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Oil change not taking 10.5 quarts

Jason Kahn

New Member
Apr 1, 2016
6
2
Truck Year
2015
I have 2015 RAM 1500 3.0 Ecodiesel.
I performed my first oil change at 7500 miles.
I bought the Mobil 1 5w-30 ESP synthetic motor oil kit.
I drained the oil from the oil pan, and replaced the oil filter.
But noticed when draining the oil into the catch pan, it didn't look like 10.5 quarts.
So when pouring the new oil in I was very cautious in not over filling.
I put 9 quarts in and stopped. Started the truck, rolled it off the ramps, and waited for the oil level to stabilize.
After 5 minutes, I checked the oil level.
It was over the full line.
I started the truck again and let run for 5 minutes, shut the truck off, and again let it stabilize for 5 minutes.
Again it was over the full mark.
I pulled the drain plug to drain the oil till it was at the full mark.
I have driven the truck now for 2000 miles checking the oil level every day.
Still at the full mark.
My question is, why did it only take less than 9 quarts to fill during an oil change, instead of the 10.5 quarts?
My only theory is maybe the oil cooler holds 1.5 quarts.
Do I need to drain the oil cooler too?
 

John Jensen

Well-Known Member
Mar 22, 2016
840
416
Truck Year
2016
I have 2015 RAM 1500 3.0 Ecodiesel.
I performed my first oil change at 7500 miles.
I bought the Mobil 1 5w-30 ESP synthetic motor oil kit.
I drained the oil from the oil pan, and replaced the oil filter.
But noticed when draining the oil into the catch pan, it didn't look like 10.5 quarts.
So when pouring the new oil in I was very cautious in not over filling.
I put 9 quarts in and stopped. Started the truck, rolled it off the ramps, and waited for the oil level to stabilize.
After 5 minutes, I checked the oil level.
It was over the full line.
I started the truck again and let run for 5 minutes, shut the truck off, and again let it stabilize for 5 minutes.
Again it was over the full mark.
I pulled the drain plug to drain the oil till it was at the full mark.
I have driven the truck now for 2000 miles checking the oil level every day.
Still at the full mark.
My question is, why did it only take less than 9 quarts to fill during an oil change, instead of the 10.5 quarts?
My only theory is maybe the oil cooler holds 1.5 quarts.
Do I need to drain the oil cooler too?
Jason,
I have yet to change my oil but I did watch an uTube video on "how to". It showed the oil drained and cautioned to wait longer (5-15 minutes I think) as the upper area oil is slow to drain. Sure enough, after the wait more oil came pouring out.

Hope this helps
 

John

Well-Known Member
Nov 13, 2015
1,186
386
IMO, if you drain the oil completely and change the oil filter, put 10 or 10.5 quarts back in regardless of what you think the dipstick shows.
 

u130747

Member
Oct 26, 2015
41
10
Truck Year
2015
It may be that up on ramps did not drain all oil out. I think it may have to be level or you will not have full drain. Did you measure how much came out?
 

Jason Kahn

New Member
Apr 1, 2016
6
2
Truck Year
2015
No I did not measure the oil that came out. I just know 9 quarts was to much putting back in.
John J., next time I will let drain for 15 minutes to see if more comes out.

John, I am not filling it more than the dip stick shows. I just think I didn't get all the oil out.

I just didn't know if I need to drain the oil cooler too.
 

John

Well-Known Member
Nov 13, 2015
1,186
386
The engine and filter housing drain in less than 15 minutes on my truck. Was the truck elevated on ramps?
 

Jason Kahn

New Member
Apr 1, 2016
6
2
Truck Year
2015
Yes, while I was draining the oil, the truck was on ramps.
I can't fit under the truck to access the drain plug, unless it's on ramps.
But after draining, and placing 9 quarts in, I pulled it off the ramps, then checked the oil level.
 

