Factory Oil Fill Level

[Young_makaveli]

The manual says to check the oil level when the engine is a operating temperature (hot)

Turn off the engine and wait 5 mins for the oil to drain back to the pan and then check the oil level.

Checking the oil level when the engine is cold might give a false reading.

What I do is check my oil every time I fill up for gas. Fill up first and then check. Also checking at a gas station has the benefit of a leveled floor .

[zoth]

Originally Posted by yayforaddison

A great tip. Get a fine graded sandpaper, and sand about 1cm above the full dot all the way down to the bottom. Makes the oil stick in the right places when you check it

Thanks for this now I can easily read my oil level.

[Poodles]

Originally Posted by Howardwei

is the reading supposed to be between the dot?

No, the top dot is the full mark and it should be there.

Originally Posted by Jyn

Yeah. Anywhere between Low and High is what you want.

No, as the difference between low and full on the dipstick is 1.1qts. I don't know about you, but I don't run a quart low in my car...

[billyk]

Wonderful thread. Thanks!

I checked the oil today after my FRS sat cold for more than 24 hours. As with the OP, my oil level is higher than the top mark, but that seems to be par for the course for the factory fill.

I figure that I will have the oil changed about 4K. Plenty of debate on that topic on this forum. I don't think it's bad either way - simply a choice. I like the idea of changing a little early.

[Flasher]

Still don't get it - should the oil be warm or cold for measurement?

[billyk]

Originally Posted by Flasher

Still don't get it - should the oil be warm or cold for measurement?

The owner's manual states that you are supposed to run the engine until warm, and then let it sit on a level surface for 5 minutes prior to checking the oil level.

I haven't had the time to go back and check, but I figure that a stone cold engine (like mine yesterday) has more oil in the pan than one that was just running 5 minutes ago. This could account for the higher reading I got. Other things I've learned here from other members that might be helpful:

- If your car is not 100% level it could have a significant affect on boxer engine oil levels.
- The "Subaru dipsticks" are known to be inaccurate according to a number of members here, and hard to read given the recommended weight of the oil.
- Read both sides of the stick - go with the lowest reading.
- Do not be misled by the oil that runs up either side of the stick, look for the "U" shape in the top mark of the oil.
- Some research on this subject on this forum and others indicate that the factory fill is typically higher than the top mark. Most owners just let it go.
- There are countless posts and related opinions on when to change the oil in an FR-S and the type of oil and filter to be used. It makes for great informational (and sometimes humorous) reading. One thing that seems to be consistent: don't go over the recommended 7,500 miles for your first oil change. Doing it early seems to be a matter of preference.

Hope this helps!

[FrostedFlakes]

Gonna need to revive this thread.

OK. I am having issues reading my oil level after a fill. At first I thought i overfilled so i drained some, then checked. It then looked bone dry. So I topped off a bottle and still can't read the damn level properly.

I sanded below the low and max notch and it isn't really helping much either.

Any tips? I have not seen the oil pressure light go on, so I know for a fact that the oil level is not low to the point of starvation. But I am more concerned with overfilling.

Thanks

[wheelhaus]

Make sure it's a thorough sanding (and cleaning). Sand from 1cm above the full mark, all the way down to the tip, rough up the entire area thoroughly. Don't sand a small spot here and there, sand the whole area (i'd say 120 or higher grit is fine). Be sure to clean off the dust!

Also, check the front and back of the dipstick. One side will read more clearly. Oil will smear up the edges of the dipstick, so you're looking for the "U" shape of oil sagging where the center of the dipstick is clearly dry, and then clearly wet below.

If only the edges of the dipstick are wet, then you might be dangerously low (not even registering on the stick). If you still can't figure it out, swing by a local auto parts store and see if someone can give you a hand for a quick minute (or post a pic of both sides for us).

[mreddie]

I checked my level when the car was 2 days old (cold), and the fill mark was right at the top dot. I'm at 2,500 miles and have burned about 1/2 a quart, which is to be expected with break in (according to manual).

Also, the main thing I noticed is to check both sides as has been stated. One side will have a streak going all over the place while the opposite side will have the accurate reading.

[slizoth]

[Yoshoobaroo]

That's normal, you're supposed to check it warm, right after shutdown. Since the banks don't slope, it takes a while for every last bit of oil to travel back to the pan, so your level will be different 5, 10, 30 minutes after shutoff. This is why Subaru marked the dipstick for a warm engine that was freshly shut off.

-Josh


Edit: oh wow some serious thread necromancy going on here. Whoops.

[radroach]

@Yoshoobaroo still relevant information. I'm glad it came up because I recently did an oil change and was afraid I had overfilled, until I learned to read the lower side of the dipstick.

[jarnojvv]

Late to the party, but one new 86 and two services later... my car has been overfilled every single time by the dealer...weird!