Frustrated-Please Advise-2009 Silverado Oil Capacity Discrepancy

**GaryB-2009** · 05-10-2009, 01:00 AM

Same old, same old . . . . this has happened to me more often than not on my last 8 "new vehicle" purchases . . . . . I just purchased a new 2009 Silverado Crew Cab - 5.3 Flex Fuel, Active Management V8 . . . . I drive the vehicle home from the dealership, let it stand in my level garage all night and take a dip stick reading in the morning . . . . . sure enough, it's becoming predictable . . . . the dip stick reading is almost a full inch above the full mark . . . . and, at the same time, the owners manual warns "not to over fill with oil because it could cause harm to the engine" . . . . . I get under the vehicle and drain out one-half quart . . . . . the dip stick now reads one-fourth inch above the full mark . . . . . I drain another one-fourth quart and now the dip stick reads exactly on the full mark . . . . . . did the dealer over fill or is 6 quarts (oil capacity for my engine as shown in the owners manual) too much? After 2800 miles, I change the oil myself (including filter) and fill with 5.25 quarts instead of the owners manual 6 quart specification . . . . . I let the truck stand all night and in the morning the dip stick reads exactly on the full mark. So what do I do? . . . . From this point on, do I over fill with the owners manual specified 6 quarts or do I use my own determined 5.25 quarts (with filter) that results in the exact "full" reading on the dip stick . . . . . No one seems to be able to give me a definitive answer . . . . dealers and customer service technicians have, at times, given me contradicting answers . . . . some say put in the owners manual specified amount regardless of dip stick reading . . . . . others say put in less than the amount specified and slowly add additional until the "full" reading on the dipstick is achieved (5.25 quarts with factory filter) . . . . . I have had this same confusion on my new vehicle purchases over the last 12 years . . . 3 new suburbans, 3 Toyota Tacomas and a Honda Fit . . . . why do these inaccuracies exist with something so simple and critical as an oil change???

**1st Synthetics** · 05-10-2009, 01:14 AM

It should be 6 quarts. I would take it into the dealer and see why this is happening. This way you let them make the call for warranty reasons.

**unplugged** · 05-10-2009, 01:41 AM

I'm sorry, but 3/4 of a quart won't make a difference. Keep the oil at or near the full mark. Use a quality oil and stop worrying. It sounds like you service your vehicle regularly so if the dip stick does ever indicate low oil, top it off. Let your service center know about the discrepancy and have them fill it to the indicator on the dip stick.

Overfilling to the point that the crankshaft is bathed in oil will cause trouble. I wouldn't go a quart over, but half a quart wouldn't bother me.

Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
.................................................. .....................George Carlin

**vncj96** · 05-10-2009, 01:41 AM

Yeah whatever comes from the factory is the way it should be, and if the book says 6 then make it 6

**heavy chevy** · 05-10-2009, 02:47 AM

Just a quick question this may b a dumb question but are you checking your oil when the truck engine is warm. From what you said you go directly out in the morning and check the dipstick and if the engine is cold the first time it is going to show over full. After you drain the oil out the next morning it will be at the same level that you left it if the truck is cold and the engine warm. I am sorry but my ex wife used to come tell me that she had to much oil in her car 3 or 4 days after I had changed it. But what she would fail to tell me is that the engine wasnt warm. If the enging isnt warm the oil is just sitting there not being used. If u crank the vehicle the engine warms the oil up and then it and spreads it throu the vehicle. Thus giving a true reading. I just checked my oil with the truck cold and like your problem it was over full warmed the engine up and it was rite on the full mark. I am not trying to make you sound stupid nor am I impling that so dont take offence I am just simply stating a mistake that many people make.

**bubba33** · 05-10-2009, 01:14 PM

Are you serious about warming the motor and then checking the oil. When the motor is running the oil goes to the top end and takes awhile for it to drain in to the pan.So you would get your most accurate reading when its cold and all the oil is in the pan.

**heavy chevy** · 05-10-2009, 01:35 PM

yes but cold oil is thicker than warm oil. That would make the oil reading higher than the warm reading. You can warm it up then give it a few minutes to drain. Ask any oil change place. After they add oil they will crank the engine then check it. This makes sure your oil isnt thick.

**Mean_Green_95** · 05-10-2009, 03:13 PM

After you drop your old oil and old filter and have added the new oil and filter, you have to start it. This will get the oil in the filter, at least half a quart will go in the filter. If the truck is cold, let it warm up. Wait about a minute to check you oil level. This will be the most accurate way to check. I work at two oil change places, and at the risk of sounding big headed, I know what I am talking about. If your manual says 6 quarts, I would start with 5.5 quarts. I never trust the manual to full extent because each motor is different, even if they are mass produced.