I checked my oil today and it wasnt anythin on the dipstick, so i figured that id let the car warm up then let it fall back down to the pan and check it again. Still nothin.. So my question is if i dont have any oil with the dic display that where it says oil life? Or should i add a few quarts to be on the safe side?

 

add a quart and see if it moves up on the dipstick. the DIC oil life is just a general idea of when to change the oil

 

Add 1 quart and check the level. If still nothing on the stick add 1 more. If still nothing on the stick, takt it to the last place you had your oil changed and tell the retards that your car takes 6 qts of oil.

 

right the dic is a idea of when the last time i reset it? So if their isnt any oil it would read it?

 

The DIC doesn't know if theres any oil there, too much or too little, or just right. Its all electronic.

 

The DIC is just reset when you change your oil. I only calculates based on coolant temp, outside temp and engine revs. It has no way of reading how much oil is in the pan.

Who did the oil change last time?

Have you noticed any leaking?

Has the car been running different?

When was the last time you changed the oil?

 

I changed my oil the last time it was changed.. No leaking unless it leaks when im in motion.. The car isnt running different and the last time it was changed was in july. Maybe 3000 miles ago

 

How much oil did you put in when you did the oil change? Did you put oil in it yet, and how low was it?

If you don't have any leaks that means you must be burning the oil, or it is getting in with the coolant. How does the coolant look? You may have a blown head gasket or you may have some shot rings.

 

Coolant looks normal. I dont have any white smoke. and shot rings? I have 17k on the car. And when i changed it i put 6 quarts in it and when i just put one quart in it sunday. And when i checked the dipstick it was in the middle of the L and the F. It was wired how that worked

 

Well if you were a quart low the oil went somewhere. If its not leaking, and its not in the coolant, then it must be burning. All cars will burn a bit of oil from time to time... but burning almost a quart is quite a bit.

 

Mine takes 7 quarts on the dot for an oil change. Most SS/SCs take 6.5.

Next oil change, I would suggest putting 6 quarts in, check it. If it doesn't register, add some. Start the car, let it run for 10 seconds or so and shut it off, check it again. If it's not registering again, add some more.

 

Right by i just checked my oil like 5 mintues ago and now its all the way up to just below the max line

 

When checking the oil you need to make sure the car sits for at least 10 to 15 minutes before checking it. On the SS/SC you have to wait for the oil to drain through the motor and the oil cooler lines before getting an accurate reading. Also, the oil should show right in the middle of the dipstick for a perfect fill. After a bit of messing with it, and with other member's cars it takes 6.2 quarts to fill the SS/SC. 7 quarts is a bit much. 6 quarts is ok, but you will be about a quarter of a quart low.

 

6.5 doesn't even register on mine. I know full well it's a factory freak. It has taken 7 quarts from the very first oil change and I only know of 1 other SS that takes the same as mine. 7 is dead on for me.

 

If you put 6 QTS in you were atleast 1/2 a quart low. According to GM the pan hold's 6.3 qts /6.5 with the filter. Like ALLEYCAT said thou it seems like these cars can be all over with the capacity, Some will take 7 to be right on ..some less. I put in 6.5 and let it sit overnight before checking it for level. It seems like it takes forever for the oil to drain to the pan after it's shut down. BTW 6.5 leaves me a liitle lower than mid range on the stick,

 

Hmm... wonder why your pan would be different then everyone else.... that is just weird.



The filter does not hold oil, therefore changing the filter makes absolutely no difference. 6.2 ~ 6.3 could just say about 6.25 should put you in the safe range. I have always put about 6.2 or so (no way to tell the exact amount... could be 6.3) and my oil is always right in the middle. You definately have to wait about 15 minutes for the oil to make its way to the pan though...

 

Dip Stick Too Short?

 

Here's the service bullietin

xTooltipElement Service Information
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt | Cobalt, Pursuit (VIN A) Service Manual | Bulletins By Category | Technical | Document ID: 1593070
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Approximate Fluid Capacities
The following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. See Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations for more information. All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.

Application
Specification

Metric
English

Cooling System

2.0L L4 Engine Supercharged - RPO LSJ
5.7 liters
6.0 quarts

2.2L L4 Engine - RPO L61
6.5 liters
6.8 quarts

2.4L L4 Engine - RPO LE5
7.0 liters
7.4 quarts

Intercooler System 2.0L Engine - RPO LSJ
1.9 liters
2.0 quarts

Engine Oil With Filter

2.2L L4 Engine - RPO L61
4.8 liters
5.0 quarts

2.0L L4 Engine Supercharged - RPO LSJ
6.0 liters
6.3 quarts

2.4L L4 Engine - RPO LE5
4.8 liters
5.0 quarts

Fuel Tank
51.1 liters
13.5 gallons

Transmission/Transaxle

Transaxle, Automatic- Bottom Pan Removed 4T40-E
6.6 liters
7.0 quarts

Dry
12.2 liters
12.9 quarts

Complete Overhaul
9.0 liters
9.5 quarts

Transaxle, Manual - Getrag 5 Speed
1.7 liters
1.8 quarts

Transaxle, Manual - MU3
1.9 liters
2.0 quarts

Š 2008 General Motors Corporation. All rights reserved.

You are correct , i must have misread it and screwed up the amount's in my head . It's 6.3 w/filter . I'm not sure why GM would list it with the filter but they do.

 

Not a clue, there's something weird there. Maybe it's an 05 thing. Although the only other one that I've seen do it was an 06, so who knows.

That actually was a problem with some Cobalts, but no, I do have the correct dipstick. It's just decided to be freakish.

When I first got the car, dealers were doing oil changes with 5 quarts of oil. And charging $77+tax.

 

Ouch... lol. I would have been bitching for sure!