3.8 Oil Level on New Genesis Shows High

[TJPark01]

2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS
This is not thinking with your dipstick Jimmy...
I want to like this car, but like most American cars, I'm not a buyer yet.

 

[mrgenesis2009]

The regional service and parts district manager just called me this evening. He said that he saw my file and happen to be in Orlando so he wanted to call me personally. He basically indirectly acknowledged that it would be advisable to start with 4.5 and only add more if necessary. He was trying to tell me that the 5.5 qts was for a bone dry engine. He thought I was looking at just the owners manual. Then I told him I was reading all the measurements from the service manual and I told him to join me there so he could also see the misprint in the conversion for the 3.8 2009 version. Anyway, he emphasized that I do not have to take it to the dealership for them to honor the warranty as long as I keep a log of the oil changes (which I do). I'm very much leaning to my original suspicion that 4.5 or so qts is the amount needed. The dip stick definitely reads perfect with 4.5 and after a 5 minute wait. I'm still not sure if I'll keep going to the dealership or go back to doing it myself. Doing it myself would be my preference always. I still have a while to go before my next oil change so we'll see.

Ben

 

[Mark_888]

The regional service and parts district manager just called me this evening. He said that he saw my file and happen to be in Orlando so he wanted to call me personally. He basically indirectly acknowledged that it would be advisable to start with 4.5 and only add more if necessary. He was trying to tell me that the 5.5 qts was for a bone dry engine.

Claiming that the 5.5 qt. spec is for a "bone dry" engine is pure BS. Here is the info from the owners manual for the 3.8L engine:

Engine oil (drain and refill) - 5.49 US qt. (5.2 l)

Drain and refill does not mean "bone dry." The service manual shows higher amounts for the "oil pan", and "total amount" of oil (which is probably the "bone dry" amount) for the 3.8L. If the correct amount for drain and refill is 4.5 qts, then they need to issue a TSB and admit they made a mistake in the owners manual.

I guess that the manager you talked to thinks Hyundai customers are idiots and will believe anything they are told. This attitude must come from years of selling cars to first-time buyers, naive customers, or those otherwise intellectually challenged. This is why I have said before that the average Hyundai employee (dealer or corporate) is noticeably "lower-class" than even the average Honda or Toyota employee (not to mention Acura or Lexus employees).

Someone at HMA needs to contact the engineers in Korea and get to the bottom of this issue instead of trying to BS their way out of it.

 

[mrgenesis2009]

I agree that they think they can tell anyone anything and we all should believe. It's like they are trying to tell me the sky is brown. I argue that it isn't and they come back with the same answer. After talking with this guy for a while I got the impression he wasn't going to really address the problem and just told me what I wanted to hear. I think I have done my share of homework on this issue and when I'm told 2 + 2 = 5 it is hard to give them any credibility. Of course if they were to admit that they made a mistake and put it in print a lot of people are going to be upset and want an engine overhaul or at least an inspection especially if they are already at higher mileage. That could get somewhat expensive.

They are going to bury this problem to avoid any substantial cost and since it is very unlikely that this would turn into a safety issue, they'll just deal with it on a case by case basis I'm sure.

My two cents; keep detailed records of your oil changes (whether you do them yourself or not). If any problem arise from advanced engine wear due to overfill make sure they understand that you are aware of this issue and have documentation. I've already printed this thread and another one where we talk about the high oil level. Make a complaint to their service number. I already have documentation from Hyundai that states they verified that oil is full at 4.5 qts at a dealership.

My complaint is only about this oil issue and how Hyundai is handling it. I love my car and hope it can provide me with years of trouble free service. That is why I'm so concerned about the oil level.

 

[Gabe]

Just did my oil change on Tuesday and decided to refill my oil with 5 qts.

I checked the level on the dip stick and it shows it to be right above the Full mark.

I did read this whole thread before I changed my oil and decided to split the difference between the 4.5 qt fill and what the manual states at 5.5 qts.

Has anybody heard anything else on this issue? Whether or not they put in the wrong dip stick, or just misstated how much the drain and refill is suppose to be?

There hasn't been any activity on this thread for a while and wanted to revise it to maybe get some updates from the OP on the matter or someone else who maybe has more info on this issue?

 

[Mark_888]

I haven't heard or seen anything new on this. People who have contacted HMA via email or phone got "brush-off" answers.

 

[Gabe]

Thanks,

I hope one of these days we get a clear answer on this issue?

Until then I will continue to do my own oil changes and put in 5 qts unless I hear confirmation from Hyundai on something different?

 

[Mark_888]

Thanks,

I hope one of these days we get a clear answer on this issue?

Until then I will continue to do my own oil changes and put in 5 qts unless I hear confirmation from Hyundai on something different?

I have given up on HMA providing an answer. My dealer is clueless.

Every once in a while I think that I have stumbled on to real luxury car at a bargain price with my Genesis, but then my interaction HMA and dealer employees reminds me that they are way below even the average Toyota or Honda employee, and that dealing with Hyundai employees makes me feel ashamed to drive a Hyundai.

I think I will just go with 5 quarts of full synthetic (which is convenient anyway since it comes in very reasonably priced 5 quart containers at Wal-Mart).

 

[mrgenesis2009]

I have found that 5 qts is just a tad above full on my Genny and as Mark said the Walmart 5 qts jugs of oil are a good deal. I buy the 5 qts jugs of Mobil 1 at Walmart. I gave up on HMA ever really providing an answer to all my inquiries about the actual oil level. I got different answers everytime and it all seems to be in line with not contradiciting what the manual says regardless if it is wrong. Hyundai has stepped up their build quality but now the should focus on the service.

 

[ASHDUMP]

The dipstick don't lie!

Keep an extra quart in the trunk and check the oil level periodically.

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[Mark_888]

The dipstick don't lie!

There is one major problem with your thinking. Not only does the manual say to add 5.49 US quarts, but the factory fill was at least 1/2 quart over the fill line on the dipstick (on almost everyone's V6, not just mine).

Coupled to above facts is that there is a top mounted oil filter that drains back into the crankcase when the engine is shut off (I know because I have change the filter several times).

 

[JimInNashville]

Let me say that, like every car I ever purchased, I checked the dipstick immediately after returning home. It showed a half quart above full, and still does 2000 miles later.

Obviously, you can drive the car with the oil level showing a half quart over without hurting it, and that is where I'm going to keep it.