Oil Change & checking the Dip Stick

[jason_999]

Hello everyone,
I recently just changed the oil on my wife's 2009 SLT Yukon (5.3L V8).
based on the manual, it sounds like it will take approx 5.7L of oil.
I added approx 5.5L of synthetic (dont know if that makes any difference) and a new K&N Oil Filter.
I let her sit level in the garage for about hour, and then checked the dip stick. Engine was cold or at least cooler.
The Oil level seemed to be right around the middle of the safe area.
The next day we took for a drive and later on i check the dip stick again, the dip stick reading was just a touch about the safe level, i am talking 2 mileometers.

anyway just wondering when is the best time to check the oil level, when the engine is cold or hot, or does it really make any difference?
i always have a hard time because its seems once you pull the dipstick, it drags some oil up the tube and makes it hard to get an accurate reading.

with my reading being just a touch over the safe area do i really need to let some oil out. how exact is the safe area, i dont want to jack the car up and makes a mess taking out 200ml's, but on the other hand i dont want to blow any seals.

anyway advice?
Thanks in advance.

jason

 

[07Burb]

When refilling my oil I always restart the vehicle and let it run for a minute or two then check it again after shutting it off. I've found that is when I get the most accurate reading because the oil gets a chance to get throughout the entire motor. Did you restart your motor before checking the oil level?

Also, having the oil level just a touch over the safe area is fine. No need to "let oil out". Just as long as it's not real far. It is bad for it to be over full but from what you state it seems like you're good to go

 

[jason_999]

When refilling my oil I always restart the vehicle and let it run for a minute or two then check it again after shutting it off. I've found that is when I get the most accurate reading because the oil gets a chance to get throughout the entire motor. Did you restart your motor before checking the oil level?

Also, having the oil level just a touch over the safe area is fine. No need to "let oil out". Just as long as it's not real far. It is bad for it to be over full but from what you state it seems like you're good to go

Thanks man!
I did start the engine for about a minute.
I always under-fill about 500ml less than what i think i need, and then top it off when i check the level after an hour of sitting on level ground.
But since this was my first time with this car i was not sure what i should be adding realistically.
good thing i did not add the 5.7L the manual stated, i think that would have been to much.
Anyway i kind of figure that even if i was over by 2mm's i would probably be fine, just need to put my mind at ease.
Next time i will add 5.2L to start, and top off if necessary.

Thanks again!

 

[04ctd]

the easiest way to let some oil out, is to drop the filter & drain it.


don't ask me why i know this.... please

 

[07Burb]

Or just loosen the drain plug a little bit....

Might be less messy

 

[doubletapdrew]

It's been a while since I had my 5.3L but I thought it was 6L with a filter change (5.7L for the pan, .3L for the filter). It shouldn't matter if it's hot or cold but it'll usually read a little higher when it's been off for a while since the oil will have more time to drip back down into the pan.

 

[07Burb]

I always end up putting in about 5 1/2 quarts....

 

[sumo]

5.5? our 5.3 are 6q

 

[07Burb]

Sometimes it's a lil bit more than 5.5 but I go until the dipstick says that it's full. I'm sure there have been times I've put in a full 6 qts