Oil capacity = only 4 qts?

[Dave B]

On an 07 Impala with the 3.5 liter V6 the oil capacity is listed as only 4 quarts (with filter) unless I'm mis-reading it. I guess this obviously must be enough but I would have thought that more (4 1/2 or 5) would be better?? Just curious.

Thanks,
Dave

[GMCSonoma]

GM says this in the service manual too...


I suggest just putting in 4 quarts on a service then check it....

2007 Chevrolet Impala Capacities and Specifications

Table 1:Engine SpecificationsThe following approximate capacities are given in English and metric conversions. See Recommended Fluids and Lubricants for more information.
Application
Capacities
English
Metric
Air Conditioning Refrigerant R134a
For the air conditioning system refrigerant charge amount, see the refrigerant caution label located under the hood. See your dealer for more information.
Automatic Transaxle
7.4 qt
7.0 L
When draining/replacing converter, more fluid may be needed.
Cooling System Including Reservoir

• 3.5L V6, 3.5L V6 Flexible Fuel, 3.9L V6 Engines

10.1 qt
9.6 L

• 5.3L V8 Engine

13.3 qt
12.6 L
Engine Oil with Filter

• 3.5L V6 , 3.5L V6 Flexible Fuel and 3.9L V6 Engines

4.0 qt
3.8 L

• 5.3L V8 Engine

6.0 qt
5.7 L
Fuel Tank

• 3.5L Engine (with NU6 emissions) sold new in CA, ME, VT, NY, MA (see your dealer for bordering states)

17.0 gal
64.4 L

• 3.5L Engine (without NU6 emissions) sold new in all other states (see your dealer for more information)

17.5 gal
66.2 L

• 3.9L and 5.3L Engines sold in all states

17.5 gal
66.2 L
Wheel Nut Torque
100 lb ft
140 Nm
All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the approximate level, as recommended in this manual. Recheck fluid level after filling.

[BigAls87Z28]

You know what I noticed that GM, from 04 to 05, went from 5 qts to 4 qts for 05 3.5 V6's. My Maxx's manual says to put in 5 qts....but all the 05's I work on say 4?

[Dave B]

Thanks for the replies. I'm still surprised. I'm guessing (not being an engineer) that 5 quarts would stay cleaner longer?? I guess they must have shrunk the oil pan?? Just have to be sure it's changed on time.

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

When I change my oil, if it requests 4 quarts, I'll put in, 3 1/2 quarts, then run the engine for awhile (10-15 minutes or so). Then check the oil. It may be at the bottom of the hash lines. I will maybe add another bit of oil, then run the car again. Check again. I try and get the oil so it is in the center of the hash lines.

If you overfill there is a chance that you can blow your seals. It's best to have the oil level on teh dip stick just below the Full mark. I like it in the center of the has lines, below the Full mark.

I wouldn't recommend overfilling. There is a chance of blowing your seals.

[T-Type]

Overfilling wouldn't affect pressure, so I can't see it blowing seals. Overfilling can wreck your engine though. If there is so much oil that the crankshaft is touching the surface of the oil, something will break. This is because the crankshaft will be slamming into the oil every revolution. As long as you are within the hashmarks you are fine. No need to be exactly in the center.

I would definately do what the owner's manual says. You can be sure that GM has done their homework to make sure 4 quarts will work.

[Dave B]

Thanks, I was not planning on overfilling it. I just wanted to be sure I was reading it right and if GM says 4 quarts, then that's what it gets. No more - no less. GM made it and they know best.

I was just surprised that the amount was that low. Most v6 motors I've dealt with had a higher oil capacity and I was thinking along the lines of more capacity = the oil will stay cleaner longer. It'll end up being changed every 3,000 miles for sure.

Now I am concerned that If it goes anywhere other than a GM dealer for an oil change (unless I do it myself) they will over fill it.

Dave

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

Not really a big deal. More oil capacity means perhaps a slightly longer service life (meh) and also means it takes a lot more time for it to heat up. 4 qts is really not a small amount of oil and should be more than sufficient for the engine when changed regularly. 5 quarts is a pretty big amount of oil. My 1976 Pontiac 400 V8 (a 6.55 litre V8 engine) has a 5 quart sump. You have an engine almost half the size with 4/5ths the oil capacity that has all the advantages of thirty years engineering developments. And the 400 has a 5 000 mile oil change interval (IIRC). Don't worry!

Mind you, my 1983 BMW has a 3.2 litre inline six and has about 5 *litres* of oil capacity (5,5 quarts).

[ockgator]

3800 will take 5 qts.... trust the stick and not the book. Only thing overfilling will do is whip air into the oil causing pressure fluctuations and lack of lubrication. Otherwise known as "oil foaming".

[Ryan066]

with any 3.5 id put in 4 and check, ive seen some take 4.4L and some take 4.0L

i dont trust what gm says to put in lol, because it says for the motor in the epica DOHC engine it says like 6.7L when it acutally takes 7.5 L

[F14CRAZY]

My 3800 calls for 4 quarts not including the filter. With the PF52 filter, it comes to like 4 3/4 quarts (almost the whole 5 quart jug of Mobil 1)

[Dave B]

My 3800 calls for 4 quarts not including the filter. With the PF52 filter, it comes to like 4 3/4 quarts (almost the whole 5 quart jug of Mobil 1)

Yea, the 3.1 liter in the 99 Cutlass takes exactly the same with the same filter. The filter is short and only holds 3/4 of a quart. Also the 3.4 liter in an 04 Alero took the same. That's why I was initially surprised that the 3.5 liter took 4 quarts with the filter.

[Triple-X08]

yes ive run into this as well
different filter. different mounting location from the 3.4/3.1. different pan
3.1/3.4 takes a 47 or a 52 depending on the vehicle 4.5 qts

3.5/3.9 takes a 47 on malibus and equinox, 61 on others 4 qts with a 61


and a 3800 should not take a 52. it takes a 47. 4.5 qts

[F14CRAZY]

I don't go off roading with the Reatta very often, so I'm not overly concerned about the PF52's extra size

[Ed753]

That isn’t much oil IMHO. Couple reasons why they may have dropped it to this amount:

1. 4 quarts = 3.7854118 L or rounded to 3800 cc’s or 231 CID = (good engine) *read superstition*
2. GM sells about 4.5 million cars in the US, at $.50 a quart, that is $2.25 million directly to the bottom line
3. They made the oil pan smaller
4. Someone mentioned “foaming” take that 2 steps the other direction and you have less drag as the crank is not in the oil as much (this is almost like a “dry-sump” system) = better mpg

Considering GM says burning 1 quart per 1,000 is acceptable ............ How much room for error/margin do you have on a 3,500 mile oil change, much less 6,000 – 8,000 with the engine oil monitor system!?

Maybe this is how they are limiting their exposure to the 100,000 mile warranty, claim all engine failure “owner abuse/neglect” ............ Just a thought.