Correct oil dipstick level
 

I had my first oil change over the weekend (done at the dealer). 06 XLT 5.4, 7 quarts cap.

I checked it today and noticed the level is at the lower of the 2 holes on the stick. The area between the holes is no add.

But, since the dealer did the change, I'm assuming (I know, I know) that they added the correct amount of oil.

Has anyone found their dipstick to be off by that much?? It just seems like something is amiss. I'm think about draining the oil, and measuring the amount, minus the filter, just to be sure.

I have had a couple of vehicles that the stick did not match what was added during an oil change. Some of them would be up to a 1/2 a quart off. But never this much.

The other thing a don't like is the 2 piece w/rivets dipstick. The stick on my 94 F-150 5.0 was longer and one piece. The 2 piece is a pain to use.

I bet they put in 6qts instead of 7

I am betting the same.

Thanks for the replies.

I don't want to over fill the thing. But, would it be better to drain it and check or just put, say 1/2 a quart in it and go let it go for a while? The motor only has 4500 miles on it.

I know overfilling is a no no.

i just got my truck a few weeks back 4.6 eng i told them i was 1/2 qt low on oil they told me they leave it 1/2 qt low to make the eng run quiter and this is per the service manager i think it is a little bit weird but it is there design so we shall see has anyone else been told or heard of this

I ha a similar issue with my first "free" oil change from the dealer. When I picked it up the service ticket said 5 qts 10w30. I questioned svc mgr and he said oh thats what is in the computer for oil changes don't worry we did it right. The next day I check the dip stick, level is not even close to reading. I went back to the dealer and told them they had a tech come over and he starts adding oil and checking and he is like "did they put any oil in here" the long and the short of it is he added 2 qts to it.

An oil and filter change and 6 quarts will take the reading on the dipstick to 1/2 way between add and full. And extra 1/2 quart will put the reading on full.

The bottom line is people are overrated and sometimes we all make mistakes. Just add a 1/2 quart at a time until the dipstick reads somewhere between the add and full line.

Actually I have found on the 5.4 with a filter change it take 7 qts to get it to the full mark! I think it even states it in the owners manual.

Thanks guys!

I'm going to add a 1/2 to bring it up to the middle between the holes. This oil change was a free bee from the dealer. The next one I will be doing myself. When I do it, I will verify where 7 quarts is on the dipstick.

My Ford Focus always reads 1/2 quart low, right in the middle of the no add area. After I did the first oil change on it, I took it back to the dealer because I thought it had the wrong dipstick. Nope, correct stick. But the correct amount of oil added leaves it looking low.

Thanks again.

I just changed my oil for the first time at 970 miles on my '06 F-150 w/5.4L this past weekend. The book calls for 7qts, I added the 6 then add 1/2 qt at a time as others suggested.

One thing I will say - it is a PITA :-X02 to change the filter on that truck. (Mind you I am used to the remote oil filter I had in my 460 powered '84 Bronco) but still... I am definitely going to be getting a "cup" that fits my filter so I can use a socket wrench.

I also plan on changing the oil every 4,000 miles even though Ford recommends every 5,000.