According to the spec sheet put out by DevilYellow it will be 8.9 quarts

Is this correct?

According to the spec sheet put out by DevilYellow it will be 8.9 quarts

Is this correct?
I don't know but damn, that's alot of oil.

O joy $90 M1 oil changes.lol

Does that mean you don't have to change oil for 20,000 miles? 9qts is a lot of oil to change.

AFM/DOD (Now known as active fuel management) = needs more oil???

or Typo?

That is a lot. Hell, the Northstar (4.6L) takes 7.5 quarts.

Holy crap! 8.9 quarts?!

thats a lot. i think my friends s4 is like that (i know its really high) bc the engine burns a lot of oil in general

there is no way thats correct, seems like way too much

Maybe it goes along with the new longer "Recomended" oil change based on the Oil Life System. The average person won't check their oil as often and the G8 is more for the common public than the GTO was. Maybe this large capacity will be to make sure they have enough oil to last till the oil life system says to change it. GM's also have longer warranty's now so they might be playing it a little safe with that also.:soapbox:

Maybe it goes along with the new longer "Recomended" oil change based on the Oil Life System. The average person won't check their oil as often and the G8 is more for the common public than the GTO was. Maybe this large capacity will be to make sure they have enough oil to last till the oil life system says to change it. GM's also have longer warranty's now so they might be playing it a little safe with that also.:soapbox:
I guess that's a possibility, people are pretty stupid.

damn thats alot of oil lol

According to the spec sheet put out by DevilYellow it will be 8.9 quarts

Is this correct?

Are we sure this isn't the metric capacity... there are quite a few specs in the 2004 GTO manual that they changed the units to SAE but left the number the same as the metric equivalent...:monkee:

That could make sense. 8.9L ~ 7.8 quarts.

Are we sure this isn't the metric capacity... there are quite a few specs in the 2004 GTO manual that they changed the units to SAE but left the number the same as the metric equivalent...:monkee:

Good point.

Are we sure this isn't the metric capacity... there are quite a few specs in the 2004 GTO manual that they changed the units to SAE but left the number the same as the metric equivalent...:monkee:

Yes, it has liters and quarts listed in the press release.

That could make sense. 8.9L ~ 7.8 quarts.

1 quart= .946 liter, so the quart number should be larger than the liter number.

there is no way thats correct, seems like way too much

I agree - that is way too much oil. I always thought the 6qt that my 4.6L GT took was a lot :bomb:

Maybe it goes along with the new longer "Recomended" oil change based on the Oil Life System. The average person won't check their oil as often and the G8 is more for the common public than the GTO was. Maybe this large capacity will be to make sure they have enough oil to last till the oil life system says to change it. GM's also have longer warranty's now so they might be playing it a little safe with that also.:soapbox:

It has nothing to do with the general public's lack of maintanence skills.

Oil serves 4 purposes, only one of which is lubrication. It also acts as a cooling mechanism, cushioning mechanism, and a cleaning mechanism. Yea, oil has a detergent and anti-foaming component to them, betcha didn't know that.

As mentioned, it is most likely related to the oiling needs for AFM when the engine isn't running on all 8 cylinders.

Pinski, your GT als had an OHC setup. Most OHC setups require more oil so that the cams (which aren't in the engine block itself) maintain sufficient oil for their needs while still having enough oil in the sump.

I've had several DOHC GM V6's/I6's that take more than my LSx motor does. The number of cylinders or displacement isn't all that much an important factor in how much oil you need. Surface area is.

Pinski, your GT als had an OHC setup. Most OHC setups require more oil so that the cams (which aren't in the engine block itself) maintain sufficient oil for their needs while still having enough oil in the sump.

I've had several DOHC GM V6's/I6's that take more than my LSx motor does. The number of cylinders or displacement isn't all that much an important factor in how much oil you need. Surface area is.

Good point, I didn't even think of that. That's one thing about the little 4.6, since it has that OHC setup it makes it look bigger than it actually is! :laugh:

I think Wikipedia shed some light on the issue for me:

The electronics side was improved greatly with the introductions of Electronic Throttle Control, electronically controlled transmissions, transient engine and transmission controls, engine emissions controls, and vastly increased computing power. A solenoid control valve assembly integrated into the engine valley cover contains solenoid valves that provide a pressurized oil signal to specially designed hydraulic roller lifters provided by Eaton Corp. and Delphi. These lifters disable and re-enable exhaust and intake valve operation to deactivate and reactivate engine cylinders[1]. Unlike the first generation system, only half of the cylinders can be deactivated. It is notable that the second generation system uses engine oil to hydraulically modulate engine valve function. As a result, the system is dependent upon the quality of the oil in the engine. As anti-foaming agents in engine oil are depleted, air may become entrained or dissolve in the oil, delaying the timing of hydraulic control signals. Similarly engine oil viscosity and cleanliness is a factor. Use of the incorrect oil type, i.e. SAE 20W40 instead of SAE 5W20, or the failure to change engine oil at factory recommended intervals can also significantly impair system performance.

