Oil level gauge questions

[Dale B]

I have a new 2024 f150 RCSB 5.0, 4x4 and would like to know more about the oil level gauge. When and how does the gauge check the oil level?
I have had vehicles with oil level readings, but you had to request the level prior to start up or in the case of dry sump systems, with the engine running.
How accurate is the gauge? I found it helpful at the first oil change. It is difficult for me to read the dipstick with fresh oil and putting in 7.75 quarts from 5 quart jugs is a guessing game for sure.

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[Je1279]

My understanding is that the digital oil pressure gauge only has three positions. Assuming that the pump is working properly, the first is low or no oil, second is roughly the correct amount of oil, and the third is too much oil.

 

[Dale B]

My understanding is that the digital oil pressure gauge only has three positions. First is low or no oil, second is roughly the correct amount of oil, and the third is too much oil.

I now feel rather foolish. I had thought that the gage was an oil level gauge and now realize that it is an oil pressure gauge.
I have had vehicles that you could check the oil level on the dash prior to start up and had thought that Ford had come up with a dash gauge for that purpose. Just wishful thinking I guess.

 

[Je1279]

I now feel rather foolish. I had thought that the gage was an oil level gauge and now realize that it is an oil pressure gauge.
I have had vehicles that you could check the oil level on the dash prior to start up and had thought that Ford had come up with a dash gauge for that purpose. Just wishful thinking I guess.

No worries. I'm old fashioned and actually prefer the dipstick as opposed to the systems that BMW and Mercedes currently use.

 

[Natetroknot]

Go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and duck into the paint department. There you’ll find plastic containers marked in various different measurement levels, from quart sized to 2.5 quart sized. The mL markings are particularly useful. Every tenth of a quart is 94.6 mL. You can get things much more accurate for oil changes using 5 quart jugs if you measure out the odd amounts using these containers.

 

[Dale B]

No worries. I'm old fashioned and actually prefer the dipstick as opposed to the systems that BMW and Mercedes currently use.

I double check the gages with the dipstick in my other cars. It’s pretty easy, just pop the hood and pull the dipstick. In my F150, I have to go get the stepladder.

 

[Dale B]

Go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and duck into the paint department. There you’ll find plastic containers marked in various different measurement levels, from quart sized to 2.5 quart sized. The mL markings are particularly useful. Every tenth of a quart is 94.6 mL. You can get things much more accurate for oil changes using 5 quart jugs if you measure out the odd amounts using these containers.

I usually just guesstimate low, crank it up, check for leaks, shut it down, and then check the dipstick after I put everything away. I don’t worry if it isn’t completely up to full.

 

[Natetroknot]

I usually just guesstimate low, crank it up, check for leaks, shut it down, and then check the dipstick after I put everything away. I don’t worry if it isn’t completely up to full.

Right on, Dale, not an exact science and there is a lot of grey area! I’m a “let it drain a while and fill up with what the spec says and never check the dipstick kind of guy”

Cheers

 

[Calson]

With a new vehicle it is a good idea to check the levels for the fluids (transmission, brake fluid, and coolant) as the dealer prep person can make mistakes. I have had two vehicles where the ATF level was low by half a quart. The transmission took an x.x quarts and the fluid comes in 1 qt containers and the dealer's prep person did not want to use part of a can.

 

[Dale B]

With a new vehicle it is a good idea to check the levels for the fluids (transmission, brake fluid, and coolant) as the dealer prep person can make mistakes. I have had two vehicles where the ATF level was low by half a quart. The transmission took an x.x quarts and the fluid comes in 1 qt containers and the dealer's prep person did not want to use part of a can.

I checked the levels in mine when I got it home from the dealer and found the oil level about a third of a quart below the full mark. It was well within the acceptable range so I left it, knowing that I was going to charge it at a thousand miles. It could have also been that I checked it about fifteen minutes after shut down.

 

[UGADawg96]

With a new vehicle it is a good idea to check the levels for the fluids (transmission, brake fluid, and coolant) as the dealer prep person can make mistakes. I have had two vehicles where the ATF level was low by half a quart. The transmission took an x.x quarts and the fluid comes in 1 qt containers and the dealer's prep person did not want to use part of a can.

Are you really suggesting that the factories that build new vehicles drive around all these new vehicles for multiple miles without setting fluid levels to a spec before transport and then all these dealer part time prep staffs around the country who can't even remove transport stickers are expected to put fluids in other than gasoline ? Really ?

All the prep people do is fill up the gasoline and wash the bugs off.

 

[LoneWolf31]

I have a new 2024 3.5 ecoboost and Ive noticed the oil gauge only goes a quarter of the way up to the first tick mark. I did check the oil and its about three quarters of the way up into the acceptable range of the dip stick. Is this normal or is this a sign of a weak oil pump or faulty sensor. on my 2012 the gauge is actually slightly over the halfway mark so to me the gauge on my 24 F-150 just seems off.

 

[Dale B]

I have a new 2024 3.5 ecoboost and Ive noticed the oil gauge only goes a quarter of the way up to the first tick mark. I did check the oil and its about three quarters of the way up into the acceptable range of the dip stick. Is this normal or is this a sign of a weak oil pump or faulty sensor. on my 2012 the gauge is actually slightly over the halfway mark so to me the gauge on my 24 F-150 just seems off.

My 2024 5.0 acts the same way. The oil pressure gauge is either at one third or zero if the engine is at full stop. I assume that it is the result of 5W oil. I live in Georgia and the truck has never experienced freezing temperatures and has never run hot. So far the gauge has been useless, but I guess that is a good thing.
My truck was about a quarter of a quart below full from the factory as well.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

My 2024 5.0 acts the same way. The oil pressure gauge is either at one third or zero if the engine is at full stop. I assume that it is the result of 5W oil. I live in Georgia and the truck has never experienced freezing temperatures and has never run hot. So far the gauge has been useless, but I guess that is a good thing.
My truck was about a quarter of a quart below full from the factory as well.

Interesting.

The oil pressure gauge in my 24 Powerboost actually moves with engine rpm increase and decrease.

The oil level on mine was spot on. If your oil level was that low, it tells me your Dealer is shit. They pencil whipped the pre delivery inspection.

 

[Dale B]

Interesting.

The oil pressure gauge in my 24 Powerboost actually moves with engine rpm increase and decrease.

The oil level on mine was spot on. If your oil level was that low, it tells me your Dealer is shit. They pencil whipped the pre delivery inspection.

I stand corrected. I just went out and cranked mine up and tacked it up past 3K and the oil pressure gauge did move. I seldom have a need to get my 5.0 above 3K, certainly not until oil temp gets up to about 195. It’s good to know that the gauge is accurate.
As to the oil level being about a quarter quart low at delivery, yes it bothered me but I have learned not to get upset about the small stuff.
I haven’t taken the truck back to the dealer for service until yesterday. I took it in for the 10K inspection. Everything was fine but I asked them about the tire rotation and they didn’t do it. They said that they do that with the oil change.
I do the oil changes myself.

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