regular intervals. The best time to check the engine oil
level is before starting the engine after it has sat over-
night.
Do not check oil level when the engine is warm. Check-
ing engine oil level when the engine is warm will give
you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground, and
has sat overnight, will improve the accuracy of the oil
level readings. Maintain the oil level between the range
markings on the dipstick. The safe range is indicated by
a crosshatch zone. Adding 1 quart of oil when the reading
is at the low end of the indicated range will result in the
oil level at the full end of the indicator range.CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine with oil. Overfilling the
engine with oil will cause oil aeration, which can
lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase in oil
temperature. This loss of oil pressure and increased
oil temperature could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further informa-
tion.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or
350 hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The
350 hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a
concern for fleet customers.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 271