The extra oil will be used in the AFM system, so it'll need to last longer and fill more duties.

I run Mobil 1 in all of my vechicles and extend the oil changes out. I run the oil for about 15,000 miles changing the filter at about 7,500 and adding another quart.................

FYI - I have a 3.0 liter I6 that takes 6.9qts of synthetic oil, so the numbers are not that surprising.

My friend's 2001 540i takes 8qts, so for a 6.0L engine, 8.6 is right in line (or even low comparitively)

yeah 8.0 quarts is alot, but i guess i'm already used to it. my 2.3 turbo takes 7.1 qts to its max. i own a mazdaspeed 6 with a balance shaft delete kit.

My Z06 has a dry sump and takes 8 quarts. I can not imagine this motor takes that many. I bet it is 6 qts. That is what an LS2 in an 06 takes. Why would it take more in the G8?

Straight from the G8 owners manual:

Engine Oil with Filter

3.6L V6 Engine
7.1 qt
6.7 L

6.0L V8 Engine
8.8 qt
8.3 L

Straight from the G8 owners manual:

Engine Oil with Filter

3.6L V6 Engine
7.1 qt
6.7 L

6.0L V8 Engine
8.8 qt
8.3 LAnd how would you happen to have your hands on a G8 owner's manual may I ask?:quoties:

Or is that the sheet posted on this site for tid bits on the G8 (getting to know your g8)?

And how would you happen to have your hands on a G8 owner's manual may I ask?:quoties:

Or is that the sheet posted on this site for tid bits on the G8 (getting to know your g8)?

I have lots of crazy stuff ;)

Straight from the G8 owners manual:

Engine Oil with Filter

6.0L V8 Engine
8.8 qt
8.3 L

Damn. I usually put 7 quts. in my GTO. I'd imagine there is a statement like "Add xxx quarts for racing or performance driving"?

And how would you happen to have your hands on a G8 owner's manual may I ask?:quoties:

You must be new here. Chris is like the Yoda of GM info that isn't spoon-fed to you by GM themselves. :gr_jest:

BTW Chris, when is your G8 due? ;)

Damn. I usually put 7 quts. in my GTO. I'd imagine there is a statement like "Add xxx quarts for racing or performance driving"?



You must be new here. Chris is like the Yoda of GM info that isn't spoon-fed to you by GM themselves. :gr_jest:

BTW Chris, when is your G8 due? ;)

Shop G8 is I believe March 1stish if all goes well, my personal G8 wont be till later this year.

So, you're waiting for the GXP for you. :popcorn2:

Man 8.8 Qts... I guess self oil changes will no longer be cheaper with the G8 :p hehehe...

Oh well, I'll still get Synthetic and do it myself ;)

Man 8.8 Qts... I guess self oil changes will no longer be cheaper with the G8 :p hehehe...

Oh well, I'll still get Synthetic and do it myself ;)

GTO owners are used to expensive oil changes. :p It's just the extra 2 quarts. Another $10. Ouch.

Extra 4.8 for me hehe. Although I was expecting it... I down own a V8 right now hehe...

So, you're waiting for the GXP for you. :popcorn2:

Yup that was the plan all along ;)

Yup that was the plan all along ;)

So, what is the plan? And I don't mean your plan. ;)

Ya know, despite the 8.8 Qts... At least it looks like this car is gonna be a massively easy oil change. The oil filter right in the vicinity of the drain plug, vertical mount. Although, i gotta say, I prefer horizontal mounted filters more-so like in my sister's Saab. The oil that comes out as I begin to remove it doesnt spill over the side. Rather it simply drips into the pan below.

Yes, I'm reviving an old thread. Merely because I got my first oil change today (just over 5k miles) and I had no idea the G8 took so much oil.

The tech at my oil change facility (not the dealer) put in 5 quarts, tested it, put in another 2, tested it again, and couldn't believe it. I was concerned he was doing it wrong, until I looked up the capacity on my cell phone. It listed, and took, 9 quarts of Castrol full synthetic.

At least the extra time gave the techs at Meineke something to look at. All of them were inspecting the car top to bottom and asking me questions. They'd never seen one in person before. Apparently the customer in the other bay was impressed as well, as he left without getting the tire rotation he paid for on his Focus zx3, and he kept looking over at the G8 as well.

