I have a 2008 HHR with a 2.2 auto, when I changed the oil the owners manual states that it takes 5 quarts. I put in 5 quarts of AMSOIL and the dipstick shows that there is to much oil. The ironic thing is my wife drives a 2008 Malibu with a 2.4 and when I change the oil and put in 5 quarts the same thing happens. I find that I need to only put about 4 and 2/3 quarts. Just wondering if anyone else is finding the same thing.

 

Same for my 06 2.4. Not much more than 4 and half quarts.

 

When I drain mine, I refill with the 5 qt jug of M1. It's to the full line each time, never over.

Sounds like your not getting a full drain.

 

Check the oil containers....are they quarts or liters...?

 

Owner's manual states a 5 qt capacity for the 2.0 in the SS too. When you drain the oil, make sure to let it all drain out before putting in new oil (duh, lol). If you don't change the oil filter along with the engine oil every time, remember that holds on average about 1/2qt of oil too. Another thing is to recheck the oil level after it's been lowered again if you've got it on jackstands (or a ramp for example) as the angle it's on WILL read incorrectly. Just a few FYI pointers to try to help you out.

Later
Allex

 

Too many people with way too much time here...

Make sure that, after a change, you run the car, then let it sit a bit, then check again. The filter itself will hold some oil.

Maybe GM does know something (other than running a viable business!) about how much oil an engine should hold.

Then, again, they may have fired all the "oil level" engineers and subcontracted that to some vo-tech high school class.

 

 

I have been changing my oil for for more years than I care to admit. When I drain either car I wait until the oil is dripping out of the drain hole and then I put the plug in and finish. I have used Amsoil for many years and have not had any problems with my other cars. I just wonder if I should put in 5 quarts and be done with it or trust the dipstick and only put in 4 2/3 quarts. It sounds like others have the same issues could the dipstick not be the right length? It just seams strange that my wife's 2.4 and my 2.2 have the same issues both being 2008 .

 

If the factory says five quarts, put five quarts in it. Dipsticks have certainly been known to lack accuracy. I always consider them to be a guide, certainly not deadly accuraate.

 

When draining the pan, I first remove the dip stick, & then the oil filter.
This imo gives every chance to get it all out..

But I'm sure ya'll are doing that anyhow..