Factory Oil Slightly Low?

[TheGrabberBlueGT2024]

I’m going to have to go and find that in the manual. My speeds to work are around 80-85. I don’t know if that is considered high engine speed. I have been varying how I drive the car going through the gears etc. Not just steady state driving to assist with breaking it in.

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[DarkMatterGrey]

Yes I drive 30 miles one way for work. And beside other short trips around town that’s all I have done with the cars. I have heard of cars being low from the factory so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the case. Does checking it after running do anything different?? In terms of the level.

Not here to guess, it’s better to know since you’re either perfectly within spec (9.5 qt factory fill) or are in a bad spot (10 qt factory fill and burned half a quart in under 500 miles). This is becoming like Schrodingers cat. I’m advocating that you check it hot when you get home at night and cold before you leave the next morning and record the results.

I’ve always checked mine cold. It came full top and seemed to burn about a qt in the first 3k miles linearly (i.e. not mostly in the 500 miles).

Also, it would help to know if you see any smoke out the tail pipe. That could be telling too. You want to know if this is a serious issue before telling Ford it is resulting in them having to bore scope the cylinders, recommend an engine replacement, etc.

Again, you have one data point. Half quart low at 400 miles. That is meaningless information. Make it meaningfull with a time series analysis.

 

[TheGrabberBlueGT2024]

Not here to guess, it’s better to know since you’re either perfectly within spec (9.5 qt factory fill) or are in a bad spot (10 qt factory fill and burned half a quart in under 500 miles). This is becoming like Schrodingers cat. I’m advocating that you check it hot when you get home at night and cold before you leave the next morning and record the results.

I’ve always checked mine cold. It came full top and seemed to burn about a qt in the first 3k miles linearly (i.e. not mostly in the 500 miles).

Also, it would help to know if you see any smoke out the tail pipe. That could be telling too. You want to know if this is a serious issue before telling Ford it is resulting in them having to bore scope the cylinders, recommend an engine replacement, etc.

Again, you have one data point. Half quart low at 400 miles. That is meaningless information. Make it meaningfull with a time series analysis.

Going back over our comments. What does the difference in checking hot and cold do?

 

[DarkMatterGrey]

Going back over our comments. What does the difference in checking hot and cold do?

From the internet (couldn’t have said it better myself):

• Hot oil checks reflect real-time operating conditions but may be less accurate due to oil expansion.
• Cold oil checks provide more consistent and safer readings but may not reflect the oil’s behavior during operation.
• The best method depends on the vehicle type, engine design, and driving conditions.
• Manufacturer guidelines should be followed to ensure the most accurate oil level readings.

Therefore do both.

 

[TheGrabberBlueGT2024]

From the internet (couldn’t have said it better myself):

• Hot oil checks reflect real-time operating conditions but may be less accurate due to oil expansion.
• Cold oil checks provide more consistent and safer readings but may not reflect the oil’s behavior during operation.
• The best method depends on the vehicle type, engine design, and driving conditions.
• Manufacturer guidelines should be followed to ensure the most accurate oil level readings.

Therefore do both.

Well I will get on it. I’ll have a hot check on Friday morning after I get the car. And I’ll repeat with a cold check after letting it sit all day on Friday night. I have to say this is putting a knot in my stomach if it’s 10 factory fill and half a quart low. Especially after dropping $2500 on ppf and ceramic and exhaust is on the way and an oil catch can.

 

[Farmer Fran]

If the oil level is between the dots, you’re not low.

This

 

[TheGrabberBlueGT2024]

This

The discussion is regarding if it was at the top when I bought it and it regressed to where it currently is then that would be bad. If it was like it is from factory then all would be well my motor has 9.5 quarts which seems to be normal but because I didn’t check I have no idea if it was at the top or where it currently sits.

 

[Farmer Fran]

The discussion is regarding if it was at the top when I bought it and it regressed to where it currently is then that would be bad. If it was like it is from factory then all would be well my motor has 9.5 quarts which seems to be normal but because I didn’t check I have no idea if it was at the top or where it currently sits.

Reading > Farmer Fran

I would not sweat it. Keep an eye on it. I changed mine at 500 or 1000 cannot remember and it is not consuming any oil at 5k miles now.

FYI: My owners manual says 10qts

 

[TheGrabberBlueGT2024]

Reading > Farmer Fran

I would not sweat it. Keep an eye on it. I changed mine at 500 or 1000 cannot remember and it is not consuming any oil at 5k miles now.

FYI: My owners manual says 10qts

Sweating has already happened lol. I am a panicking mess wondering why I didn’t check it at the dealer. It could have answered all of these questions.

