Oil Capacity Dilemma Solved?

MikeInCtown · April 30, 2009

OK, I remember a few weeks back there was a thread about the listed capacity of 6 quarts and how many seemed to be getting oil levels that were above the normal range on the dipstick. I think I may have solved the mystery.

I was going through a GM service manual this morning and looked up their listed capacities. The manual listed 6 quarts WITH a filter change, but only 5 quarts WITHOUT a filter change. This means they assume a 1 quart filter when in reality the filters specified are only about a half quart or less. This would mean that were are all actually overfilling by 1/2 quart at every oil change.

crepitus · April 30, 2009

that could be it. i would use the long PF59 filters on my 06. Now on my 08 I use the shorties. never thought of that.

VMax2007 · April 30, 2009

OK, I remember a few weeks back there was a thread about the listed capacity of 6 quarts and how many seemed to be getting oil levels that were above the normal range on the dipstick. I think I may have solved the mystery.

I was going through a GM service manual this morning and looked up their listed capacities. The manual listed 6 quarts WITH a filter change, but only 5 quarts WITHOUT a filter change. This means they assume a 1 quart filter when in reality the filters specified are only about a half quart or less. This would mean that were are all actually overfilling by 1/2 quart at every oil change.

No, because when you change the filter, you remove more oil than just what's in the filter. That is why it begins leaking as soon as you loosen the filter. I bet a good 1/2-3/4 qt drains from my filter housing before I even remove my filter.

MikeInCtown · April 30, 2009

OK, I remember a few weeks back there was a thread about the listed capacity of 6 quarts and how many seemed to be getting oil levels that were above the normal range on the dipstick. I think I may have solved the mystery.

I was going through a GM service manual this morning and looked up their listed capacities. The manual listed 6 quarts WITH a filter change, but only 5 quarts WITHOUT a filter change. This means they assume a 1 quart filter when in reality the filters specified are only about a half quart or less. This would mean that were are all actually overfilling by 1/2 quart at every oil change.

No, because when you change the filter, you remove more oil than just what's in the filter. That is why it begins leaking as soon as you loosen the filter. I bet a good 1/2-3/4 qt drains from my filter housing before I even remove my filter.

I've never gotten more than maybe 1/10th a quart running down my arm before I dump the filter over into the pan. perhaps that just has something to do with when you change the filter vs how long ago the engine was running. 1/2 to 3/4 a quart coming out of the filter housing area BEFORE you drop the filter is a TON of oil.

Draenor · April 30, 2009

Who the FWonk(Did I do that right?) changes their oil and not the filter?

Anyhow....I always put in 5qts., check the level, and top off as necessary.

Draenor · April 30, 2009

If I overfill, I just add a spacer to the dipstick...problem solved...

tobias · April 30, 2009

If I overfill, I just add a spacer to the dipstick...problem solved...

txab · April 30, 2009

6 qts puts it right at the full mark on the '04 and '08 that I drive. No problem here.

Bowtie2Sierra · April 30, 2009

Who the FWonk(Did I do that right?) changes their oil and not the filter?

Anyhow....I always put in 5qts., check the level, and top off as necessary.

Same here...not a big deal.

VMax2007 · April 30, 2009

6 qts puts it right at the full mark on the '04 and '08 that I drive. No problem here.

Yep, same here. Both on my 2000 and my 2007.

VMax2007 · April 30, 2009

I've never gotten more than maybe 1/10th a quart running down my arm before I dump the filter over into the pan. perhaps that just has something to do with when you change the filter vs how long ago the engine was running. 1/2 to 3/4 a quart coming out of the filter housing area BEFORE you drop the filter is a TON of oil.

The angle of the truck may make a difference too. I use ramps. I loosen the filter a few turns and let it drain for a few minutes before removing the filter completely. Between the runout and what's in the filter, it amounts to about a quart.

Also, I always warm up the oil before draining, so the engine was run within 10 minutes of draining every time.

Matt_ · April 30, 2009

Was that really a dilemma??

Put in 6qts like the manual says, nuff said /thread

yv1650c · April 30, 2009

6qt! no problem

txab · April 30, 2009

Was that really a dilemma??

Put in 6qts like the manual says, nuff said /thread

+1.

Some people have fretted about this way too much.

bubba33 · April 30, 2009

I've never gotten more than maybe 1/10th a quart running down my arm before I dump the filter over into the pan. perhaps that just has something to do with when you change the filter vs how long ago the engine was running. 1/2 to 3/4 a quart coming out of the filter housing area BEFORE you drop the filter is a TON of oil.

The angle of the truck may make a difference too. I use ramps. I loosen the filter a few turns and let it drain for a few minutes before removing the filter completely. Between the runout and what's in the filter, it amounts to about a quart.

Also, I always warm up the oil before draining, so the engine was run within 10 minutes of draining every time.

Ya that makes a difference if the motor is hot. I wait about 30 min after I shut it off. It doesn't leak much then when taking the filter lose.