What A Dipstick

Are you a victim of changing your own oil, only to check your oil level and realizing its inaccurate? Well that's me, these dipsticks suck, and I want the exact amount of oil in that damn engine the book calls for. That book is my bible and the dipstick is the devil! Suggestions for aftermarket sticks?

 

Just put the required by the book amount in and disregard your dipstick?

Keep track of your "proper" fill level on the dipstick and go off of that in the future.

 

There are some more threads on here already discussing this. Some sanded on the dip stick to help. Search on here if you want to read more on it.

 

Don't worry what the dipstick says. Just put in the specified amount, and call it good.

 

Remove dipstick.
Wait 5 minutes for the dipstick tube to drain
Insert and remove to measure.

The tube extends down into the sump, and removing the dipstick "drags" oil up the tube. Makes for inconsistent readings if the tube is not allowed to drain.

 

Yea thanks for the replies, I'm just being silly tonight. But seriously, I can't disregard that dipstick, it is the eye for which sees proper lubrication. I will sand it tomorrow, and sorry, I was too lazy to search through the threads.

 

Is the dipstick saying too much or too little? Because you'll never get all the oil/other crud out of there.... so in theory, adding the exact capacity as stated in the bible might overfill the engine?

I usually trust the dipstick over the bible stated capacity.....but that's just me.

 

I just dump in 5.5qts, and dump the last 1/2qt into the wife's Rav4 because at 140k she's using a bit between changes now.

1/2qt high or low is not going to cause a problem on the Tacoma.

 

True enough, the engine does like to consume oil so I check it regularly and just anal about oil levels. Usually I put the 5.5 in, then wait 5-7 days and check it again and it usually is thick about half way up, then thins out. So I just put another quart in today and it is reading thick all the way to the second notch, and thin about an inch above that. Not a big deal as I can drain some if I hear any engine noise, but just curious if anyone had any mods to the stick, or tips. Just more of a OCD thing I guess.

 

Your 2012 shouldn't be consuming any oil yet, and shouldn't for a very long time.
My wife's Rav4 is an '04, and she's hard as hell on it with constant short trips and self-imposed stop and go driving (she seems to think that a zig-zag across a diagonal is a shorter distance than driving straight down the perimeter).
And she only burns a half quart over 5000 miles.

If your dipstick is showing oil between the marks, the level is good. It's a gauge, not a meter.

 

Fill with right amount of oil and use a etcher to make your own line.

 

The problem isn't the dipstick has poor calibration, the problem is inconsistent results when checking because of the way it draws oil up the tube when withdrawn.
You end up with a heavy layer of oil below the marks, and then "spotty bits" from the marks up another foot.

Give the tube 5 minutes to drain, then reinsert the stick and the results will be much more consistent.

 

never even thought about this. thanks!

 

Jesus, I've tried everything it seems BUT THAT!

Thanks Rich.

 

This makes great sence. Thanks Rich!

Thanks,

Brett

 

I change mine at night, and wait till morning to check it. the 5+ quart jugs have worked well for me so far. just dump er in, start the truck to fill the filter (I hate how the v6s install upside down so that I cant fill it before starting), then leave it till morning.

 

exactly what I do. if you want real accurate take it out overnight and reinsert/check in the morning.

 

i just let it all settle down. i have no issues reading my dipstick.

 

I don't have the patience for that.... but I do have the patience to check the tire inflation or clean the windows

 

If you live in an area with road salt, the engine will outlive the frame/body by a signficant margin.