When it was all said and done, $101 for the oil change. If it keeps the car running like new for 100k miles, that price will be well worth it.

O joy $90 M1 oil changes.lol
Get M1 from Costco. Will cost low $50 w/filter for do-it-yourselfer.

OPEC determines the oil capacity of American cars.

It is almost 9qts., does anyone ever read the owners manual any more, or if you change your own oil check the dipstick after filling to see where you are at before you fire it up!! WTF
this has been brought up many times in the short period I have been here, read the owners manual

I believe the GXP manual says 8 qts.... so the DOD must take almost a quart more. I believe my Grand Prix GXP requires more oil then non DOD 5.3.
LJ

Watch the dealership... they printed off information when they did mine showing a little over 7 quarts and didn't bother checking the stick to see it was still a quart low.

My Z06 has a dry sump and takes 8 quarts. I can not imagine this motor takes that many. I bet it is 6 qts.


I'll take that bet. Pink slips? :)

It is almost 9qts., does anyone ever read the owners manual any more, or if you change your own oil check the dipstick after filling to see where you are at before you fire it up!! WTF
this has been brought up many times in the short period I have been here, read the owners manual

First, the new manuals say 8.0 qts for the 6 & 6.2L engines.

Second, you need to run the engine and let the oil circulate after putting in the oil, then cut off the engine and wait a few minutes to get a true reading of your oil level.

no way thats correct, seems like way too much

Way.

I got my oil changed at the dealership and they only put 6. They figured it held the same as the 6.0 that are in the trucks. Mine was the first G8 GT that they changed.

The downloadable pdf owners manual from Pontiac.com states 8.8 qts. The one that came with the car states 8.0 on the same page. Would be nice to know which one is correct. Did they change the oil pans?

When I change mine it takes about 8.8 qts.

So........ I'm still wondering. My GT has a build date of 11/09.
Owners manual (glovebox) states 8.0 for both the 6.0 and 6.2. Mine's
a CPO car, oil is fresh, but above the lines on the stick. Was pan changed
for later models, could dipstick be wrong calibration? How much does mine hold, I wonder.....
Any thoughts???????
Thanks!

Mine is dead-on 8.8 qts; not sure how you tell by looking at the oil pan which one you have...I use the dpistick as my guide

Apparently the pans are the same part number. Go with the dipstick, which likely agrees with your owner's manual.

So........ I'm still wondering. My GT has a build date of 11/09.
Owners manual (glovebox) states 8.0 for both the 6.0 and 6.2. Mine's
a CPO car, oil is fresh, but above the lines on the stick. Was pan changed
for later models, could dipstick be wrong calibration? How much does mine hold, I wonder.....
Any thoughts???????
Thanks!

No G8 has a Build Date of 11/09. :slap:
Nine (9) full quarts is dead on my upper full line on the dipstick. :driving:

I would just like to say, "Holy cow... old thread!"

I stand corrected. Build was 11/08.
That's what I get for no glasses.
Getting old is not for the weak...

Since there seems like there's always been some confusion and variances between models, why not do a "calibration oil change" for your particular car. Drain all the oil, remove the old oil filter and put on a new one, then put in 8 quarts of fresh oil and start the engine. Let the oil circulate for a few minutes and then shut off the engine and let the oil drain back into the oil pan. Now check the dipstick and see how much oil you need to add to reach between the fill marks. Fill it to where you like between the marks, and then see how much oil you put in total. That's your calibrated fill for your particular car.

Holy old thread revival batman!

Since there seems like there's always been some confusion and variances between models, why not do a "calibration oil change" for your particular car. Drain all the oil, remove the old oil filter and put on a new one, then put in 8 quarts of fresh oil and start the engine. Let the oil circulate for a few minutes and then shut off the engine and let the oil drain back into the oil pan. Now check the dipstick and see how much oil you need to add to reach between the fill marks. Fill it to where you like between the marks, and then see how much oil you put in total. That's your calibrated fill for your particular car.
That's what I do, and it's the proper way to get the correct level on ALL cars.

I thought the owners manual shows 8.8 qts. I always dumped in 8 qts. And 25 ozs. In my gt. Put the oil level right on the full mark. The gxp shows 8 qts. , but it takes 8 and 1/2 to bring it up to the full mark.

For 09.5, it shows 8.0 for GT and GXP.

What the heck's going on here am I on crack or are G8 owners asking about how much oil their car should take and then are surprised it need 8.8-8.9 quarts every change???

How much have you been putting in?

