Each of the 3 bigger bars represent .40 of a liter. Which is .42 quarts.

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Be Light & Salt

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If you look to the side of the bars the 1st one down from the top has a mark indicating full. 8.75 quarts takes mine to that bar. 8.25 quarts brings it to the bottom mark indicating low or sometimes to the bar just above that.

I did the oil change myself at 5,000 miles. I let the engine drain for about an hour, changed the filter, then added 8.2 qts. It is now WAY overfull. I'm puzzled - was a 1 hour drain not enough? Maybe the problem was that the car was not level. The rear tires were on ramps so I could get to the filter without a lift. I've driven over 1,000 miles and it is still overfull.

Oil drains seem to be the major source of variation in how much oil actually drains out, and how much it takes to refill to the full mark. A forward slope (rear raised) may not allow a full drain, even after an hour. Even on a lift, a small portion of the old oil remains in the system. It would be time consuming, and perhaps a little messy, but one could measure the drained oil, and refill the same amount. Alternatively, one could just refill with 7.5 to 8 quarts and check oil level the next morning after an overnight drain-down.

I think it's a good thing that so many are now aware that an overfill isn't a good thing, but a .2 quart overfill shouldn't cause panic. I know, the way the gauge is, we don't know exactly how much over the full mark an overfill is. My previous Porsche had both a oil level gauge, and a dip stick. They were both accurate (at least they both agreed), but the dip stick measure was more precise. Group buy on a dip-stick mod anyone?

******** If the oil level appears to be low after a filter & 8 quart change, give it a couple of days. Mine was on the next to bottom bar for 2 days than moved up to the center. Added 1/2 quart at that time. Now on 1 bar from top.

This morning I drained about .75 of a quart thinking it can't be any more over full than that. Well it still read over full....so I jacked the car back up and drained another .75 of a quart. That put me 1 bar low, so the moral of this story was that my factory trained dealer HA!...Over filled my car by 1 full quart. I don't believe it was enough to hurt anything, because I didn't drive it much.

I can see where if you track your car it would be a good idea to leave it .5 qt low away from full. After my loving dealer forced me to perform a DIY oil change minus the filter, I will be doing oil changes my self from now on. The only reason I had them do it in the first place was due to the fact I had them include it as part of the sale.

I really suspect the dealer overfill scenario stems from dropping off the car, and them driving it into the shop, then draining the oil. ANd all of the oil doesn't get out of the engine.

When I changed my own oil, I didn't fully have the car level, as I only raised the rear enough to get comfortable access. But, I jacked the car up the night before so that it would be fully drained into the tank.

I put in 7.5 quarts, started the car, checked several hours later, and it was 1 bar from full, so I added a little more - and perfect, The dealer doesn't keep the car for two days ...

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Cayman S - a portable amusement park
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- 2006 Cayman S
- 2003 Dakota SXT
- 1963 Studebaker Avanti, R2, 4-Speed
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LL

I was going to ask a couple questions about oil, but some of it was answered here. What IS the final answer as to how much oil to give the service dept.? I'd rather leave the place half a quart LOW than 1/2 a quart OVER! Of COURSE they will charge you for the 9th quart... and partial is rounded UP, I'm sure. I think it would be prudent to ask for the remainder in a bottle for future top-off-age. Whenever I supply my own oil for any oil change, I always ask for the bottles back. (Not had a service on the CS yet though.)

Also, what OIL FILTER is used? I saw a mention of a cartridge? I take it that it's not one that you can pick up at Wal-Mart???

Btw... Someone posted that Kragan's had Mobil 1 and a filter rebate thing going... THANKS for that. I picked up 6 0-W-40s for just to have some handy. I'll go get more when it's closer to service time.

P.S. Do Caymans use oil? Should I keep a quart with me for long trips?

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2 '98 Harley Road Glides
1 '07 RX-8
1 '06 Cayman S (I have arrived at last!!!)

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The problem is the ramps--car not level. I did the same thing, but I also carefully measured the amount of oil that drained out: with my ramps, a few ounces under 8 quarts...And, the only way to remove some oil is thru the drain plug--I tried a siphon tube thru the oil filler cap...no way.

Go to the dealer and get an OEM filter(s)... you'll need to get a drain plug crush ring, too.

Each motor is different, but the anecdotal evidence is that they don't use all that much oil... I do keep one with me on long trips, but have never used any.

brad

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Suncoast (sponsor) sells them online: Cayman Oil Filter kit

You can find the filter wrenches for much less (than the Porsche version) at Walmart or auto parts stores.

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2006 CS Tip (Daily Driver & Part-time Track Toy)
2005 Ford Expedition (to haul the CS)
2006 Lexus RX400h (wifey's)
Gone, but not forgotten: 2002 WRX, 2004 MINI

That's what I figured. I noticed after I had already posted on THIS thread that there was a Article about changing your own oil.

Do most owners change their own oil? and how does that affect warranty? Does a DIY oil change still satisfy the warranty requirements?

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2 '98 Harley Road Glides
1 '07 RX-8
1 '06 Cayman S (I have arrived at last!!!)

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