Dipstick not reading?

[3TV]

I just changed the oil on my 392 today. I managed to get oil all over the place, ruin a shirt, and use 6 shop rags to clean up the mess. But just think of all the money I saved.

At least I know it has a new Mopar SRT M 041 filter and 7.5 quarts of Penzoil Ultra Platinum 0W40 in it, and there are no leaks, and the dipstick reads right on the full mark.

 

[Keithbickford]

I believe the 21 392’s take 7 qrts. Probably the ones with the aluminum oil pan

That’s correct. The version with the aluminum oil pan holds 7 quarts while the aversion with the Steele oil pan holds 7.5 quarts.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

I just changed the oil on my 392 today. I managed to get oil all over the place, ruin a shirt, and use 6 shop rags to clean up the mess. But just think of all the money I saved.

I hope that was a joke. Changing oil should not be that messy.

 

[Brutus 392]

The expertise level may vary from dealer to dealer. I trust my local dealer and had my first 3 "free" oil changes done there. I asked for the SRT filter and they did it. No questions asked. If I saw the level not detected by the dipstick, I would not only have asked if the right amount was put in, but also if the right oil was put in. If they put 5qts, they very likely used the oil for the 3.6 Pentastar.

I used my dealer on first two free oil changes. It also states on paperwork the oil they used and quantity of oil. I think you're correct on dealership quality being different.

 

[srj67]

My son in law worked at a dealership in the oil change bay a while after getting ASE certified. I wouldn’t let him work on my wheelbarrow. There are some great mechanics at dealerships, but they don’t work in the oil change bay. I change my own oil.

 

[hpmaniac]

You would be much better to have a local repair shop do it. NEVER go to dealer if you can avoid that. Most good shops will let you bring the oil and filter, we do.

 

[Winston]

My son in law worked at a dealership in the oil change bay a while after getting ASE certified. I wouldn’t let him work on my wheelbarrow. There are some great mechanics at dealerships, but they don’t work in the oil change bay. I change my own oil.

I lol'd at the wheelbarrow comment.

 

[Lost me beer]

Fwiw, I have changed my 392’s oil twice now, including oem filter. First time, 7.5 qts put it exactly on the full mark. This time, I didn’t warm up the oil (or even start it) and drained. Put in 7 QTs and it barely read on the dipstick at all. Started and checked for OP and leaks. Shut off and checked again after about 2 mins. Nada. Added 1/2 qt , read 1/2. Added another 1/2 and she read just at the full level. 8 qts.
Not sure if 1/2 qt more was needed since it wasn’t started and the oil was all (most) in the pan? I understand Mopar says 7.5, but mine has 8, and reads exactly full. Purchased new, and original dipstick. 2024 btw.
No idea why this time. I have changed my own oil for the last 40 years with zero issues. Only car I don’t change oil in is my wife’s Porsche.

 

[Brutus 392]

Fwiw, I have changed my 392’s oil twice now, including oem filter. First time, 7.5 qts put it exactly on the full mark. This time, I didn’t warm up the oil (or even start it) and drained. Put in 7 QTs and it barely read on the dipstick at all. Started and checked for OP and leaks. Shut off and checked again after about 2 mins. Nada. Added 1/2 qt , read 1/2. Added another 1/2 and she read just at the full level. 8 qts.
Not sure if 1/2 qt more was needed since it wasn’t started and the oil was all (most) in the pan? I understand Mopar says 7.5, but mine has 8, and reads exactly full. Purchased new, and original dipstick. 2024 btw.
No idea why this time. I have changed my own oil for the last 40 years with zero issues. Only car I don’t change oil in is my wife’s Porsche.

I also have a 24 , dealership changes mine for free. I noticed on paperwork after change they list approved oil and filter , it says quantity of 8 for oil. I know everyone says 7.5 is the amount of oil needed and that is my opinion based on what I've read.

 

[byhumba]

I became too curious and decided to measure my oil dipstick.

2021 with the aluminum oil pan. I changed my oil about 300 miles prior to this picture below. I followed the 7qt recommendation from my manual.

Full dipstick (handle included) measured 33 7/8 in.
Just the metal cable measured 31 3/8 in.

Now we need to compare with those of you who have the steel pan and those of you who get a dry dipstick after an oil change.

 

[Earl 392]

I became too curious and decided to measure my oil dipstick.

2021 with the aluminum oil pan. I changed my oil about 300 miles prior to this picture below. I followed the 7qt recommendation from my manual.

Full dipstick (handle included) measured 33 7/8 in.
Just the metal cable measured 31 3/8 in.

Now we need to compare with those of you who have the steel pan and those of you who get a dry dipstick after an oil change.

View attachment 49859


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Dip sticks should all be same length. Oil pan capacity should be the only difference

 

[byhumba]

Dip sticks should all be same length. Oil pan capacity should be the only difference

I agree. I'm just trying to make sense of this. Maybe, as unlikely as it may be, there is a bad batch/lot of dipsticks that are shorter than they should be (defective).