Of course it takes that much its stated in the owner's manual, who the heck knows why so much my guess is to keep the more delicate DOD cam/valve parts well lubricated AND a deep oil pan is good if you were to drive a car competitively bc under hard cornering G's your engine can become oil depraved

Better be stocking up, boys. The new 5.0 Mustang engine holds 8 quarts, too, and you know how those Fords burn oil!

or leak it.......
But seriously, (and hate to admit it) we have a Ranger that will probably live forever.......

definitely adding a few pounds of weight.....

Oil: 8.8 quarts
Gas: 19.3 gallons
Coolant: 11.6 quarts
Tranny: 12.4 quarts
Differential: 1.2 quarts

Didyou all not read yer owner's manual or receive the free oil change for a year from GM?

It seems that the oil capacity on some of the L76 V8's is different than others and doesn't correspond to what the owners manual indicates.

Didyou all not read yer owner's manual or receive the free oil change for a year from GM?

I haven't gotten any emails or mailings about free maintenance.

I learned my lesson... don't really have the time (or place) to change my own so I go to the same place for all my cars. They've been real good for many years to us without any complaints or problems. BUT (mistakes eventually happen)... took my 2009 G8 GT in for first oil change at a little over 5000 miles a few months ago... Got the CHECK OIL indicator this weekend and pulled it into the garage, let it set for a few minutes, checked the level, and WOW.. it was just below the minimum... I checked the records from the oil change and noticed that they only showed a QTY of 5 on the Mobil 1. Of course, I immediately took it to the closest location and had it changed out and explicitely explained it takes 8.8 qts.. No more Check Oil light (so far)...

The moral of the story.. If you don't change your own oil, CHECK OTHER PEOPLES WORK!!!

I learned my lesson... don't really have the time (or place) to change my own so I go to the same place for all my cars. They've been real good for many years to us without any complaints or problems. BUT (mistakes eventually happen)... took my 2009 G8 GT in for first oil change at a little over 5000 miles a few months ago... Got the CHECK OIL indicator this weekend and pulled it into the garage, let it set for a few minutes, checked the level, and WOW.. it was just below the minimum... I checked the records from the oil change and noticed that they only showed a QTY of 5 on the Mobil 1. Of course, I immediately took it to the closest location and had it changed out and explicitely explained it takes 8.8 qts.. No more Check Oil light (so far)...

The moral of the story.. If you don't change your own oil, CHECK OTHER PEOPLES WORK!!!

The oil light has nothing at all to do with how much oil is in the engine. You can reset that light at will.

Yes it does, it comes on when the oil level is low.

Yes it does, it comes on when the oil level is low.


You may be surprised by this but....no it doesn't.

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have been able to even see oil on the dipstick if it were three quarts low. Here's my theory:

They put in five quarts, added until it showed up on the dipstick, and only charged for five. They probably forgot to reset the oil life monitor, and that's why it went off only after a few months.

So let this be a lesson. Check your oil level often. Especially after an oil change.

Update: Did it say to check oil, or to change it?

You may be surprised by this but....no it doesn't.

Yes it does. The L76 has an oil level sensor.

Thank you Mr Didgers. He's not talking about the oil life monitor guys.

Yes it does. The L76 has an oil level sensor.

Thank you Mr Didgers. He's not talking about the oil life monitor guys.

Hmm, never seen this one. Different indicator light on the dash then?

Hmm, never seen this one. Different indicator light on the dash then?

Different indicator message from the DIC, yes.

Different indicator message from the DIC, yes.

Guess the fact that I change my own oil would preclude me from being in such an unfortunate situation that I would have the displeasure of ever witnessing said indicator.

;)

Just look at the oil pan through the passenger wheel well, and you'll see the sensor. The oil level is supposed to be below that point before tripping.

Just look at the oil pan through the passenger wheel well, and you'll see the sensor. The oil level is supposed to be below that point before tripping.


good to know!
Thanks!

Right from the owners manual (4-28 Instruments and Controls)
The Check Oil DIC is triggered by low oil level or pressure...

Check Oil
This message is displayed if the oil
pressure or oil level is low. Stop
when safe, turn off the engine and
check the engine oil level. See
Engine Oil on page 9-8. Do not run
the engine when this warning is
illuminated. If the oil level is normal,
have the system checked at your
dealer/retailer.
You can press enter to
acknowledge that you received the
message, but Check Oil will
continue to appear in the bottom of
the DIC display until the vehicle
has been serviced.

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have been able to even see oil on the dipstick if it were three quarts low. Here's my theory:

They put in five quarts, added until it showed up on the dipstick, and only charged for five. They probably forgot to reset the oil life monitor, and that's why it went off only after a few months.

