I did a search on this and found nothing, so here goes.

I just took my "new" 2001 Xterra in for its first oil change since I purchased it. Was going to do it myself but the wind is really whipping on the mountain top and my garage is full, so I took 4 quarts of Red Line and a new filter to Monroe.

Before I could even ask them to make sure that the top was on the half quart that was left over in case it toppled over on the ride home, the manager told me that the 4 quarts filled it, but I would want to check and make sure I didn't need to add another half quart, since the Xterra usually holds 4 and a half quarts.

When I mentioned that the owner and service manuals state that the 3.3 V6 takes 3 and a half quarts, he said that the manuals are frequently wrong and that all of the V6 X's that they have done took 4 and a half quarts.

Is he wrong or is it possible that he is thinking of the newer Xterra and they actually do hold more oil than the first gen's do? When I checked the dipstick, it is exactly on the full mark.

Never (EVER) ever go to a quick lube place, like Jiffy Screwed, etc.

They are vandals at best, and crooks at worst.

The manual is correct, and they probably KEPT the Redline, and put in shit oil, or didn't even change it at all...or changed it with shit oil, and stripped the plug with the air tool, broke what was left of the splash guard, etc.

Sorry, but they all seem to suck big hairy moosecock.

You were probably fucked.

sorry.

I bought my X used. I did my first oil change myself within the fisrt week I bought it because I had no clue what was in it for oil. I took out a bit more than 4 litres (4 quarts and change) from it. I remember because I put the used oil in an empty 4 litre jug and I fill it and I still had some left in the drain pan. So it is possible that they put 4 quarts in. However, it only took me 3.3litres (3.5qt) to bring it to the full mark.

Ya, every time I change my oil I think to myself, man! 3.5 qts is not much oil for a 3.3 V6. My friends even say the same thing. My friend's 2.7 liter toyota tacoma takes over 4 qts... just seems weird.

It wasn't actually a Jiffy Lube, it was Monroe Muffler. I've went there on an off for years when I was too lazy or didn't have the time to change my own oil and they have always done a good job. This is the first time that I have ever questioned their actions, regarding the amount of oil that they added.

The oil level is right at the top of the full mark, so I quess they didn't overfill it. I'm just glad they didn't throw an extra half quart more in there.

Oh, I know for a fact that they put the Red Line in because I could see them through the waiting room window...which was not by accident, by the way

it is supposed to be 3.5 qts. thats it, the nissan dipstick ( both the one you use to check your oil level, and the fuckin genius that designed it) suck ass. if it was over just a 1/2 qt, it would be hard to tell.

if you guys that wonder about the small amount the v6 X takes compared to the other v6's out there, look at your drain pan size and then look at theirs and see the difference.

Damn! I could not have said it better!

.

okay, I went out this morning and checked the level again, and the oil actually is up on the dipstick about an inch and a half to two inches when the engine is completely cold.

Will this damage the engine or is this an acceptable range for the X? In the manual to my Ford Contour it has a little sidenote that it is normal for the oil level to be slightly above the full mark after an oil change.

I'm thinking about going back and telling them to drain out the extra half quart, free of charge, if this level of overfill will damage the engine.

My '88 Pathfinder had the same damn dipstick and I'm sure it was slightly overfilled many times and there were no engine problems.(Boddy rotted away)

Am I being too paranoid and instead should just consider it a lesson learned for next time, rather than go through the effort of draining out some oil?

Overfilling an engine w/ oil is just as bad as underfilling.

I'd fix it... it is definitely overfilled and that is dangerous.

agreed x2

I ALWAYS do my own oil changes, that way I
know it is done right.

So TJ, how do you really feel.

South Side Ninja, you got that correct. Of all the vehicles I have owned over the years, both foreign and domestic, the dipstick on the X is the stupidest ( is that a word :rolleyes: ) thing I have seen.