08-10 SS Turbocharged General Discussion Discuss the 2008 - 2009 Chevy Cobalt SS Turbocharged. On sale since the second quarter of 2008.

n00b question: how do I read the dipstick?

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Old 11-20-2009, 01:24 AM
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n00b question: how do I read the dipstick?

I cant seem to figure out how to read the dipstick on this car...

Most cars' dipsticks are marked clearly where max and mins levels are....
On the SS/TC.. it goes like..


top of the stick with handle <=== |xxx| | | |xxx|

where's the max? the "|" at the top of the 3 smooth areas? or at the top of the "xxx" area?


Thanks...
Old 11-20-2009, 06:55 AM
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it's much easier to just drain your oil and measure it with your measuring cups. should take 6 liters. haha no no but seriously i'm pretty sure it should be near or on the line but i'd say the x's are a good buffer zone. i've heard people say oil doesn't even show up on the dipstick until you add the 6th litre.
Old 11-20-2009, 07:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Cobalt_Daddy
it's much easier to just drain your oil and measure it with your measuring cups. should take 6 liters. haha no no but seriously i'm pretty sure it should be near or on the line but i'd say the x's are a good buffer zone. i've heard people say oil doesn't even show up on the dipstick until you add the 6th litre.
yes.. usually the amount of oil to go from min to max is roughly a quart (for most cars)...

wait.. i put in roughly 5 quarts for the car.. no idea how many liters...
Old 11-20-2009, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by JT-KGY
yes.. usually the amount of oil to go from min to max is roughly a quart (for most cars)...

wait.. i put in roughly 5 quarts for the car.. no idea how many liters...
5 quarts = 4.78 Litres
Old 11-20-2009, 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Permafried-
5 quarts = 4.78 Litres
Old 11-21-2009, 09:35 AM
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The owners manual says 5 quarts, does it not? That's how much I put in, and my oil goes up into the top xxxx section.

I think that's where you want it, somewhere in that top xxx zone.
Old 11-21-2009, 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Koz
The owners manual says 5 quarts, does it not? That's how much I put in, and my oil goes up into the top xxxx section.

I think that's where you want it, somewhere in that top xxx zone.
I usually do 5 quarts, and top it off with a tiny bit from a 6th quart after the oil settles.
Old 11-23-2009, 06:55 AM
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Originally Posted by JT-KGY
I cant seem to figure out how to read the dipstick on this car...

Most cars' dipsticks are marked clearly where max and mins levels are....
On the SS/TC.. it goes like..


top of the stick with handle <=== |xxx| | | |xxx|

where's the max? the "|" at the top of the 3 smooth areas? or at the top of the "xxx" area?


Thanks...
Here is the quote from the design engineer:

if oil is in crosshatch zone (upper portion) = "FULL" or OK
if oil is in lower crosshatch then you are low and need to add about 1 qt.

We put in the "area" rather than a line due to complaints that reading was not "exact" so we gave "ADD" and "FULL" zones to account for some of the variation....
Old 11-23-2009, 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by More_Torque_More_HP
Here is the quote from the design engineer:

if oil is in crosshatch zone (upper portion) = "FULL" or OK
if oil is in lower crosshatch then you are low and need to add about 1 qt.

We put in the "area" rather than a line due to complaints that reading was not "exact" so we gave "ADD" and "FULL" zones to account for some of the variation....

THANK YOU!!!!!

I just wish that the user's manual explained it as well as you did...
Old 11-25-2009, 02:46 AM
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I just buy the 5.218 quart container for about 19.99 to 29.99 depending on the deal.
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