So let this be a lesson. Check your oil level often. Especially after an oil change.

Update: Did it say to check oil, or to change it?


Said Check OIL.. displayed in DIC...
and my oil life monitor was still at 58%..

According to the spec sheet put out by DevilYellow it will be 8.9 quarts

Is this correct?

Yes, the L76 6.0 L take that much oil. GM calls it extended change interval to make it sound high tech???? Read the book and set your oil change sensor. I'm old school and just change my own oil every 6K and use only synthetic. I own 5 cars with 175K, 150K, 75K, 75K and 30K. Yes, that's probably overkill. I know. The engines on all 5 use no oil, no smoking so I will keep doing what I've done.

If it works for you, keep doing it.

Said Check OIL.. displayed in DIC...
and my oil life monitor was still at 58%..

Did it say Check Oil when you started up, or while you were driving?

If it was during start up, it was the oil level sensor that caught it and you should be safe.

If it was during driving, it was probably the oil pressure sensor. This could be bad, because that could mean you were sucking air. Please, just tell me you weren't going through a long tight turn at the time.

Loss of oil (pressure) is really bad for an engine. Possible imminent catastrophic failure every time the engine sucks air through the pickup tube. I can still see all those small blocks, with varying degrees of "non-conforming events".

Either way, I'd get really pissed off at the place that did the oil change. You paid them to do that, so you really shouldn't have to double check their work. Just like Ron White shouldn't have had to check the lug nuts on his van pulling out of Sears Automotive.

I would think the low level light will come on before the level gets below the oil pickup.

I would think the low level light will come on before the level gets below the oil pickup.

Depends on the driving involved. A long tight turn can put a lot of oil in one of the heads and starve the pickup tube.

Watch this video of some G force simulation on a Porsche engine. You'll see a few instances where the engine just sits tilted for a few seconds. If that engine were three quarts low on oil to begin with, something would have gone very wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfuleS9rnzc

p.s. GM has a similar contraption, and I got to run an engine on it.

That's pretty neat. I've built test fixtures for life testing products but nothing on that scale.

What kind of life testing?

I worked in the Tool & Model shop for an electrical switch company and the fixtures I built were used to life cycle their switch products. They made micro switches and automotive switches, as in power door/mirror/seat switches for GM and Ford. I also made prototype switches for product development and tooling to manufacture the switches.

well i know for sure the v6 g8 takes 7qts. just changed it last weekend.

Did it say Check Oil when you started up, or while you were driving?

If it was during start up, it was the oil level sensor that caught it and you should be safe.

If it was during driving, it was probably the oil pressure sensor. This could be bad, because that could mean you were sucking air. Please, just tell me you weren't going through a long tight turn at the time.

Loss of oil (pressure) is really bad for an engine. Possible imminent catastrophic failure every time the engine sucks air through the pickup tube. I can still see all those small blocks, with varying degrees of "non-conforming events".

Either way, I'd get really pissed off at the place that did the oil change. You paid them to do that, so you really shouldn't have to double check their work. Just like Ron White shouldn't have had to check the lug nuts on his van pulling out of Sears Automotive.

It was at start-up. I'm positive it was level. Twice I turned it off and then on.. Twice it came on at startup. Checked the level (really low), then took it immediately to a local neighborhod place to get it change. Level is fine now (I checked) and have not had another warning since.

It was at start-up. I'm positive it was level. Twice I turned it off and then on.. Twice it came on at startup. Checked the level (really low), then took it immediately to a local neighborhod place to get it change. Level is fine now (I checked) and have not had another warning since.

That's a relief. Running the engine with low oil fill should be done by lubrication engineers, not customers of incompetent oil changers.

Hey guys..

I didn't go through the trouble and read the endless pages of oil capacity but did anyone else get a letter from Pontiac saying that they get free oil changes for the whole year of 2010 (5) ??

Lemme know,
because I did.

Thanks,
on behalf of the black pearl

Yep most of us got that coupon.

I didn't get the coupon, but not that it matters. I'm starting to think that DRCUSTOM is right and that I should put synthetic in, so I'll be doing it myself.

My owner's manual states engine oil capacity as 8 quarts.

If you think that the G8 Gt requires at least 8 1/2 quarts of oil . My 99 GMC2500 with the 6.0 takes 6 qts and I have an 01 ARCTIC CAT ATV that requires 5qts of oil in it. So think about that one for a minute or two. The first time that I changed the oil in it I had bought the Factory manual with it and also called the dealer to check .

It calls for 8.8 qt. I just put in 9 and it is perfect.