Engine Oil

Ray- The new rebadged Shell Ultra Helix here in the States is Pennzoil Ultra. It replaces Quaker Sate Q, which was the old name for the rebadged Ultra Helix. Pennzoil and Quaker State are owned by Shell, but here in the States, Shell badged oils are their bottom-line oils, hence the change.

If you checked the oil IAW the OM, removing/loosening the two caps and waiting 5 minutes or so to let the warm oil drain back into the pan, you may need a quart.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Thanks for the reminder, it has been weeks since checking the oil. 6,500 miles and it has not needed any. Although I just checked it, the Cali has been sitting about 5 hours after a bit of a drive earlier today, it is on the full mark. It will be interesting tomorrow to check it per the procedure in the manual and see if it makes a difference.

Rick

 

I only have about 1300 miles on mine, but won't it buzz at me if it needs oil as in a regular car? Should I be checking it regularly? It does tell me about w/w fluid which I've never used.

 

What color is your oil? I changed mine at 7,000 and the oil was jet black! And I never had any oil consumption either

 

It is a medium brown, really not bad at all at 6,500 miles. Just checked it again, and after sitting 15 minutes it was full. I will check it again tomorrow after five minutes like the manual says.

 

Don't forget to let it sit for five minutes with the dipstick and oil fill cap removed. I guess that helps to let the oil flow freely back into the oil pan...

 

I am so glad y'all pointed this out. I checked mine per the manual instructions and found it at the min point after 5-10 mins sitting (1300 miles). Called my dealer to find out where to get the Q Horsepower SAE 5w-40 as I can't find it here at AutoZone and he said "Bring it in to us. Don't fill it yourself. We have had people add too much oil and ruin the engine." Love that service! Heading there tomorrow. Need ww fluid as well...

 

Jennifer- Nice to have a dealer so close. Here in the hinterlands, no dealer within 350 miles. Must be why I collect service data.

Taz
Terry phillips

 

Terry, must be tough indeed to be so far from service, but then again, I imagine that in Alb, your Ferrari must garner attention much more than mine! Still, I must admit that it is nice as a newbie to have a dealer only a few miles away. Oh, and didya know we also just got the F1 course for the next 10 years??!!!! We are elated here in the Capital!

 

Jennifer- I have great service here from an independent, but no dealer. Obviously no warranty, either.

Tell me more about the F1 course. Had not heard anything about that. My mother lives in Garden Ridge, north of San Antonio along I-35, so I am down there all the time.

Do you know Franck (Frenchie), who owns a 456M and lives in Austin?

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/5/10824.html
Here is the link:

Didn't make the front page of the AAS today, but we saw it on Ferrarichat/texas/austin this morning, so someone knew about it fast.

Might want to see your mom more often!

Don't know Frank (Frenchie) but did know a Frenchie in HS in Hou. Are lots of boys called that?

 

Yea, It's the cap and dipstick that needs to be removed. It probably lets air in which allows the oil to flow to the pan more easily

 

Jennifer- Thanks. Will probably be my first chance to attend a US Grand Prix. Like you said, good excuse to visit her.

Hard to believe the dealer thinks you California owners need to use their shop to check the oil.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Yes, I was worried that they even knew what they were doing since he didn't seem to know the procedure to check the oil as I was telling him what I'd done according to OM. It needed 1/2 qt and they left me with the rest so I guess they trust me for future top ups. BTW, there was NO ww fluid in the car. It took a whole gallon. Oops...guess someone forgot to add that when it was delivered. Hope they didn't forget anything else important and glad to know it wasn't an electrical issue causing that warning light about the ww.

 

I'd check that since they found mine was empty after all!

 

Could be the "Little Woman" stereotype (esp here in Texas) as the service manager seemed pleased that I "knew so much about the car!"

 

Jennifer- I work with a bunch of lady PhDs so you will not get that from me.

Taz
Terry Phillips