Quick Oil Question

**JwMonE99** · 02-28-2008, 06:38 PM

Today after school, when I got in the car, I cranked it and the low oil light came on and i was low on gas. So i figured I will take it to the gas station and take care of it. Luckily I had a box of 5 quarts of penzoil platnium 5W-30 with me as well. Put in the gas and checked the oil, and it was at the "Add some" level, in other words it was pretty low.
I only put in 4 quarts, my question is should I of put in all 5 or is the limit 4? Kinda of a dumb question but I wasnt sure.

**JwMonE99** · 02-28-2008, 06:38 PM

BTW the car is a 96 LT1 M6

**Y2KPewterSS** · 02-28-2008, 06:47 PM

You had to add 4 quarts?

**JwMonE99** · 02-28-2008, 07:18 PM

Yea I know thats not good at all.
Should I put in the 5th quart or will it be too much?.

**Y2KPewterSS** · 02-28-2008, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by JwMonE99

Yea I know thats not good at all.
Should I put in the 5th quart or will it be too much?.

I would be more concerned with why it was that low in the first place. Sounds like you have a serious leak or other serious problem. You can overfill it, so I don't know if putting a 5th quart in would be a good idea or not. If you have to drive it, I would be checking the oil level daily though until you fix the real problem.

**JwMonE99** · 02-28-2008, 07:27 PM

Yea thats what I was thinking, I know there is somthing wrong with the fuel system, it takes a few cranks for it to get it, and if let it idle for a while after cranking I leak some kind of fluid from the exhuast, cant tell what it is, either gas or water.
BTW I have true duels with no cats and two small mufflers, not sure of brand.
I just havent been able to afford going to get it looked at. I dont start working again till next week

**0rion** · 02-28-2008, 08:44 PM

that's why there's a little cross hatch area on the stick, fill it until it's within the cross hatch area.

**THEBRAD** · 02-28-2008, 09:09 PM

the add mark usually means only 1 quart. if it was showing on the stick at all id say it was max 2 quarts low

**Joe00SS** · 02-29-2008, 03:05 AM

^^^Yeah that's what I was thinking, it would almost have to show nothing on the stick to need 4 qts....wow

**blue02Z** · 02-29-2008, 04:09 AM

X3 on what was said above. the add mark is set at one quart low. sounds like you way overfilled it

**TransAm11973** · 02-29-2008, 12:24 PM

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

**JwMonE99** · 02-29-2008, 01:58 PM

Dont forget I did have a low oil light come on,
I thought it meant it was like empty empty

**Kup98ss** · 02-29-2008, 04:24 PM

I'd say the best advice is to change your oil Asap.
Just drain all of the oil out of it and start over. (5.5qts)
Then watch it from there.

Then find the true problem. I'm guessing you have not had this car long. That is always scary because you know nothing about it. Good luck.

**lonewolf37** · 02-29-2008, 05:56 PM

When you change your oil you might want to send a sample to Blackstone Labs. They can advise you if you have a really big oil problem.

**Kup98ss** · 02-29-2008, 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by lonewolf37

When you change your oil you might want to send a sample to Blackstone Labs. They can advise you if you have a really big oil problem.

I have yet to do this myself, but just go to a Car parts place and ask for an oil testing kit.($10-20) Then mail it off. Not as hard as you would think.

**2-bowties&abird** · 03-01-2008, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by SpeedAddict38

just check your oil again and see exactly how much you have, it will probally be overfull. Then drain a little at a time and ck it till its at full level..............if its been a while since you have checked the oil it might be just normal oil consumption.

Dont feel bad about thinking the engine low oil light meant your car was about out of oil. We all have to learn sometime. When I was 16 the first time I put in oil guess where I put the oil in at LOL.............. yep the dip stick tube

haha thats good, i saw this one kid trying to check his oil with the motor running.

**JwMonE99** · 03-01-2008, 06:40 AM

lol naw im not that bad, I have changed oil before, I just wasnt sure how much you should keep in the LT1s

**lonewolf37** · 03-01-2008, 05:19 PM

Blackstone will send you sample bottles free!

**nuttyprofessor** · 03-01-2008, 06:04 PM

Check the oil level now with the car off, or at least not running for a little while. Since you mos tlikely overfilled it, may be time for a premature oil change.