Oil Level Question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

L99SS · 08-31-2010, 01:32 PM

I'm posting this from my Blackberry so I hope it works out.

OK, I proceeded with the first oil change yesterday - it all went smooth as butter. 8qts of oil went in as indicated for LS3 & L99 engines.

When I checked the dipstick, the oil level appears to be at the top (highest) dimple mark within the cross-hatched area. IOW, top of the operating range. Maybe I'm being over-cautious, but is that considered too full or is it good to go?

el ess A · 08-31-2010, 02:02 PM

You are good. If it drops from there between oil changes, now THAT would be bad.

intense1 · 08-31-2010, 04:15 PM

Same thing happened to me, you can read my fiasco at http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101639

From what I understand there could be some residual oil left over, depending on how you drained it. I used ramps so most likely there was a good bit left over. The dipstick was measuring slightly over that 3rd dimple. I'm not sure how much extra would be warrant for concern, I didn't want to take a chance so I just did it again.

L99SS · 08-31-2010, 04:56 PM

Hmmm, let's hope I don't get "Nards444" upset because of my post here. Har har.

My backyard has a relatively decent slope, so I rolled the car onto a couple 2" thick paving stones. It made the vehicle quite level and offered plenty of room to get to the pan.

I may just let out the 1/2qt so the dip-stick reads like it did from the factory.

KeepItGreasey · 08-31-2010, 05:07 PM

is this your first oil change, ever? or have you just never read a dipstick before? the dipstick is usually marked at the bottom with a "range" to shoot for and to keep track of.

L99SS · 08-31-2010, 05:53 PM

Greasy:

I assure you this is not my first oil change ever; this is the first oil change for the Camaro, though. I have read many a dip-stick from lawnmowers to Mitsubishi diesels; I only asked since some people are very finnicky about their oil levels, while others let the higher reading slide. Some are of the thought that these performance-oriented cars have slightly different engine parameters than a truck or SUV.

The original reading on the Camaro's dip-stick hardly ever changed from the factory fill: mid-mark of operating range.

08-31-2010, 01:32 PM	#1
L99SS Drives: '10 Camaro IOM Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Closing fast... Posts: 568 View My Garage	Oil Level Question I'm posting this from my Blackberry so I hope it works out. OK, I proceeded with the first oil change yesterday - it all went smooth as butter. 8qts of oil went in as indicated for LS3 & L99 engines. When I checked the dipstick, the oil level appears to be at the top (highest) dimple mark within the cross-hatched area. IOW, top of the operating range. Maybe I'm being over-cautious, but is that considered too full or is it good to go? __________________

08-31-2010, 02:02 PM	#2
el ess A Older Than Dirt Drives: 2010 & 2013 Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 4,563	You are good. If it drops from there between oil changes, now THAT would be bad. __________________ 2010 2SS TE, 1 of 822/2013 Camaro ZL1 vert, 1 of 54

08-31-2010, 04:15 PM	#3
intense1 Drives: 2011 2SS m6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 159	Same thing happened to me, you can read my fiasco at http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101639 From what I understand there could be some residual oil left over, depending on how you drained it. I used ramps so most likely there was a good bit left over. The dipstick was measuring slightly over that 3rd dimple. I'm not sure how much extra would be warrant for concern, I didn't want to take a chance so I just did it again. __________________ 7/7/10 Status: Delivered

08-31-2010, 04:56 PM	#4
L99SS Drives: '10 Camaro IOM Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Closing fast... Posts: 568 View My Garage	Hmmm, let's hope I don't get "Nards444" upset because of my post here. Har har. My backyard has a relatively decent slope, so I rolled the car onto a couple 2" thick paving stones. It made the vehicle quite level and offered plenty of room to get to the pan. I may just let out the 1/2qt so the dip-stick reads like it did from the factory. __________________

08-31-2010, 05:53 PM	#6
L99SS Drives: '10 Camaro IOM Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Closing fast... Posts: 568 View My Garage	Greasy: I assure you this is not my first oil change ever; this is the first oil change for the Camaro, though. I have read many a dip-stick from lawnmowers to Mitsubishi diesels; I only asked since some people are very finnicky about their oil levels, while others let the higher reading slide. Some are of the thought that these performance-oriented cars have slightly different engine parameters than a truck or SUV. The original reading on the Camaro's dip-stick hardly ever changed from the factory fill: mid-mark of operating range. __________________

08-31-2010, 05:07 PM	#5
KeepItGreasey So It'll Go Down Easy Drives: Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 852	is this your first oil change, ever? or have you just never read a dipstick before? the dipstick is usually marked at the bottom with a "range" to shoot for and to keep track of.

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