Okay, this is a strange one for me, since I usually know what the problem is. I know this has happened many times with different cars over the years because it's one of those things you just hear about. My 4.2L V6 takes 6.0 qts of oil according to the owner's manual. So, that's what I put in it. But after every oil change the stick shows 1/2 qt low. Now, Jiffy Lube would go ahead and put the other 1/2 qt in so the stick was satisfied, but I know better than that. I know, for example, that all 2007 4.2L oil pans are the same. No manufacturer puts a 6.0 qt pan on one and a 6.5 qt pan on another. So that leaves an inaccurate dipstick as the culprit, unless I'm getting shorted a pint in the 5 qt jug I buy along with one single quart. BTW, the oil level always comes right to the center between the 'Full' and 'Add' positions.
I guess my only question really is, is there anybody else on here with a 2007 4.2L V6 w/5-speed manual that has noticed the same thing on theirs?

 

There is nothing wrong with it. If it comes in between the full and add after 6 quarts then its all good.
Thats where it is suppose to be. Brand new Fords come in with even less oil, not much but less than halfway between the add and full. And that oil is put in at the factory... Full is overfull. I know it sounds crazy but true. The full line is the max it should ever be... Maybe later on down the road when it starts burnin oil then yea fill er up to the full line, but not when its new...

 

Thanks for the 'inside scoop'. That's interesting. So now they show a correct 'range' instead of the oil coming to the top mark on the stick when correct. Well, that's good to know. If it ever comes down to having to get somebody to change the oil for me, I'll have to make sure they don't put in any extra.
Burn oil? Never gonna happen. I haven't needed to add oil to a vehicle since my '78 Pontiac Sunbird Formula with Buick V6. I ruined it by removing/blocking all emissions controls and using 20W50 in it. Even so I drove it for 150,000 over 11 years and gave it to my son who rattled around Leesburg, GA in it for a few years. He still wishes he had kept it and rebuilt the engine. I finally learned about oil and haven't had any trouble since. I'm only putting 2000 a year on this truck (it had 9175 when I changed oil yesterday, the 5th change I've done on it) so I suspect it may be around for some time.

 

Why not just go with full synthetic oil, and change it once a year?

 

1. Because I like Motorcraft synthetic blend better than any full synthetic I have tried on other vehicles.
2. I did a couple of six month changes but now mostly once a year. I know you can't go by looks, but the oil coming out looks almost good enough to put back in. The danger with extended intervals on lightly-used vehicles is the formation and accumulation of sulfuric acid from moisture in the oil, so I at least make sure to drive it enough on any outing to get it fully warmed up.

 

Don't worry too much about the oil level on the dipstick. One time, a dealership tech put in 7 quarts, and it was right near the top of the crosshatch markings. Another time, I only had a 5 quart jug, and it came to the bottom of the crosshatch markings. The crosshatch marks give you a range of 5 - 7 quarts. Otherwise, there would only be 1 little line on the dipstick to indicate that you have the right exact amount. 6 quarts is ideal. It is what your car was engineered for, and what you should run. But as with all things being equal, over time, you may lose a quart of oil between oil changes and still be okay.

 

'Otherwise, there would only be 1 little line on the dipstick to indicate that you have the right exact amount'

No such thing. You must not have been pulling dipsticks for very long. The standard stick has two marks; the full mark and the low, or 'add' mark. In between is a crosshatched are representing the amount the level will change when the oil is to the 'add' mark and you add 1 quart. Now we have the new system that has a low mark and a high mark (small holes) but no center mark for 'good', and no crosshatching or any other explanatory mark. At least on mine, it comes to the center after changing, running, turning off and waiting before checking. To me, this indicated a short stick since I had never encountered this new system before. I believe the result of this marking system will cause any service center to put 1/2 qt too much in. Now, this won't hurt anything but is unnecessary. As the manual states, 6 qts is the correct amount. I still think it is an ignorant change that nobody needs, but at least I understand it now. I'm going to take my engraver and add a center mark plus 'MAX' and 'ADD' on the two holes.

 

I love it! You are "modding" the dipstick.

Whether it's two hole, two lines, a crosshatch, or whatever; it doesn't really matter. I look at so many dipsticks that I can't even remember what my own cars' dipsticks look like. It just indicates that you are within the acceptable operating range. You know that your manual says 6 quarts. You add 6 quarts. The oil comes in within the acceptable operating range.

It is desireable to have the right amount of oil that your manual calls for. You can roughly have 1 extra quart, or be one quart low, and you will still be okay. Just don't have it above or below, the top & bottom line or hole. Of course, the wise thing to do is to add a quart when you're low, and think about draining a little if you're high. But you don't have to. You're still within what is considered to be acceptable.

If you research it, most manufacturers define "normal" as burning up a quart of oil between specified oil change intervals. So if you know that you're losing oil, you can even start with 7 quarts, so that you will eventually go down to about 6 quarts.

But what is important is that you are regularly checking your dipstick. This is more than most people do. I live on a hill. I can't check any of my fluids, on any of my cars, with any amount of accuracy.