First Oil Change 2011 Tacoma - Engine Oil, how much is to much? See photo

I want to thank you for your idea to let the oil drain from the tube to get a good reading. I've owned my truck for over 4 years and sanded/etched the stick thinking it was the problem. Roughing the stick up helped but the oil still smeared. The reading I got yesterday was perfect..right at the top dot on BOTH sides of the stick!! My owners manual says 5 1/2qts but I allways got a reading above the top "full" dot by around 1/4". Last oil change I just added 5 1/4qts and it reads right on the money. I left the stick out only a couple hours before inserting...plenty of time to let the tube drain. Thanks again for the heads up...rep sent your way!!

 

The 2.7 is a great engine. I was using mobile 1 5w-30 full syn. from 1st change to 45k and changed every 5k or 6months. Since being introduce to Amsoil(far superior to Mobile) I switched to Amsoil signature series 0w-30. With mobile the engine would make top end noise at start-up for a sec. or two. With Amsoil the start up noise(amplified by a garage) completely vanished, it has a higher film strength and flows better cold. So now the 2.7 is on a 12 month 25k oil change schedule. Prefered customers with Amsoil($10) get wholesale prices and that is cheaper or the same as Mobile. I am an Amsoil dealer but recommed Royal Purple as well. Either way you will save $ w/ less oil changes, save $ with better mpg and save $ in the future when your engine has 300k and is in perfect condition. The other thing is don't use traditional undercoating, use chainsaw lube it's far superior. I plan on keeping my '02 forever and do the preventative maintenance so it will.

 

Sorry, but as soon as you said you work for Amsoil you lost all your credibility. But I'm not saying that Amsoil is bad (I actually like it).

 

I'm not trying to make any arguments about the subject at hand, just wanted to say that the filter really does hold about 1/3 quart if not more. After my second oil change the lash adjusters clattered for a second or two when I started the engine to circulate the oil. Since then I've been filling new oil filters up to the top before screwing them in. The first time I was really surprised that it took a little over 1/3 quart to fill the darn thing, I guess the filter paper soaks up a ton of oil when it's dry.

 

Have noticed that if you let it sit overnight the back side of the stick will read perfect on the 1st pull. It sure is a booger to read when the oil is clean even on the back side.

 

I used to do the 5.5-5.75Qt deal but gave up. I got annoyed at leaving a 1/4 full mobil 1 around taking up space. I just did a change last night and I used one of those newer 5.2Qt jugs of M1. Pouring out what I drained ended up filling that jig almost to the brim so i got about 5.25QT out probably.

Engine has been out for 6 years and everyone putting in from 5-6Qts and I have yet to hear of an issue.....The dip stick is useless.

5 years ago.....http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=161695

 

This issue has been covered many times- My truck came filled from the factory with the dip stick reading at least an inch above top fill hole. After my first oil change, I went with the 6.1 qts w/filter as specified in the owner's manual and again it was reading well above the top fill hole. At the end of the day I am running with the 5.5 qt w/filter oil change, which leaves me just above the top fill hole as many have mentioned they do. I have always relied on my oil levels with every motor based on the dipstick of the motor, so why would I change now?

 

you would change this if the dipstick was incorrect, but that's never happened before.........

Bottom line is 1 qt over/under DOES NOT MATTER. Everyone will do what they feel comfy with. As we speak Tacomas are driving around with between 5-6.1 US qts in them and seem to be fine. If people were using 6 qts 5 years ago and don't have issues then we're done here.

 

book says
6.1 with filter
5.4 without

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM35A58U/pdf/sec_6-1.pdfhttp://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM35A58U/pdf/sec_6-1.pdf

 

Why don't you change the oil.....put in what the manual says to put in and drive it a few miles.......then on a level surface, check your stick. If it is the same on the stick as it showed when the dealer changed it,well,then it's accurate....
I've heard this concern before about the sticks on Tacomas.Bring it up to the dealer ,also,call Toyota and inquire if it shows the same on both oil changes.

 

I added too much oil in a chev truck once and it blew a massive oil leak that week.definitely hard on the engine and no good for it in any way

 

Random question from a newb... on the 11' is the oil filter located in the top right of the engine compartment, upside down?? Just wondering cause that's how it is in my 12' and because of Newton, not much oil can hide in there.

 

Toyota dealership should warrant their service. If the work was done by them and in recent days, bring it back and they should fix it for no charge. Even if they have to perform another oil change.

With that said, by the time you get to the dealership with that warm engine of yours. Ask a tech to show you how to read the dipstick and ask her to fix it if it is out of spec.

 

i've gotten all my oil changes at the dealer...they always put 5.5qts in...it says so on the receipt.

 

X2. Sorry if i read your post wrong or if this a a repost i kinda just skimmed through this entire thread, but your having problems reading the oil level cuz of a smeared dipstick? Are you wiping the oil off the dipstick after you get a reading ?? You should have to wait for the oil to set before checking the levels again. Just get a rag or some paper towels and clean the dipstick before putting it back in, the oil won't smear if you clean it off.

 

Same here. 5qt jug plus 1/2qt from an individual bottle brings it right to the top mark.

Gelo is getting 6 quarts out because he's putting 6 quarts in.

But honestly, 1/2 qt overfill is not going to be enough to hurt anything on these engines.

 

All you summed up is that you are draining out what you put in.

If you put 7qts in, you'd get 7qts out.
There's a dozen other threads on the 2.7 and the standard opinion is that it takes 5.5 to properly fill with a filter change.

But 1/2qt either way is not going to hurt the engine. It's not like a dirtbike where 1/2qt is the difference between blowing oil out the breather or starving the top end.

 

And virtually everyone else is using 5.5

I've done 2 oil changes on my '08 with 5.5 and it's come up to the top dimple and remained there every time I've checked it.

Chill man... you really seem to be getting worked up over nothing.

 

Okay, whatever.

Put 6 quarts in if you want.

 

Interesting that you seem to have to make two posts for every reply.

Just because you repeat something often enough and loud enough doesn't make it right.

The fucking dipstick shows "full" at 5.5 quarts.
It doesn't indicate "add" until you're down to 4.5.

Nobody is going to hurt their engine refilling with only 5.5
However, overfilling CAN hurt an engine. While filling 6 isn't going to hurt, an overfill will cause the crank and counterweights to dip into the oil in the pan. This leads to foaming... foam is not a good lubricant.
You're better off being 1/2qt low than 1/2qt high.

Do you have an aux oil cooler? That'll make a difference in capacity.