 

[Farmer Fran]

Sweating has already happened lol. I am a panicking mess wondering why I didn’t check it at the dealer. It could have answered all of these questions.

Nah, go easy... if it was an inch lower than that panic! but it's fine. If you are near 500 miles just do a change and watch it

 

[TheGrabberBlueGT2024]

Nah, go easy... if it was an inch lower than that panic! but it's fine. If you are near 500 miles just do a change and watch it

I have yet to purchase race ramps etc. im going to check it daily once its back in my possession since I now have a benchmark on where it currently sits.

 

[GrabberB]

TheGrabberBlue - You've taken the worst case scenario road without any evidence pointing to an issue.

1. You can safely add small amounts of oil at a time until you get the level up to the top dot (not maximum). There is absolutely no harm in doing so. If you choose to do this do so on a warm engine. Add a little wait 15 minutes and recheck and so on until you hit the desired level. A warm engine will help the newly added oil drain down to the oil pan faster.
2. Ford Owners manuals are written for non car enthusiast. Ford says do not add oil if your oil level falls between the lower and upper limit to avoid overfilling by gung-ho types.
3. Addressing the 9.5 vs. 10qt. change in specs. To me this means you'd be safe down to 8.5 qts. with the new 9.5 spec. And down to 9 qts. with the old spec. Your still safe regardless of either.
4. I get the fact your concerned about excessive oil consumption within less than 400 miles. Problem is you have no evidence of any oil consumption.
5. I would bet your car was delivered with this amount of oil. The dealer probably checked the oil prior to delivery to you. Techs do not have time to wait 15 minutes prior to checking oil. Warm engine, shut down, oil check, probably showed slightly below upper limit which means the tech said good-to-go.
6. Geez! Enjoy your new car and monitor from this point on. Panic when called for which is not now!

 

[TheGrabberBlueGT2024]

TheGrabberBlue - You've taken the worst case scenario road without any evidence pointing to an issue.

1. You can safely add small amounts of oil at a time until you get the level up to the top dot (not maximum). There is absolutely no harm in doing so. If you choose to do this do so on a warm engine. Add a little wait 15 minutes and recheck and so on until you hit the desired level. A warm engine will help the newly added oil drain down to the oil pan faster.
2. Ford Owners manuals are written for non car enthusiast. Ford says do not add oil if your oil level falls between the lower and upper limit to avoid overfilling by gung-ho types.
3. Addressing the 9.5 vs. 10qt. change in specs. To me this means you'd be safe down to 8.5 qts. with the new 9.5 spec. And down to 9 qts. with the old spec. Your still safe regardless of either.
4. I get the fact your concerned about excessive oil consumption within less than 400 miles. Problem is you have no evidence of any oil consumption.
5. I would bet your car was delivered with this amount of oil. The dealer probably checked the oil prior to delivery to you. Techs do not have time to wait 15 minutes prior to checking oil. Warm engine, shut down, oil check, probably showed slightly below upper limit which means the tech said good-to-go.
6. Geez! Enjoy your new car and monitor from this point on. Panic when called for which is not now!

So I don’t have to jump off this building? Okay great. Funny you say that my salesman told me they don’t even lift the hood lol. When you say not to the top dot are you referring to filling to the top of the hash marks?

 

[TheGrabberBlueGT2024]

The build date of this car was October 31,2024. I don’t know if that has any relevance on this discussion but it’s there.

 

[TheGrabberBlueGT2024]

TheGrabberBlue - You've taken the worst case scenario road without any evidence pointing to an issue.

1. You can safely add small amounts of oil at a time until you get the level up to the top dot (not maximum). There is absolutely no harm in doing so. If you choose to do this do so on a warm engine. Add a little wait 15 minutes and recheck and so on until you hit the desired level. A warm engine will help the newly added oil drain down to the oil pan faster.
2. Ford Owners manuals are written for non car enthusiast. Ford says do not add oil if your oil level falls between the lower and upper limit to avoid overfilling by gung-ho types.
3. Addressing the 9.5 vs. 10qt. change in specs. To me this means you'd be safe down to 8.5 qts. with the new 9.5 spec. And down to 9 qts. with the old spec. Your still safe regardless of either.
4. I get the fact your concerned about excessive oil consumption within less than 400 miles. Problem is you have no evidence of any oil consumption.
5. I would bet your car was delivered with this amount of oil. The dealer probably checked the oil prior to delivery to you. Techs do not have time to wait 15 minutes prior to checking oil. Warm engine, shut down, oil check, probably showed slightly below upper limit which means the tech said good-to-go.
6. Geez! Enjoy your new car and monitor from this point on. Panic when called for which is not now!

Oil expands when hot. How does adding when hot help to figure out where it will end up when cold?

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