8.5 qts oil => only halfway up the dipstick

[Multibeemer]

Just changed the oil on my 03 4.4, and I put in exactly 8.5 quarts, but it only registers halfway up the dipstick. Is this normal? Thanks.

[motordavid]

Did you start it, let idle for a min or two, turn off...and then let it drain for several mins?

[dkl]

Is your driveway/garage leveled? Even very little grading will give a very different reading.

[Multibeemer]

I did the oil change in the garage, which is reasonably level. I drained it last night and let it drain all night (was too tired to finish the job last night), put the drain plug back this morning, and put 8 quarts in it. I then started it, and let it fully warm up. I then turned it off, waited a good half hour, and checked the level. At this point, it barely registered on the dip stick, so I put in exactly an additional half quart, started it again, let it idle several minutes, turned it off, waited a half hour, and checked it again, which is when I say that it is still only half way up the dip stick. I'm reluctant to add more oil to it.

I also checked the level before I did the oil change, and was very pleased to see it at the top of the dip stick, indicating the car isn't consuming any measurable amount of oil at 102K miles.

[motordavid]

Very odd...wish I had an answer. I have seen/had short fill from a dealer, and I have seen a too quick of a check, when the oil didn't drain down and cover the stick, but I am stumped. Maybe some of the mavens will have a good answer. If it was my car, I would go drive it for awhile, come home, let it drain, and re-check...my bet is it will be close to full. Or, yours may take the mystical '9 qts'...
GL, mD

[Multibeemer]

Thanks; I've changed the oil twice before on this vehicle, but I'm drawing a blank as to whether I saw this the last two times. I'll do what you suggest and drive it a little while, and check the level periodically.

[dkl]

I thought my garage was "reasonably" leveled as well, until I start parking my car the other way (backing in). I've noticed that when I pulled in head first, I would measured the oil as "full" during my oil change. But if I back into my garage, the same that was previously measured as "full" is now only 1/2 full on the dipstick reading. You can try the same trick...try parking your car the other way and do a remeasure to see if there's any differences.

[kmagnuss]

Mine takes 9 qts every time to fill up... this is on a level surface. Boggles my mind every time knowing that it's supposed to be 8.

[Multibeemer]

dkl,

Good suggestion - I'll give that a try.

kmagnuss,

The manual says the oil capacity on the 4.4 is 8.5 quarts.

[kmagnuss]

hmmm... must have read it wrong then. I've been thinking it's 8 this whole time, scratching my head when 9 does the trick.