gftgrill

ok, so I changed my oil for the first time today. when I was finished I added the first 4 quarts of oil checked the level and there was barely any on the dipstick.

so I added about 1/4 quart and checked it again, it barely raised any.

so I added another 1/4 quart (now at 4.5 quarts) and the level was only on the lower hole on the dipstick.

so I added another 1/4 quart and the level is still on the lower hole.

in total I've added approx 4.8 quarts of oil to my engine. according to my owners manual it should hold 4.4 quarts.

I've driven the car to the store and back (about 6 minutes round trip and still the oil level is at the lower mark.

any ideas as to why it's not reading full?

I'm going to let it sit over night and see where the level is in the morning.

thanks for your input.

moda_way

A true oil change with oil filter is 4.7 quarts for the TSX.

5thTo2nd

Don't worry--sounds like you're doing everything right. Not running the engine causes the oil on the dipstick to look artificially high since the oil has not had a chance to settle. That's why you should fill, then run the engine a bit, then re-check and fill accordingly.
Also, did you remember to fill the oil filter with oil as well?

snailspeed

Go ahead and add a full 5 qts. Every oil change I do, I use 5 bottles, also you have to consider the brand new oil filter which will hold some oil there, maybe the .3 qts in the filter and 4.7 qts. in the engine. Good luck!

gftgrill

after letting the car sit for a couple of hours. the oil level is now close to the upper mark, though between the two holes the oil is very thin and fairly thick at the bottom of the stick.

I'm in the process of switching from standard oil to mobil 1 full synthetic. so for this oil change I used valvoline durablend.

the filter is a mobile 1 m-110. I filled the filter approx. 1/4 - 1/3 full of oil before putting it on.

after I put the 4 quarts into the motor I checked for leaks around the filter and plug and I didn't see any.

thanks for your help guys.

jlukja

Don't check the oil level immediately after you add oil to the crankcase. You need to let it settle, make it all the way to the oil pan, so that when you do check it the reading will be accurate. I'd say wait at least 15 minutes after adding oil or shutting off the engine.

PrecyseStylez

What year is your car? My friend puts 6 qts in his TSX because there's never any oil on the dip stick after oil changes using 4.7 qts! Is this another 04 TSX issue? On an elevated road and at a stop, you may get a check oil light between 1,000 or 500 miles before your oil change is due. This shouldn't be!

jiruhnungudah

I got my oil changed (not @ the acura dealer). and I get Maintenance Needed msg. Is this normal if you didn't get oil changed from acura dealer? or was something wrong with my oil change?

Mskierki

5 quarts FTW. There is no need to fill the filter before you put it on the car, doing that will just make a mess. Put the filter on dry and fill the car through the valve cover. Let it sit for a few minutes and then turn on the car for about thirty seconds. Check with the dipstick, it should be close to the top hole.

You can reset the maintenance indicator by pressing and holding the tripometer button right after you turn the car on. Note: This will reset your tripometer so if you are using that mileage to calculate fuel economy either do it after filling up, or remember the number.

UNEVAKNO

Lets make it simple: TSX OIL CHANGE

1) Make sure you are on a level surface
2) Drain used oil / replace pan bolt
3)Change oil filter (rub oil on filter gasket/ do not fill filter w/oil )
4) Fill engine w/5 qts. of oil / let engine run for 10 mins.
5) Shut off engine /Let engine sit for 5 mins prior to checking oil
6) Add oil as needed (should be no more than .5 qt)

*Note: The k24 holds about 4 qts. and the filter holds close to 1 qt. but it does not fill the filter until you start the car. 1 qt. is the amount of oil needed to raise the oil level from the lowest hole to the highest hole on the dipstick. Never overfill your oil more than half a quart.

gftgrill

that used to work perfect in my civic. but for some reason I had to wait 3 hours for it to be 1/4" above the bottom hole.



it's an '06

jlukja

fixed

IMHO running the engine for 10 min is overkill. 1/2 to 1 minute ought to do it.

dwest1023

Lots of advice here, but my take is this. Fill the car with oil in the amount that is recommended by your service manual. Drive the car as normal. Check you oil in the morning BEFORE you start the car. The car should be on level ground.This is how you get the MOST accurate reading. If you oil was low after having it changed a t the dealer, chances are they filled it to be the level between, the full and low mark. Doing it by the book for oil and filter change will bring you level to the full mark.

DixonTSX

Whoever changed your oil probably forgot to reset the Maintenance Indicator, but take it in to a stealership, or to wherever you got your oil changed or something just to be safe.