Oil Change Help
 

Hey guys I need some help with my 2004 350z. I am pretty good at doing my own oil changes and have been doing them on several cars. I have done two oil changes on this car since buying it. It seems to me that the car only takes 4.2 quarts or so of oil. I put in on jack stands at all 4 corners and drain oil completely but I cannot figure out why the dipstick shows full after just the 4.2 or so quarts of oil. I do also change the filter. Can anyone give me some insight into this would it help if I put only the front part of the car up to drain oil better? I have tried searching but cannot find anything helpful as of yet. Thank you so much.

I think the manual states DE capacity 4.7 qts. with a filter change. After you've got the car back on the ground and driven it to fully heat the oil, check the dipstick after it's been sitting for a while and top off as necessary. There's a thread somewhere about how to properly read the dipstick (supposed to be difficult on a Z?) but I've never had any issue with it. Mine's an HR, so maybe it's a bit different.

I wouldn't get too stressed over this, and if this car is new to you, check the oil frequently to make sure it's not leaking/burning too much.

Check the oil after its been parked for a while


I use 5 quarts to change mine. Rotella 5-40

The owner's manual for the 2003 models states 5 quarts of oil when changing the filter. Since I always change the filter, I use a 5 quart jug of oil when changing.

Im pretty sure the updated dipstick on the HR is the single greatest improvement they made in the switch from DE to HR. The DE dipstick literally sucks balls.

The dipstick on my car is horrible. I just don't want to put in the full 5 quarts if there is enough oil in the car. like I said it took just over 4 quarts and seems to be fine I will just monitor the level and add as needed. any suggestions on how to raise the car up to drain better? like should it be level or tilted a bit? thanks for all the good info I appreciate it.

Is 4 quarts bringing it up to the low line or the high line on the dip stick? What is your dip stick method?