On the dipstick of all my other Monte Carlo's the word full was written on it, on my 2005 3800 V6 it just has a cross-hatched area with holes in it. My question is how do I know if it full or down oil? I know if it is below the cross-hatched area it is down,I just got the car a couple of weeks ago and didn't change the oil yet. Thank you.

 

anywhere's in that cross-hatched area your fine.i think the 3800 calls for 4.5 qts. but not 100 on that i just put 5 qts in, puts it at just below the top of the cross hatch.

 

yah cross area is good, slighty above is alright but do not let it go below

 

bottom of the cross hatched area means add 1 quart.