1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: Brand new member and his sciatic nerve from these dang seats . Skid plate install - using the wrong size tap (fixing it with Heli-coil?) CB Antennas Front suspension Center console tray for Gen2....any interest? TPMS questions

How on Earth do you read the oil dipstick?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by jross20, Feb 25, 2019.

Page 2 of 3
  1. Feb 25, 2019 at 7:07 AM
    #21
    PzTank

    #21
    PzTank Stuck in the Well

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2010
    Member:
    #43250
    Messages:
    7,067
    Above the Notches
    Vehicle:
    ‘15 AC SR5 4X4 4.0 Auto
    ‘07 OR leather shift knob
    Folks, you need to check the oil when it’s warm.

    Take ‘er out for a spin.
    Park on level ground.
    Wait 15 minutes.
    Pull the dipstick.
    Wipe the dipstick with a clean absorbent material.
    Reinsert the dipstick fully. Twist if you need to get it fully seated.
    Pull the dipstick all the way out while keeping it pointed down.
    Clear the engine bay with the dipstick to a place that offers sufficient lighting for you to read the dipstick.
    Read whichever side of the dipstick is most most visible to you.
    Reinsert the dipstick- twist to secure if that’s a feature.
    Adjust oil level according.
    Repeat the above if necessary.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2019
    PzTank, Feb 25, 2019
    #21
  2. Feb 25, 2019 at 9:18 AM
    #22
    jross20

    #22
    jross20 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2018
    Member:
    #244913
    Messages:
    2,028
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 | V6 | Auto
    Tundra 5100s F+R, OME 880s+890s, duro bumps, etc
    See it drives me crazy because what if it was somewhat overfilled? No way to know... Or what of it is semi low? No way to know
    Ahhhh
    :mad:
     
    jross20, Feb 25, 2019
    #22
  3. Feb 25, 2019 at 9:20 AM
    #23
    jross20

    #23
    jross20 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2018
    Member:
    #244913
    Messages:
    2,028
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 | V6 | Auto
    Tundra 5100s F+R, OME 880s+890s, duro bumps, etc
    I've never heard of checking it when it is warm...is that specific to the v6 of the 2nd Gen? I'll try that too.

    Also... I can see the oil no problem, it is just all over the stick...haha. I mean IF it is accurate it looks likey engine has 3 times the oil it needs but I have no symptoms of overfill...
     
    jross20, Feb 25, 2019
    #23
  4. Feb 25, 2019 at 9:47 AM
    #24
    BKinzey

    #24
    BKinzey Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2016
    Member:
    #186211
    Messages:
    1,483
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Beauford
    Hollywierd, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 White Tacoma Access Cab TRD Off Road 4x4 V6
    RCI aluminum front skid, SnugTop, Sliders, bedside supports, LED interior, CaliRaised fogs & brackets, rear diff breather mod, DIY bed platform
    Have had the same problem. Read where putting cross hatch or roughing up the surface on the dipstick helps. Gives the oil something to cling to.
     
    BKinzey, Feb 25, 2019
    #24
  5. Feb 25, 2019 at 9:51 AM
    #25
    TacomaMike37

    #25
    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2013
    Member:
    #110316
    Messages:
    5,086
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    13' DCLB MGM
    I really dont understand the issue. Read the dipstick in the morning after the truck sat overnight. There wont be any residual oil above the actual fill level.
     
    TacomaMike37, Feb 25, 2019
    #25
    Williston, Larzzzz, whatstcp and 2 others like this.
  6. Feb 25, 2019 at 10:15 AM
    #26
    PzTank

    #26
    PzTank Stuck in the Well

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2010
    Member:
    #43250
    Messages:
    7,067
    Above the Notches
    Vehicle:
    ‘15 AC SR5 4X4 4.0 Auto
    ‘07 OR leather shift knob
    See the very first line below.
    Operating temp is most likely a recommendation from all manufacturers.

    Remember, according to the manual, anywhere between the marks is normal, only add when you get to or below the bottom mark. If you’re at the bottom mark, add one quart and you’re good to go
    2FEB363B-1161-44E2-B5B6-81D34CFF651A.jpg 58D6FDBC-6AFF-4261-A6FC-170C33308382.jpg BC12112D-206A-4F82-8299-8C627DB25431.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2019
    PzTank, Feb 25, 2019
    #26
    GilbertOz, wilcam47 and jross20[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  7. Feb 25, 2019 at 10:39 AM
    #27
    fritzthecat

    #27
    fritzthecat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2008
    Member:
    #7217
    Messages:
    175
    Gender:
    Male
    Virginia Beach
    Vehicle:
    07 PreRunner Auto AccCab Indigo
    1- use some 100 grid sandpaper and scuff the bottom of the dipstick.
    2- pull out the stick in a slow, smooth motion. Look at both sides. One side will be smeared all the way up with oil, the other side will show the level. You only get one try before you have to wait a while for the tube to clear.

    Fritz
     
    fritzthecat, Feb 25, 2019
    #27
    GilbertOz, Sharpish, Biscuits and 3 others like this.
  8. Feb 25, 2019 at 10:50 AM
    #28
    PzTank

    #28
    PzTank Stuck in the Well

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2010
    Member:
    #43250
    Messages:
    7,067
    Above the Notches
    Vehicle:
    ‘15 AC SR5 4X4 4.0 Auto
    ‘07 OR leather shift knob
    See my latest post above.
     
