Check Oil Level???

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

CamReynolds

Full Access Member
Joined
May 15, 2017
Posts
341
Reaction score
164
How much oil does my 5.3 need if the check engine oil comes on? I have 152,000+ so it uses some oil, but id like to know how much oil it needs to use before the light comes on. The dipstick is weird looking to me lol
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
23,408
Reaction score
34,034
Location
Stockton, Ca.
If I remember correctly I think the sensor comes on when it is 2 quarts low, maybe someone will say for sure
 
OP
OP
CamReynolds

CamReynolds

Full Access Member
Joined
May 15, 2017
Posts
341
Reaction score
164
If I remember correctly I think the sensor comes on when it is 2 quarts low, maybe someone will say for sure
The light came on last night but not today .I checked the dipstick and it had one dot. I added half a quart and it went to 2 dots? Thought the dots were each one quart
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
23,408
Reaction score
34,034
Location
Stockton, Ca.
The light came on last night but not today .I checked the dipstick and it had one dot. I added half a quart and it went to 2 dots? Thought the dots were each one quart
The lower part on the stick should be 1qt to the full mark (I think), my 2000 didn't throw the oil dummy light until it was 2qt low
 

Chubbs

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2017
Posts
613
Reaction score
344
Have you crawled under there with a flashlight and looked for oil leaks on the oil pan, inside the inspection hole of the bell housing and bottom of the valve covers?

A lot of trucks with way more mileage don't lose any oil; there is no certain age or mileage as prerequisite. With that being said, some investigation wouldn't hurt. Perhaps even necessary as 150k is barely broken-in for a GEN3 power plant

All of the holes on the dipstick reading should always be covered so if you are showing more than 1 hole before an oil change I would suggest you check the level more frequently so that you aren't having these low-oil level problems.

My trucl hasn't been losing anything, anywhere since I bought it, but I still check the level on everything under the hood at least once a week. It's no strenuous task for me. It's good practice as this scenario proves. At least if you check it every week you will know the rate at which a system is losing fluids. If you ask me the dummy light means you are slacking, assuming no catastrophic failure, loose clamp, busted hose, maint/service fail, things of that nature.

Anyway, I'm going to check the different tech-literature for any mention of the dipstick indicators having any correlation with specific quantity, since that was your basic inquiry. I will also look for anything on the low level sensor.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
CamReynolds

CamReynolds

Full Access Member
Joined
May 15, 2017
Posts
341
Reaction score
164
Have you crawled under there with a flashlight and looked for oil leaks on the oil pan, inside the inspection hole of the bell housing and bottom of the valve covers?

A lot of trucks with way more mileage don't lose any oil; there is no certain age or mileage as prerequisite. With that being said, some investigation wouldn't hurt. Perhaps even necessary as 150k is barely broken-in for a GEN3 power plant

All of the holes on the dipstick reading should always be covered so if you are showing more than 1 hole before an oil change I would suggest you check the level more frequently so that you aren't having these low-oil level problems.

My trucl hasn't been losing anything, anywhere since I bought it, but I still check the level on everything under the hood at least once a week. It's no strenuous task for me. It's good practice as this scenario proves. At least if you check it every week you will know the rate at which a system is losing fluids. If you ask me the dummy light means you are slacking, assuming no catastrophic failure, loose clamp, busted hose, maint/service fail, etc.
We took it to a shop and there isn't a leak it's just using some oil. But right now I have 2 or 3 holes of oil
 

Chubbs

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2017
Posts
613
Reaction score
344
what are there? Like 5 holes in total?

At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.

Engine Oil Level
Inspect the engine oil level. Add the proper oil if necessary.

In order to select the proper fluids and lubricants, refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.

Engine Coolant Level
Inspect the engine coolant levels. Add the proper Dex-Cool ®, if necessary.

Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Inspect the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir. Add the proper fluid, if necessary. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.

Have you checked the fill level on all of the other systems? Trans, differential, etc?
 
OP
OP
CamReynolds

CamReynolds

Full Access Member
Joined
May 15, 2017
Posts
341
Reaction score
164
what are there? Like 5 holes in total?

At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at each fuel fill.

Engine Oil Level
Inspect the engine oil level. Add the proper oil if necessary.

In order to select the proper fluids and lubricants, refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.

Engine Coolant Level
Inspect the engine coolant levels. Add the proper Dex-Cool ®, if necessary.

Windshield Washer Fluid Level
Inspect the windshield washer fluid level in the windshield washer reservoir. Add the proper fluid, if necessary. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations.

Have you checked the fill level on all of the other systems? Trans, differential, etc?
Yeah they're all good I just wanna know how much oil it has to use before the light comes on
 

Forum statistics

Threads
128,788
Posts
1,805,462
Members
91,771
Latest member
mimi66972

Latest posts

Top