Buggy-Bumpers

Member
Feb 21, 2016
36
15
Truck Year
2016
Try a top down oil change, that way you don't have to climb under the truck anyway. When in doubt, take it to the Sealer Dealer and have them change it. Make sure you stay and watch and see just how long it take them and how much oil comes out.
 

Brady

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2015
1,050
422
Truck Year
2015
I pull the front tires up on 2 flat landscape bricks (half thick concrete block). Gives just enough clearance for me to slide under truck, yet it's not elevated too much. Quick & easy 'lift' solution.
 

BoostN

Administrator
Staff member
Administrator
Jul 27, 2013
4,288
1,127
Truck Year
Not Listed
I pull the front tires up on 2 flat landscape bricks (half thick concrete block). Gives just enough clearance for me to slide under truck, yet it's not elevated too much. Quick & easy 'lift' solution.

Thats a good idea...
 

Jason Kahn

New Member
Apr 1, 2016
6
2
Truck Year
2015
Thank you everyone for your posts.
I will try this the next time and post the results.
 

jdn112011

Well-Known Member
Oct 18, 2015
1,242
336
Truck Year
2015
I guess I don't use ramps because I have factory air I just put it in offroad2 and slide underneath on a creeper. But the drain is on the rear of the oil pan so elevation sure as hell isn't going to hold a quart and a half of oil.

And do not put 10-10.5 in regardless. Too much oil ruins engines.

My personal recommendation? Make sure your truck is up to temp, oil is good and hot and it'll all drain out. But still drain for a good 10min. I do a fuel filter drain or change during my oil change and it always takes 10+. Hell I've forgot to swap the filter until after I filled it with clean oil and it still was good with 10 and 1/3-1/2
 

John

Well-Known Member
Nov 13, 2015
1,186
386
I guess I don't use ramps because I have factory air I just put it in offroad2 and slide underneath on a creeper. But the drain is on the rear of the oil pan so elevation sure as hell isn't going to hold a quart and a half of oil.

And do not put 10-10.5 in regardless. Too much oil ruins engines.

My personal recommendation? Make sure your truck is up to temp, oil is good and hot and it'll all drain out. But still drain for a good 10min. I do a fuel filter drain or change during my oil change and it always takes 10+. Hell I've forgot to swap the filter until after I filled it with clean oil and it still was good with 10 and 1/3-1/2

You might want to consider using jack stands. Remember the guy who went under his truck while in off-road 2 and the air suspension leaked-down. I don't think he was hurt too bad, but his pride sure suffered some.

I stand by my comment "if you drain the oil completely and change the oil filter, put 10 or 10.5 quarts back in regardless of what you think the dipstick shows." Remember the oil capacity is 10.5 quarts and it should never be more than 1/2 to 1 quart low.or you risk damage to the engine.

Also the dipstick on the ecodiesel doesn't always offer the most reliable reading.
 

jdn112011

Well-Known Member
Oct 18, 2015
1,242
336
Truck Year
2015
I never heard anything about a guy having his truck lowered on him but I go under the front not under the running board. I can fit in normal it just makes it roomy in offroad.

Though that would suck.

Consider running an engine with too much oil can do as much damage as running it with too little is all. If it's an issue ask your dealer for a new dipstick to cross reference your reading
 

John

Well-Known Member
Nov 13, 2015
1,186
386
10.5 quarts is not too much oil. It's the required amount. What more can I say?
 
Mar 13, 2016
53
17
Truck Year
2016
10.5 quarts is not too much oil. It's the required amount. What more can I say?

It is the required amount, but if for some reason u don't keep up with how much u take out, say it only drains out 9/9.5 quarts for some reason and u put 10/10.5 in. Then you may have 11/11.5 in it and that's too much. I'm pretty sure that's what "jdn" is talking about.
 

jdn112011

Well-Known Member
Oct 18, 2015
1,242
336
Truck Year
2015
Correct
 

Lou

New Member
Jan 31, 2016
26
4
Truck Year
2015
Another possibility, and I will not say how I know this, you can get Mobil1 euro in one litter bottles and 10 and a half bottles is 11 quarts.
 
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