Dipstick reading?

3

315fx35

Member
Location
Syracuse NY
Last night did my first oil change on my 2005 fx35 with 52000 miles. Used 5 qts of Mobil 1 5/30 along with a premium walmart fram filter. I put the car on a ramp, let the oil drain for 20 min, even flushed it a little with some left over mobil 1 i had sitting around. Waited til oil pan was at a slow drop, tightened plug, replaced filter, filled all 5 qts.

Today, still cannot get even close to an accurate dipstick reading. Driving me crazy... i feel like Im imagining a tick in the engine now?? Its not loud and can barely hear it over the fans.

So my steps were

Oil drained for 20 min
Replaced filter
5 qts of Mobil 1 5w/30
Premium oil filter

Why can i not get a good reading? Should I worry or am I just being paranoid

PS- bought it 7 weeks ago with 49k on it. so this is my first DIY oil change...
 
You know that you need your car on level ground for a good reading, right? You said you had your car on ramp. Is it up on ramp at all four corners? If not, the reading will wrong. If you pour in 5 quarts, it shouldn't be too much off. It might a bit on the full side though.
 
la_fx35 said:
You know that you need your car on level ground for a good reading, right? You said you had your car on ramp. Is it up on ramp at all four corners? If not, the reading will wrong. If you pour in 5 quarts, it shouldn't be too much off. It might a bit on the full side though.
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Yes I've driven the car today and its off the ramp, only the 2 front wheels were up yesterday but I didnt check it until it had been sitting for 30 min on the garage floor. Is 5 qts too much? I just went on and poured it in bc thats what the manual called for. Been driving it today, seems normal. Im just suffering from new car paranoia. Its been at the dealer for new airbag, cruise control, tpms, gas gauge, and speedometer... all since i bought it 7 weeks ago. So far i HATE this fx35. Caused me nothing but wasted time and problems.
 
You cant get a accurate reading?? Take a picture of your dipstick and post it on here. When checking for accuracy, clean the dipstick then insert it in. Fx35 takes 5qts.
 
315fx35 said:
Yes I've driven the car today and its off the ramp, only the 2 front wheels were up yesterday but I didnt check it until it had been sitting for 30 min on the garage floor. Is 5 qts too much? I just went on and poured it in bc thats what the manual called for. Been driving it today, seems normal. Im just suffering from new car paranoia. Its been at the dealer for new airbag, cruise control, tpms, gas gauge, and speedometer... all since i bought it 7 weeks ago. So far i HATE this fx35. Caused me nothing but wasted time and problems.
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i've had the fx35 for a year with no problems and only minor maintenance done to the vehicle. regular oil (synthetic), oil filter, front/rear diff fluid, transmission flush, spark plugs/tune up etc

Could you have possibly bought a lemon? my fx is the most reliable car i've ever owned.
Sad to hear that you hate you fx!
 
well one thing I can tell you is that draining the oil on the ramps will still leave a little residual oil in the pan, when the engine is at an angle like that the drain plug is no longer at the lowest point & oil will collect in the pan behind the drain plug & will not come out unless you then drop the car to level with the drain plug still removed.... were not talking a significant amount but still, better to drain the pan with the car level, not nose jacked up...
 
john, i think he maybe having same problems like we had on my fx, i think its because of the weird way the dipstick is.
 
DJME said:
i've had the fx35 for a year with no problems and only minor maintenance done to the vehicle. regular oil (synthetic), oil filter, front/rear diff fluid, transmission flush, spark plugs/tune up etc

Could you have possibly bought a lemon? my fx is the most reliable car i've ever owned.
Sad to hear that you hate you fx!
Click to expand...

Yes once I hit 60k I will have diff fluid, tranny flush and plugs done. With that being said, I discovered all these problems within 2 weeks of owning the fx. They've all been fixed at the dealer's expense to the tune of $3500. Needless to say everything is in working order currently (knock on wood)

As for the oil level, yes with the nose up I realize not all the oil would come out. I considered this and left a small amount in my 5 qt jug. (didnt empty it out into my oil funnel). I guess Im just annoyed with the simplicity of not knowing how much oil is in my engine... My ws6, 300c, and sonata all could read the oil level with no problem. Ive pushed and shoved to get this car right... i was excited to change the oil and put mobil 1 and cant tell if the level is right LOL. Sorry for the vent. Ive just about had it. I will check the oil again right now to see if its settled.

(10 mins later)

The oil has settled! Spot on just below the H. Im popping the champagne as we speak... something went right! Now hopefully I can gain enough confidence with this car to start adding bolt ons.
 
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even though you've experienced some frustration, i am almost certain that you will soon find a new love for the FX.

The same love for it that enticed you to purchase it in the first place.

a little love and understanding goes along way especially when you buy used. You just never know about the previous owner and how they treated the ride...
give it a chance!
-J.
 
DJME said:
even though you've experienced some frustration, i am almost certain that you will soon find a new love for the FX.

The same love for it that enticed you to purchase it in the first place.

a little love and understanding goes along way especially when you buy used. You just never know about the previous owner and how they treated the ride...
give it a chance!
-J.
Click to expand...

You sound like my ex gf lol. Yeah Im stuck with it so Im definitely going to give it a chance
 
What info? He resolved the issue, after the oil settled he got a good reading. At least the FX still has a dipstick, I don't have one on my BMW and have to trust the electronic level sensor.
 
Recent experience with my BMW- stupid electronic sensor prompts me to add a quart of oil, i add a quart. The next day i get a warning light/message that i overfilled the oil and should not drive it RED MODE. I miss having a dipstick. So now when i get add a quart i had 1/4 of a quart
 
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Yeah, it's irritating. From what I read, the levels may not be accurate. The only parts that are 100% true are the low and high marks because those don't rely on the sensors.
 
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