Oil Change Question

Hello everyone,


I just changed the oil in my sister's 08 Accord.While the
manual said to fill 4.4 quarts of oil I ended up putting in 4.8 quarts
as the 4.4 would have barely been over the low level mark on the
dipstick. The 4.8 quarts is showing as 3/4 full from the high level
mark on the dipstick. I took the car for a ride around a few blocks
and was shocked to see the level had dropped even after letting it sit
for a few minutes. I came back after an hr and noticed the level was
back at the 3/4 mark, but I could barely see it on the dipstick. I'm
wondering if it is because the oil is 5-20 that it doesn't sit on the
dipstick long enough to read it? Also should I re-drain the oil and
only put in what is recommended in the manual?


Thanks in advance,
Nick

 

Leave it, you will not have any problems.

 

I agree, leave it alone. In the future, I'd follow the manual even
tho a little more oil shouldn't hurt anything.

 

In the "Specifications" section of the owner's manual (page
384 for the Sedan), note the stated spec for an oil change
is 4.4 quarts. But this spec is "excluding the oil remaining
in the engine." It says the total oil capacity is 5.2
quarts. I imagine if one lets the oil drip into the pan for
awhile during the change, one will exceed the 4.4 quart
"spec." Or if you did the oil change with the engine still
kinda hot (which admittedly is pretty much what the manual
specifies), more oil (especially as you suggest with lower
viscosity oil) might come out.

Overfilled is not good for lubrication. IIRC foaming of the
oil occurs when way too much is present, and so lubrication
is not optimal. Indeed, there is a caution in the manual
about how overfilling the engine (above the high mark on the
dipstick) could damage it. I think the oil change section's
mention that the amount for an oil change is 4.4 U.S. quarts
is so one errs on the low side. Indeed, notice the final
step says to check the dipstick and keep adding oil until
[implied] its between the two marks on the dipstick.

I would continue monitoring the oil level for a few more
days. But I suspect you're fine.

Aside: Did you follow the car's "Maintenance Minder"
direction when you decided the car needed an oil change?

I suspect the oil went into the engine. It would have
dropped even if you had not let it sit but instead checked
right after driving.

 

I checked the level today and it is still 3/4 to the full mark on the
dip stick. This is the first time I had changed the oil in the newer
Honda engines (other cars are 99 and 95 Accord and 05 Integra) and
using 5-20W oil. It may be me but the oil is harder to read as the oil
is thinner and lighter.

Also I changed the oil about 3 days after the 15% mark came up.

Nick