just bought and changed the oil on my '96 850 wagon (non- turbo)
i believe the manual said that it took 5.6 quarts including filter, but i put in a big 5.3 qt jug, then added a little more and it was reading low. it ended up taking the entire additional quart, so it took about 6.3 quarts.
is this possible?

 

Dipsticks don't lie. Double check the owners manual, make sure you are looking at the right motor size.

 

Indeed dipsticks do not lie. Get the motor warm then let it sit for an hour and recheck. Occosionally these motors will keep oil up in the head longer the nothers. I usually put in 6 quarts.

 

Tell me you didn't ck the oil before you ran the engine after the oil change?! Not to be painfully clear but...

1. Drain the old oil; preferably the engine is up to operating temperature.
2. Install drain plug and new oil filter
3. Install 5.5 qt new oil
4. Run the engine; at least till the oil light goes out; always ck for leaks!
5. Wait at least 5-10 minutes; then ck the oil level via dipstick.
6. Recycle old engine oil.
7. Record oil change in owner's manual noting mileage and date.
8. Have a beer (but not if you're driving..)

 

i did up to the 5th step and checked it again after 24 hours. looks like it is filled to the max. i'll look at the manual again, but i thought it said 5.6 qts, but 6.1 for some. how do you know what qualifies as "some?"
as i said, it's the non-turbo 2.4.

 

I think your car qualifies as some 6.1 quarts. Right way to find out is like you did and is posted by gdog. Difference between "min" and "max" on the dipstick is about 1 quart. Pouring 5.5 quarts should be "max" on those that take 5.6 and "min" on those that take 6.1 quarts