Low Oil

Filiper · 06-20-2021, 10:47 AM

Hi All,

Looking for advice. I recently had my cars oil changed a few days ago at a dealer close to me. Everything seemed fine as I drove off and picked up my niece about 20 miles away. The following day, when I turned the car on I was presented with a low oil message, which I thought was odd. I immediately shut the car off and checked the oil level. To my surprise, the dip stick was dry. The following day I went to have a friendly conversation with the dealer and it turns out they put 6 quarts of oil in my ZL1.

My question is, should I be concerned of any damage?

Best Regards,
Eric

Scottyz · 06-20-2021, 10:52 AM

I think you will be fine. That’s a bad blunder by the dealer. Always check your oil level after an oil change or be there when they check and show you the dipstick.

arpad_m · 06-20-2021, 11:02 AM

They must have gone with the 6-banger oil capacity, which is a significant goof indeed.

Along with what Scottyz said, I always check the invoice, it has to say filter + 10 qts of oil—if not, you have a standing and, provided the dealer is worth their salt, you should be given some small compensation for the risk and your inconvenience.

PROMETHEUS · 06-20-2021, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arpad_m

They must have gone with the 6-banger oil capacity, which is a significant goof indeed.

Along with what Scottyz said, I always check the invoice, it has to say filter + 10 qts of oil—if not, you have a standing and, provided the dealer is worth their salt, you should be given some small compensation for the risk and your inconvenience.

+1. Dealership service should know better. I would expect that at a Jiffy Lube and some such place.

Wierd Harold · 06-20-2021, 11:33 AM

My next thought would be what kind of oil did they put in it.

Crushed 1LE · 06-20-2021, 12:04 PM

So they just dump 6 in and call it a day? What happened to checking the dip stick? I'd be screaming blue murder. Call. GM CS - should be ashamed of themselves.

Curious.... What does a LT1 call for? 6? If so, they probably also put in the wrong type of oil thinking it was an LT1.

Trak-Toy · 06-20-2021, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crushed 1LE

So they just dump 6 in and call it a day? What happened to checking the dip stick? I'd be screaming blue murder. Call. GM CS - should be ashamed of themselves.

Curious.... What does a LT1 call for? 6? If so, they probably also put in the wrong type of oil thinking it was an LT1.

The SS (1LE or standard), ZL1 (1LE or standard) all take 10 quarts oil. No excuse for this, if you are paying attention to what you are doing. Obviously, they weren’t.

Trak-Toy · 06-20-2021, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filiper

Hi All,

Looking for advice. I recently had my cars oil changed a few days ago at a dealer close to me. Everything seemed fine as I drove off and picked up my niece about 20 miles away. The following day, when I turned the car on I was presented with a low oil message, which I thought was odd. I immediately shut the car off and checked the oil level. To my surprise, the dip stick was dry. The following day I went to have a friendly conversation with the dealer and it turns out they put 6 quarts of oil in my ZL1.

My question is, should I be concerned of any damage?

Best Regards,
Eric

I wouldn’t worry too much about any damages. Unless you took it straight to the track, you’ll be fine for the short trip you took in it.

Spaceme1117 · 06-20-2021, 01:42 PM

Car should be fine. But I would make sure that this is documented just in case the car has any problems in the future.

As for how this can happen, most dealerships have an automatic dispensing machine for oil. They dial in the make, model, and engine and it dispenses the proper amount. This is also why they wouldn't check the dipstick. But ANY GOOD MECHANIC will always check.

But they obviously didn't bother to put in the correct info for the dispensing machine.

So I hope you learned your lesson to NEVER TRUST ANY DEALERSHIP. Check your car thoroughly before you leave.

And if at all possible, do as much of your own maintenance yourself.

Could you share what dealership this was so people can avoid it? I mean if they can't get a freaking oil change right.

LT4Greg · 06-20-2021, 01:54 PM

No not really but I would make sure it had 10 quarts in it from now on if you have it changed by a dealership. That’s the main reason I change the oil in my Camaro to avoid this type of issue.

Vigilante375 · 06-20-2021, 02:26 PM

I would make the dealer print out a statement stating that they messed up so that if you had an issuein the future then you'd have something showing why.

Id have them drain and refill. Because who knows if they actually put in the correct fluid. If they give you and pushback, call GM customer service and tell them you're doing so.

2SS Capt · 06-20-2021, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

I would make the dealer print out a statement stating that they messed up so that if you had an issuein the future then you'd have something showing why.

Id have them drain and refill. Because who knows if they actually put in the correct fluid. If they give you and pushback, call GM customer service and tell them you're doing so.

