't in there and that is no more than a couple ounces.

 

If you check on a just run engine, cold or hot, the level will be lower than actual since oil still remains up on the head where it bleeds out of the cam and rockers. It isnt much but if you are at the full mark when checking on a just run engine, it can actually be higher. On some engines I have seen as much as half the distance between marks between a sitting engine and one that just ran, especially on the big V8's. If you checked it after running and it was halfway and felt, I'll add just a little more to get it to the top, you could actually overfill it and cause oil foaming.

Your question makes me ask about correct procedure for checking oil. My dad has always done it in the morning with a cold ICE that has sat overnight. But, I believe the FFH manual calls for checking the oil level when the ICE is hot. Has anyone compared levels between cold ICE & hot ICE like acdii mentions can cause a discrepancy to see if such a discrepancy exists in the Fusion? I would do it but we won't be running the ICE in the Energi for another few weeks.

[Hybrider]

The FFH Owner's manuals imply you can check the oil when it is warm, but the standard procedure is to check the oil when the engine is cold.

 

ENGINE OIL CHECK
Check the level before starting the engine and make sure that the level is between the MIN and the MAX marks.

1. Make sure that your vehicle is on level ground.
2. Switch the engine off and wait 10 minutes for the oil to drain into the oil pan.
3. Remove the dipstick and wipe it with a clean, lint-free cloth. Replace the dipstick and remove it again to check the oil level.

 

Above, it should say "wait at least 10 minutes", which would include letting it wait overnight.

[Griswald]

 

...Note though that having a couple of extra ounces of oil in there will NOT make your engine explode...

Unless you spent $75000 for a 2015 Corvette!!!!! Reports are showing this exact thing is happening with as little as 1/2 quart overfilling.

[acdii]

Warm oil will expand just a bit, so doing it as the manual suggests would show max oil level.

 

On the Vette, pretty sure they still do this, they dont use an "oil pan" in a conventional manner, they use a dry sump configuration where oil is in a bottle off to the side. If this is still the case, oil fill is critical as it has to be exact, too much and it will lay in the pan and hit the crank. In this type of system, oil foaming is a very bad thing. It could cause cavitation in the pump which will cause oil starvation and complete engine failure.

 

I always liked having the level right in between the hash marks, this gives it room to expand and contract and never be over or under.

[Ram]

I have been so spoiled now that I'm handicapped and having the dealership do all my maintenance. I don't even bother checking the oil. They will tell me if it's over or under the mark. It is to be noted that I do carry a can or two of extra oil should an oil light come on.

[lolder]

"If" there's a low quantity oil light and "if" it comes on, it may be too late. Check your own oil. If your low oil pressure light comes on, you're likely screwed unless you shut the car down instantly.

Edited July 10, 2017 by lolder

[securityguy]

Typically, the delta between MIN and MAX is 1 quart...at least for every other car I've ever owned and those being produced today by many manufacturers. If it's at MIN, then do as was stated above and add a 1/2 qt and see if it now hits mid-way up the dip stick. Then you'll have your answer.