Reading Oil Dip Stick [I'm not stupid]

Never could find a 710 cap or a 35 oz pump for those cars.

 

I read full at 5qt even. Should I be putting that extra .5 in that everyone else seems to be full at? I have it around, I just never have.

 

Did this too. Works pretty good.

 

You sure you didn’t drain your transmission and overfill your oil?

 

i filed mine a little, worked good.

 

I LOVE your disclaimer! "Reading Oil Dip Stick [I'm Not Stupid]. I'm prolly gonna use that.

 

The best way to read the dipstick is to make sure your truck is on level ground. And check it after the truck has been sitting for a while. Overnight is good. That way any oil in the tube has drained. You get a good check then.

 

I pull, wipe, reinsert, pull and check. I find the underside of the stick gives a more definite level.

 

You let the truck sit level for a bit before pulling the DS?

 

No. Always wanted one

I remember that thread

 

Agree with Richard's post. When changing oil, I put in a 5qt jug, new filter, drive around the block, remove dipstick, let it sit a couple of hours or overnight (shop towel on steering wheel as reminder dipstick is out). This lets oil drain from tube. Remember low to high marks on the V6 dipstick is 1.6 quarts. Add oil to get to high mark.

 

I check mine at gas station after filling up. Try to park at the most level looking pump station.

Isn’t checking while cold going to give an inaccurate reading? Oil expands with heat. Your dipstick will read higher when hot. If your DS reads low when cold and you add oil, then you’ll read over the full mark when hot.

 

I have never heard of this discipline...

 

Toyota reads these threads, and they desire to reduce customer anxiety.

In 2020 they will be creating a dipstick free engine, so you no longer have to worry. Dealer serviceable only.

Same business model as the transmissions, same principle as going from actual gauges to warning lights.

Except for nanny stuff like TPMS, where they add more gauges.

#savethedipsticks #dipsticksmatter

 

take some sand paper to the dipstick to scuff it up. definitely helps.

 

Never said “cold” right? I let it sit for a few minutes.

Never understood how folks have trouble reading our dipsticks. I just let things settle down a bit. Pull DS, wipe, insert, pull DS, read. If one side is sloppy, I read the other side. It’s usually better and I can see a good enough line to determine oil level. If the other side is sloppy as well, I didn’t give it enough time to settle down.

 

The Tacoma doesn't. I have never seen an engine that used the dipstick tube for an oil return.

OP, Just fill using what is listed in the owners manual and don't worry.

When checking pull the dipstick and let it sit bor a minute or two before reinserting the stick.

 

This is my suspicion.

All too common.

 

The checking cold part was a response to edm3rd’s post. I forgot to insert the quote.

 

I wish I thought of that