not put all of the oil in when you do an oil change, i.e. 3.75 Quarts, and then measure from there with the dipstick, or is it ok to do what I did and just put in 4 quarts? (And is it just me, or is the idle smoother, since I switched to Mobil-1?)

 

An even smoother idle can be achieved with a do it yourself ground wire system. Or you can buy one off E-BAY.

Yes, measure that oil. Never over fill oil. Remove some oil if you over fill.
Fill with 3 quarts of oil. Then seal and run motor.
The oil filter will fill with oil when motor is run for a few moments.
Turn motor off after the oil can idiot light goes out.
Check dip stick and add to the full mark.

See many threads on all aspects of maintenance in the maintenance section.

When changing oil, I am like Phelix Ungar not like Oscar Madison.

Allways recycle used oil. Do NOT kill thousands of fish by dumping used motor oil down a storm drain.

I am amazed that oil goes in as a honey colored lubricant,
and comes out as a TOXIC WASTE that needs special handling.

 

if you feel like you also can fill up the new oil filter with new oil and install so you don't get a dry start

 

That's the correct way to do it for sure.

Here's a funny related story:
I met a girl once who had just turned 16 (legal driving age in CO). She changed her own oil and put about 1.5 quarts too much in. Obviously, it ran like crap and started having all kinds of problems. He wise father's advice? "Well, there's nothing you can do, just run it until the excess BURNS OFF." Please remember here, SHE HAD JUST DRAINED HER OWN OIL!!!

Ah, good times...

 

Well, I checked my oil level and you know how there's a hash mark to indicate full, and the "F" above it; well the oil level is up to the vertical line of the "F," is that ok or what should I do? Do I just remove the oil drain plug for a second or what? And why is it a little over the hash mark -- maintenance guide says 4 quarts?

 

To remove a small portion of oil in the crank case, just unscrew the oil plug until oil comes dribbling out. Let it dribble for a moment or two and then tighten it down again.
Check oil level and add until full.

What maintenance guide are you looking at? Scion XB calls for 3.8 QTS of motor oil.
Not 4 Quarts, as you can see, 4QTS is too much.

OUR XB's have oil filters that hang down, so you can fill your filter with new oil and install it without making a mess or spilling any oil down the side of the filter.

You do not NEED to lift your box, reach under there and change it.

 

It's really not a big deal if you overfill the crankcase with slightly more oil, like a "hair" above the f mark. That's no big deal.

When you're talking about an extra quarter of a quart...now you're talking about parasitic drag on the crankshaft...maybe a slight drag in performance.

Anymore than that and you're probably looking to weaken/blow some oil seals.

 

Thanks to both of u ^. Sorry I forgot to clarify, I have a tC xBHAWK but thanks for your help. I already drained some and got it just right. Won't make that mistake again...but I was just a hair over like FromThisSoil said, but better safe than sorry, right? Happy New Year