New Car, Dipstick Wrong Length?

Question

I have a new car, I think the dipstick is the wrong length.

When the car was new, driven less than 50 miles, it showed as being overfilled. I had it drained to bring it down to the right level.

Just had an oil+filter change, saw the tech put in exactly the right amount of oil (from quart containers), and the dipstick shows it as being overfilled.

The one explanation that makes sense is that the dipstick is the wrong length, which makes it read as overfilled when it is actually at the proper level. Thinking: I can't imagine the factory would overfill the engine. I don't know of a reason why it would show as overfilled at this point, given that it was just filled with the correct amount of oil.

Does my thinking make sense? Should I get the dipstick shortened? What would you do?

Answer 1

I doubt your dipstick is the wrong length.
Are you checking the oil when the engine is cool or hot? Check your owners manual because some are supposed to be checked hot while some are supposed to be checked when cool.

The dipsticks are designed to show an accurate reading when checked as instructed, and therefore will be off if you are not checking it properly.

Answer 2

As others have said, the best thing to do is explain the problem to the dealer. I've seen cars with the incorrect dipstick; it's more common than you think.

Please DON'T shorten the dipstick. It's not worth the hassle of trying to find "just the right spot" to cut. It would be easier to replace the dipstick--especially if it's under warranty.

If the dealer can't sort your problem, I would use the car's VIN (vehicle identification number) and make sure the part number for the dipstick is correct. If it is, then someone's either:

A) Overfilling your engine with oil (just because you watched once doesn't mean it hasn't happened other times); or
B) Using the incorrect oil filter.

For either option, it's best to talk with the dealership to correct it. It's easy to mistake parts.

Answer 3

Wrong dipstick is a very unlikely scenario. Unless it's a ford or something - in this case anything is possible.
What probably happened was the tech did not drain all oil because it may take ten minutes especially if the engine is cold. If it's overfilled no more than 1/2 Low to Full distance above Full, you should be OK.

Answer 4

my engine hold 4 1/2 quarts with the filter according to the manual and when I change my own oil and filter, adding 4 1/2 quarts, then start the engine, run till the oil light goes off, shut the engine off and recheck the dip stick, the stick reads reads correctly right on the scribe line. When I go to the dealer, they always put in 5 quarts and on checking, the stick always shows 1 pint (1/2 qt) over.

Answer 5

Take it back to the dealer, explain your concern and see what they say.
It is possible to have the wrong dip stick, as I have seen it many times over the years.
The last time I saw the condition was on a new Chev Cobalt. Had a non supercharged dip stick in a supercharged engine. The supercharged engine holds more oil and the stick was wrong.

Answer 6

How much over filled ??? Up to a 1/4 of a litre is OK !!! If it like a full litre I'd worry but better slightly over filled than under filled.Remember too that oil will expand as it get warmer so cold it could be good but hot it appears over filled .

GM tech for 15 years

Answer 7

read the owners manual and see just how much oil your engine needs. if it has the right amount of oil than and it still reads as being over filed than I would go to the dealer and ask for the right dip stick or ask what the dip stick looks like for your cars engine size. if its different than you know that the wrong dip stick has bean put in your engine.

Answer 8

Take an electric etching tool and scribe a new line where the oil level comes to after an oil change. If you want to get accurate, have the technician put in all but one quart, and establish a line there as well so you will know later where the one quart low mark will be. I wouldn't shorten the stick, just rescribe it.

Answer 9

well most cars take around 4 quarts of oil. umm i kinda find it hard to believe that the dipstick is too long. ur manual should tell u how much oil it takes. if the dipstick is too long take it to ur dealership or just buy a new one. they arent too expensive.

Answer 10

any decent seller will let you take the car to the mechanic of your choice to have him/her look at it. Of course they can't make sure that the car is perfect, but they can give you a really good idea of whether or not it will be a lemon. also, run a carfax history on it and make sure it's never been in a serious wreck (fender benders with minor repairs are no big deal).