I have been changing the oil in my 94 Camry since I purchased it w/ 50,000 miles. The car now has 132,000 miles, and I've changed the oil every 3,000 miles. That's a lot of changes! Whenever I change the oil I ALWAYS check the level on the dip stick. After adding 3.7 quarts of oil, the dip stick is exactly on the full mark after running the engine for a few minutes to fill the oil filter.

This past week, because of a shoulder injury, I had to have the oil changed at my local Monro Muffler Shop. I specifically told them 3.7 quarts of 10w30.
The next morning, I checked the oil level on the dip stick with a cold engine and it showed 1/2 inch OVER the full mark!!!!! :nono: I called the Monro Shop and he said this was normal. Will someone explain this to me? Was he BS'ing me because I'm a woman or what? In our conversation, this guy told me that you could over fill a car with a quart of oil and it wouldn't hurt? I have never heard of this before. Would someone care to shed some light on this?

Is he right or is my car overfilled?
TIA,
Jackie

Yes, your car is overfilled. It is normal when you add too much oil. Bring it back to them and insist that they drain 1/2 quart out of the engine. They were obviously careless enough to dump in 4 quarts instead of what you told them to do. Don't take their word for anything. They may know how to put a muffler on your car, but don't assume the guy you talk to knows anything about engines. I doubt he'd work at Monro if he did.

Although 1/2 quart or so overfilled is probably not a serious issue, it is not recommended by Toyota. It can cause your car to leak more oil out of the main seals than it would normally because of the higher oil level.

Thanks Brian!

These guys just lost the job of putting the new struts on my car now, since they can't even change oil properly! Can you imagine what a mess they would have made with that job????

Jackie

Just wondering how many Camry owners including myself just go ahead and put the 4 qts. in instead of keeping a practically empty oil can around? I've been adding 4 qts at each oil change on different Camry's and Corollas for 8 years now instead of the recommend 3.7 qts.

Like Brain said its doubtful the extra oil will hurt anything and possibly you have more than 4 qts added. On my Camry the oil level goes up less than 1/4 inch over the full mark. You're only adding 4.8 ounces more oil with 4 gts. vs. 3.7 qts.

Actually, I have a '96 Camry 4cyl and normally add 4 quarts. The level on the dipstick is right at the full line when I'm done. There may be more errror in the oil pan size or oil pan gasket thickness or dip stick depth than there is in that small of a difference in oil content.

I agree totally with Brian on this one. You are overfilled a bit more than that .3 of a quart. I normally put in 4 quarts on my 94 Camry 4 cylinder and I am usually right at the full line. I guess a lot depends on whether you drain the oil hot or cold (hot is best, but not the greatest for your hands), how long you allow it to drain and what oil filter you use. The various oil filters differ in the amount of oil they actually hold. Take it back and have them drain some of it out.

Mike