THIS!!!

If they didn't know the quantity, likely they didn't know the correct quality of oil either, I'd have it re-changed immediately...

Badmojo · 06-20-2021, 09:47 PM

I would take an oil sample and send it to Blackstone Labs. They'll sent you a free kit. Any abnormal metals will show up. https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

You can save an oil sample of approximately 6 oz in any clean container and then transfer it to the Blackstone container when you get it.

SJFGTO · 06-21-2021, 07:22 AM

6 quarts did not hurt anything. But I would drain and refill. As mentioned I would not trust the dealership to have even put the correct oil in your car.

06-20-2021, 10:47 AM	#1
Filiper Drives: 2019 zl1 1le Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Washington, MI Posts: 31	Low Oil Hi All, Looking for advice. I recently had my cars oil changed a few days ago at a dealer close to me. Everything seemed fine as I drove off and picked up my niece about 20 miles away. The following day, when I turned the car on I was presented with a low oil message, which I thought was odd. I immediately shut the car off and checked the oil level. To my surprise, the dip stick was dry. The following day I went to have a friendly conversation with the dealer and it turns out they put 6 quarts of oil in my ZL1. My question is, should I be concerned of any damage? Best Regards, Eric

06-20-2021, 11:02 AM	#3
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,616 View My Garage	They must have gone with the 6-banger oil capacity, which is a significant goof indeed. Along with what Scottyz said, I always check the invoice, it has to say filter + 10 qts of oil—if not, you have a standing and, provided the dealer is worth their salt, you should be given some small compensation for the risk and your inconvenience. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

06-20-2021, 01:54 PM	#10
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	No not really but I would make sure it had 10 quarts in it from now on if you have it changed by a dealership. That’s the main reason I change the oil in my Camaro to avoid this type of issue. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

06-21-2021, 07:22 AM	#14
SJFGTO Oh Oh it's Friday Night! Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Nightfall Gray Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Walton Woods Posts: 1,061	6 quarts did not hurt anything. But I would drain and refill. As mentioned I would not trust the dealership to have even put the correct oil in your car. __________________ 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE NFG; ARH 2” headers, catless mids, ARH full exhaust, Lingenfelter 18% lower pulley, ATI Harmonic Balancer, Roto-fab CAI, EE-catch can, TM ported TB, NX Lid, BMR strut tower brace. Aeroforce dual pod interceptor gauges. Tuned by Vengeance Racing!!! 644 HP @ 6250 rpm / 689 trq @ 3660 rpm Four that wanna own me Two that wanna stone me One says she's a friend of mine...

06-20-2021, 10:52 AM	#2
Scottyz 2019 ZL1 1LE MY GOON Drives: 1980 Z28 Big Red. Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Stoney Creek Posts: 2,061	I think you will be fine. That’s a bad blunder by the dealer. Always check your oil level after an oil change or be there when they check and show you the dipstick.

06-20-2021, 11:33 AM	#5
Wierd Harold Drives: 2017 2lt rs Join Date: May 2017 Location: Ontario canada Posts: 332	My next thought would be what kind of oil did they put in it.

06-20-2021, 12:04 PM	#6
Crushed 1LE Drives: 2022 ZL1(FEA suspension) Rapid Blue Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Chemainus BC, Canada Posts: 489	So they just dump 6 in and call it a day? What happened to checking the dip stick? I'd be screaming blue murder. Call. GM CS - should be ashamed of themselves. Curious.... What does a LT1 call for? 6? If so, they probably also put in the wrong type of oil thinking it was an LT1.

06-20-2021, 01:42 PM	#9
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 815	Car should be fine. But I would make sure that this is documented just in case the car has any problems in the future. As for how this can happen, most dealerships have an automatic dispensing machine for oil. They dial in the make, model, and engine and it dispenses the proper amount. This is also why they wouldn't check the dipstick. But ANY GOOD MECHANIC will always check. But they obviously didn't bother to put in the correct info for the dispensing machine. So I hope you learned your lesson to NEVER TRUST ANY DEALERSHIP. Check your car thoroughly before you leave. And if at all possible, do as much of your own maintenance yourself. Could you share what dealership this was so people can avoid it? I mean if they can't get a freaking oil change right.

06-20-2021, 02:26 PM	#11
Vigilante375 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,370	I would make the dealer print out a statement stating that they messed up so that if you had an issuein the future then you'd have something showing why. Id have them drain and refill. Because who knows if they actually put in the correct fluid. If they give you and pushback, call GM customer service and tell them you're doing so.

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