How many quarts of oil

T67@20ART · Jun 9, 2009, 01:39 PM

Damn my dealer is charging $75 for an oil change, I'm going to change it myself but just wondering how many quarts am I suppose to get, also would you guys suggest taking it to the dealer just in case other things may need to be changed or just change it myself.

Jeremycafe · Jun 9, 2009, 01:42 PM

I just did mine today with 5.

Metall1ca · Jun 9, 2009, 01:55 PM

i'm in the same boat, i have never done my own oil change but want to learn with this one. I thought i saw a how to here specific to the RA but it didn't have pictures. It would be awesome if someone could do that, much appreciated. I just went out to Costco and got 6 quarts of Mobil 1 for 35, didn't think that was a bad deal?

JONralli09 · Jun 9, 2009, 02:19 PM

just look in your owners manual..wow come on..

T67@20ART · Jun 9, 2009, 02:48 PM

Well I was already on the boards and just thought that it might be quick and easy to ask here, I then quickly browsed through the manual and I didn't see anything specifying how many quarts, maybe I should look better, and also I wanted peoples opinion on weather or not to take it to the dealer.

clifhanger87 · Jun 9, 2009, 06:36 PM

i searched my manual thoroughly, and couldn't find oil capacity either. then i did a quick google search, and came up with 5.9 quarts. so roughly 6 is probably fine. i would start with 5, then check and add accordingly. i'm going to do my oil tomorrow, so maybe i'll post pics and do a how-to.

Metall1ca · Jun 9, 2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JONralli09

just look in your owners manual..wow come on..

last time i checked dickhead it didnt give you a step by step nor quantity of oil in the manual. I was admitting i didn't know and was just trying to see if someone could be helpful since it would be my first time and i didnt want to screw up my car. I'm looking to learn here; thought this is what this placed is for. Anyway Cliffhanger, it would be greatly, greatly appreciated if you could do that. I know taking pictures as your changing your oil is not exactly what you want to be doing for noobs like myself lol.

Jeremycafe · Jun 10, 2009, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metall1ca

last time i checked dickhead it didnt give you a step by step nor quantity of oil in the manual. I was admitting i didn't know and was just trying to see if someone could be helpful since it would be my first time and i didnt want to screw up my car. I'm looking to learn here; thought this is what this placed is for. Anyway Cliffhanger, it would be greatly, greatly appreciated if you could do that. I know taking pictures as your changing your oil is not exactly what you want to be doing for noobs like myself lol.

Ya the manual doesn't have crap for how-to on changing oil. Was my first time as well and I had no idea what to look for, until the oil started pouring out

Piper747 · Jun 10, 2009, 06:27 AM

It is in the manual at the back under specifications i think. Including the filter it holds 5.1 liters. Not sure how many quarts it would be though.. lol The filter is accessed by removing 8 10mm bolts from the skid plate to remove a small section. Not the whole thing. Then filter is staring you right in the face once you got that off. I only used 5 since a small amount stayed in the car.

JONralli09 · Jun 10, 2009, 07:37 AM

yes the specs of how much oil is in the back of the manual, withing the last 20 pages or so it states how much oil is needed and how much oil the oil filter takes, grand total of 5.5 qrts its a little tricky for you noobs, it might confuse you. oh and usually when you are doing the oil change yourself, you dont take out ALL the oil during an oil change even if you wait for the oil to stop dripping so my advise would be put 5 qrts then check the oil dipstick. (ofcourse with the car down from the jack and on a level surface) if not sooner or later you going to have over 6 qrts and counting in your motor!

StateOfTheArt · Jun 10, 2009, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JONralli09

yes the specs of how much oil is in the back of the manual, withing the last 20 pages or so it states how much oil is needed and how much oil the oil filter takes, grand total of 5.5 qrts its a little tricky for you noobs, it might confuse you. oh and usually when you are doing the oil change yourself, you dont take out ALL the oil during an oil change even if you wait for the oil to stop dripping so my advise would be put 5 qrts then check the oil dipstick. (ofcourse with the car down from the jack and on a level surface) if not sooner or later you going to have over 6 qrts and counting in your motor!

I think gravity finally decides what will be left in your after the drain plug and oil filter are removed. The length of time waiting until as much oil is drained depends on the time between the changes and what viscocity is used. Like the above poster he estimates what is still left after the oil change and fills accordingly largely by his hunch or experience.

Monitoring oil pressure is probably the most accurate way to assume the amount of oil is needed between oil changes. I think it would be safe to assume that a very large amount is drained and the manufacturer is accounting for what may or may not be left.

Check your owner's manual or with dealership service department for the best advice not your trusted internet forums.

07outty · Jun 10, 2009, 08:30 AM

do not believe the 5.9 quarts in the manual for an oil change.

you will not get 5.9 quarts out of the RA if you drain the oil using "normal" method.

i have changed twice and have put just under 5 quarts in to get to the top of the full level on the dip-stick.

i think quite a bit of oil may be held in the cooler and cooler lines and will not drain out of the pan.

clifhanger87 · Jun 11, 2009, 09:51 AM

i made a tutorial on changing the oil. find it here:
How to: change your own oil (n00b edition)

Metall1ca · Jun 11, 2009, 04:27 PM

you sir, are a good man. People like you keep this site useful for noobs like myself trying to learn more about our vehicles. Maintenance included.

CGroovy2k2 · Jun 12, 2009, 05:18 AM

I know on the AMSoil website you can look up your vehicle and it will tell you the types of oil and the capacities of oil, tranny fluid, etc.