Can't read engine dipstick.

The dipstick on my 2016 TACO is the most difficult to read of any vehicle that I've owned over 50 years, especially when the oil is fresh and light colored. I tried glass bead blasting the end 3 inches hoping that the oil would be more clearly visible than it was against the original shiny surface but this was of little help. Here's what worked for me: Clamp the dipstick in a vise with only about 3/8 inch of the tip protruding beyond the jaws. Use a Crescent wrench to twist the tip 90 degrees. Polish off any burrs. This requires a little more push/pull force to move through the dipstick tube but it prevents the oil, in the marked area, from being smeared by the walls of the tube. I can read it now, in the usual manner, without repeated attempts or special maneuvers.

 

Welcome to TW! Was not aware this was a issue. Glad you solved it.

 

There were at least two threads on it before. Here's one.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...o-read-after-oil-change.497529/#post-15438380

Some have done sandblasting and said it works, but twisting is a new one.

Welcome rfneal!

 

Have you checked your oil? It's a bitch to read this dipstick.


Op, do you have pics of what you did?

 

No I have not yet on this truck.

 

If you have the 2.7 it's always been a pain in that motor. Mine is the oil barely darkens at 5000 miles. If you park it on level ground and let them sit for several hours you can check them. I always check mine as long as it close to the fill Mark and there's some oil on the stick is good enough for me.

 

Also the 2.7 in mine shows high on the dipstick if you put the recommended amount of oil.

 

I'd pay some good money for a legible dipstick in this thing. Honestly, I've never seen anything like this, on any vehicle.

 

Lol, I don't like the dipstick either. What ever happened to some good old fashioned hash marks...

 

Thank you OP, sometimes the simplest things are the most useful

..and welcome to TW!

Frank

 

If we think 0W-20 is hard to read now because it's so thin and wicks off like water, wait till GF6 comes out as the new standard.
0W-16 is coming....We got word of it this week in our news at work.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20170821/retail05/170829991/ow-16-engine-oil-in-united-states

 

Wow, looks like the article even mentioned 0W-8 in use elsewhere, that has to be crazy thin.

 

Yeah, its getting ridiculous. Not sure how 0W-8 will handle the stress in a gas engine with the combustion contaminants mixed in.

 

5.5 quarts=FULL mark on the money

 

Woah.

I've changed my oil a couple of times already and comparing it to water is no joke. Drains out in no time and splashes every where.

Hard to imagine oil getting any thinner!

 

Yeah, I don't even have to warm the oil up to drain when the ambient air is above 65 degrees! I actually hold the oil drain pan up to the drain at the initial crack of the plug because it's flows so quickly.

BTW, is that Swayze in your avatar?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-3rd-gen-today.399305/page-3039#post-15601394

I also did this.

 

Good call on holding it up, I'll have to try that.

and yes

 

I have changed mine twice, first time I drove about an hour before I pulled the drain plug and it poured out with force, 2nd time i drove maybe 10 minutes and it was a little better.