Oil filler cap says,"To avoid damage to engine oil must not exceed MAX.". Manual, at 183, also says, CAUTION! Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.

My oil level on the dipstick WHEN CHECKED WITH ENGINE COLD as suggested is about 1/4" ABOVE the pointy end of the MAX arrow, i.e, well outside the "NORMAL OPERATING RANGE" shown on p. 182.

Is this too much oil? do I need to drain a cup or so? Is it in fact damaging the engine (by impeding proper function of oil-pressure-based adjusters, or otherwise)? What damage is caused by overfilling?

Car came filled this high. I haven't added or changed oil. Has 400 mi. on it. Would appreciate any help here, about to take fairly long drive.

 

hmmm... I know manuals always difer on whether to check hot/cold.. after sitting, or immediately after shut down... so...

I personally like to check my cars immediately after shutting down. This is a more true reading of what the level is like when the engine is running. Allowing the car to sit for an hour or so and oil drains back into the engine. This is not a realistic picture of the oil level when the engine is running. So did the engineers take this into consideration when designing the engine? Did they take this into consideration when writing the recommended oil level check procedure? I do not know.

One final idea- Is your ground level where you are checking the oil?

And if you are concerned- Then lower your level slightly. You may avoid damage and at the least you will have peace of mind.