7 Quarts Of Oil???

[RedMM]

Had my first oil change today at L?M dealer. I noticed on the bill that they used 7 quarts. Checked the dipstick at home and it reads approx 1/2 inch above the "max". Called the service writer back to verify and he said that the car does take 7 instead of 6 as owners manual states. He said something to the effect that owners manuals are generic and that the sump was made deeper as part of a running change and that all 04 GMs and MMs take 7. He said the extra will burn off over time and will not harm the engine. I hate to second guess since they SHOULD know the correct way to perform such a basic function, but I wanted to run it past you guys as it makes me slightly uncomfortable. Also this was the second trip back for a front end alignment. Car has pulled to the right since I got it. I am supposed to take it back next week for a "LASER" alignment at the dealers BMW location next door. At the first alignment, I was told that car was in specs on alignment and that it was normal for cars with big tires to pull with the different road surfaces. However, since that time we have purchased a new 04 Mustang Mach 1 with big tires and I swear you can take your hands off the wheel for a mile and this pony will track dead straight with no pulling. Any words of wisdom on this would be appreciated also. Thanks!! Mike :help: :help:

[PAPAJOHN]

Had my first change in January --- they put in 6 qts -- dipstick is right on the full mark.
Alignment? I have 6,000 on it, and it holds dead center with hands off the wheel.

[RF Overlord]

I hate to second guess since they SHOULD know the correct way to perform such a basic function,

Since when?!

Having the dipstick read ½" over full sounds just like having one quart too many in the sump...I don't have an '04, so I can't say for sure, but that just sounds wrong...if 7 quarts is the correct amount, then why does your dipstick read so high?


He said the extra will burn off over time and will not harm the engine

As Colonel Potter (from M*A*S*H) would say: "HORSE-HOCKEY!" Here's what the owner's manual has to say about that:

"Oil levels above the MAX mark may cause engine damage. Some oil must be removed from the engine by a service technician."

That dealer's service department sounds like a bunch of hacks...

[jobrien8]

Your being taken. I work at Ford's Dynamometer facility in Dearborn and can tell you it is only a 6 qt. fill. The pan holds 5.5 qts, the filter 1/2qt.. The only gas engine that we test that has a 7 qt. fill is the 6.8L V-10.

[DL04]

Had my first oil change yesterday at LM dealer- 6qts.5w-30 @ $2.00 qt.I think I'd call'em on this one. :shot:

[TAF]

Rule #1 = RTFM (Read The :censor: Manual)

Rule #2 = Don't trust that the normal Dealer/Service Advisor-Writer-Manager has a clue!

Rule #3 = For all things "oil related"...go with whatever RF says...it's his job! Why do you think we call him RF OilLord...

[Merc-O-matic]

Having changed the oil in my car three
times....IMHO the car takes
6 1/2 quarts of oil...naturally with a
new oil filter.
"more than 6 less than 7"

Gotta Love It! :pimp:

[cyclone03]

Had my first oil change yesterday at LM dealer- 6qts.5w-30 @ $2.00 qt.I think I'd call'em on this one. :shot:

Take the car back and tell them they put the wroung oil in.
The Marauder specks 5w20.Semi Syn.

[cyclone03]

Having changed the oil in my car three
times....IMHO the car takes
6 1/2 quarts of oil...naturally with a
new oil filter.
"more than 6 less than 7"

Gotta Love It! :pimp:

Gotta go with you on this one Merc-O.

I'll admit I'm lazy so I just dump in 7 and go.
The Super charged,Vortex type,guys should go about a 1/2 or so quart high too because the oil coming back from the SC is very frothed up,full of air,and useless to the oil pump.

[RF Overlord]

Take the car back and tell them they put the wroung oil in.
The Marauder specks 5w20.Semi Syn.

DL04:

There's no need to take your car back...even if you're paranoid about using only the RECOMMENDED (it's not REQUIRED) oil, one change with 5W-30 won't harm anything. Running the car with TOO MUCH oil in it will. Switch back to 5W-20 at the next change if it bothers you...

Besides, you have the receipt to prove that the dealer put the 5W-30 in, so it won't be on you, anyway.

[Cobra25]

With a new filter and the dip stick oil mark on line after a change it hold 6 qts.Don't take any chances ,have them drain out the other qt.

[jgc61sr2002]

The Marauder definitely takes 6 Qts. of 5W20 syntheic blend. The dipstick should read between Min. and Max. ( the center of the markings)
Min#####I#####Max.

[junehhan]

My Marauder took just a little over 6.5 quarts to fill to the top line at my last oil change. I stood there watching them and even assisted them with the oil by taking the top off so they could put it in quicker. Right now after almost 3000 miles since the last change, it's still right at the full line.

[gilby04]

Hey Mike,
I personally change oil/filter in my vehicles...about all I can do anymore.
In any event, mine requires 6 1/2 quarts to maintain oil level at max mark on dipstick.
Exceeding the max oil level mark causes excessive oil splashing in the oilpan.
The splashing results in oil foaming which then migrates upward into the working area of the piston skirts.
Not a good scenario !
My MM steers "straight as a string" with no hands on steering wheel, just like your new Mustang. All vehicles are expected to do so, provided the surface of the roadway is reasonably flat, not crowned.
Perhaps you may want to consider another source for your MM service rather than your current dealer. In my view, if your dealer is willing to compromise the integrity of your MM with fabricated, inaccurate explanations regarding dipstick oil level, the credibility of your dealer is in question.
Hope this helps.
Happy Easter to you and yours,
Jim
By the way, since there is no pulling with your new Mustang with its big tires, where is the oil level on the dipstick ?

[derik]

I called my dealer on the oil amount after I was charged for 7 qts. They could put 6-1/4 qts in but charged for a full quart. After I told them to only put 6 in and give me the other quart they're charging me, it's been only 6 qts on the invoice since. I still don't think the dealership totally understands the Marauder. And that's something to worry about.

[1 BAD 03 MM]

I have 8.5 Qts in my system. This of course is because I have two (2) large filters, and oil line going to those filters. More oil capacity is a good thing.

I agree though, when I didn't have this system on my car it was 6.5 Qts to put it right on the full line. My NEW service guys (LM Mazda of Olympia) even list it on the invoice as 6.5 Qts 5W20.

(I had to remind them to put in 1 extra Qt, I had them leave the by-pass filter on and change the full flow to an FL-1A. Got it home and within a 100 miles drained and replaced with AMSOIL 5W30 ASL. I also change the full flow back to an SDF-15)

[RCSignals]

Checked the dipstick at home and it reads approx 1/2 inch above the "max". Called the service writer back to verify and he said that the car does take 7 instead of 6 as owners manual states. He said something to the effect that owners manuals are generic and that the sump was made deeper as part of a running change and that all 04 GMs and MMs take 7. He said the extra will burn off over time and will not harm the engine.
He's blowing smoke. He just doesn't want the labour time to remove the extra quart.

Ask him to show you, on documentation from Ford, where they say the Marauder and all Grand Marquis for '04 take 7 quarts. He won't be able to.

For '03 and beyond, the CV/GM/Marauder engines take 6 quarts instead of the previous 5 quarts.

[RedMM]

took car back to dealer today and had them drain out excess oil. Right on the max now. I appreciate all your comments, and agree-why take a chance being over full. "LAZER" alignment in the next day or two-hope this will correct the pulling to the right! THANK YOU! Mike