    PzTank, Feb 25, 2019
    #28
  9. Feb 25, 2019 at 11:13 AM
    #29
    DRP6833

    #29
    DRP6833 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2014
    Member:
    #121137
    Messages:
    187
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    Frederick, CO
    Vehicle:
    2014 Tacoma I4 4WD
    FWIW I always pre-fill the filter with oil before I install it. Call me paranoid about not having any oil to circulate the first few seconds after the engine starts.
     
    DRP6833, Feb 25, 2019
    #29
    b_r_o and whatstcp like this.
  10. Feb 25, 2019 at 11:32 AM
    #30
    SR-71A

    #30
    SR-71A Define "Well-Known Member"

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Member:
    #255145
    Messages:
    7,801
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Zack
    Southern Maine
    Vehicle:
    2012 DCSB, TX Baja Edition. Barcelona Red
    255/85/R16 Falken Wildpeak MTs, Mobtown sliders, ARB bar, SOS front skid, Icon RXT leafs, extended & adjustable Kings, JBA UCAs, OVS wedge RTT, dual AGM batteries, Gen2 xrc9.5 winch, CB, GMRS, S1 ditch lights...
    My V6 4.0L has the remote oil filter mount up by the battery. The filter sits on there "upside" down aka threads down. So pre-filling isnt an option on this truck otherwise I would haha
     
    SR-71A, Feb 25, 2019
    #30
    whatstcp likes this.
  11. Feb 25, 2019 at 11:38 AM
    #31
    TacomaMike37

    #31
    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2013
    Member:
    #110316
    Messages:
    5,086
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    13' DCLB MGM
    Do you even own a Tacoma? Sounds like a mess considering the filter needs to be installed upside down.
     
    TacomaMike37, Feb 25, 2019
    #31
    JMcFly and Bagman like this.
  12. Feb 25, 2019 at 11:40 AM
    #32
    SR-71A

    #32
    SR-71A Define "Well-Known Member"

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2018
    Member:
    #255145
    Messages:
    7,801
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Zack
    Southern Maine
    Vehicle:
    2012 DCSB, TX Baja Edition. Barcelona Red
    255/85/R16 Falken Wildpeak MTs, Mobtown sliders, ARB bar, SOS front skid, Icon RXT leafs, extended & adjustable Kings, JBA UCAs, OVS wedge RTT, dual AGM batteries, Gen2 xrc9.5 winch, CB, GMRS, S1 ditch lights...
    His profile says hes got 2.7L
     
    SR-71A, Feb 25, 2019
    #32
    whatstcp likes this.
  13. Feb 25, 2019 at 11:43 AM
    #33
    Shelf Life

    #33
    Shelf Life Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2014
    Member:
    #139592
    Messages:
    6,679
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Central Oregon
    Vehicle:
    '06 ACC CAB 4x4 TRD OFF ROAD
    If you think the Taco is tough, try getting an accurate reading on a Subaru!
     
    Shelf Life, Feb 25, 2019
    #33
    Gritto and b_r_o like this.
  14. Feb 25, 2019 at 11:51 AM
    #34
    TacomaMike37

    #34
    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2013
    Member:
    #110316
    Messages:
    5,086
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Vehicle:
    13' DCLB MGM
    I suck at reading
     
    TacomaMike37, Feb 25, 2019
    #34
    Blockhead and b_r_o like this.
  15. Feb 25, 2019 at 12:26 PM
    #35
    DGXR

    #35
    DGXR Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2009
    Member:
    #22094
    Messages:
    2,204
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Friend
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 2.7L SR5 2-wheel drive
    The only engines that need oil level checked when warm is dry sump oiling systems. All others with conventional wet sump oiling can be checked warm or cold. Just allow 5 minutes after running for oil to drain back into pan. I used sandpaper to put hatchmarks on my dipstick, seemed to help the reading.
     
    DGXR, Feb 25, 2019
    #35
    b_r_o likes this.
  16. Feb 25, 2019 at 1:22 PM
    #36
    Plucky was his name

    #36
    Plucky was his name Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2019
    Member:
    #282004
    Messages:
    447
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Carl
    Central East Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Reg Cab Taco 4x4 5-speed manual
    ARB Front Bumper, Wet Oakle Seat Covers, Aftermarket Stereo, OME suspension with Heavy Duty Dakar Leaf Springs
    Mine always looks like a Rorschach inkblot test, too. I just make sure the oil reading always looks like the same kind of loony-toons reading as all the previous times, then proceed with my affairs.
     
    Plucky was his name, Feb 25, 2019
    #36
    b_r_o likes this.
  17. Feb 25, 2019 at 2:39 PM
    #37
    lynyrd3

    #37
    lynyrd3 STRENGTH DETERMINATION MERCILESS FOREVER

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    Member:
    #5848
    Messages:
    35,246
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bill
    East Central Upstate NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 SR5 AC SUPER WHITE V6 4x4 AT / 2020 RAV4 XLE
    Bilstein 6112s top setting ,Total Chaos UCAs ,1/4" top plate spacer driver side ,SS extended brake lines ,Old Man Emu Medium Duty Dakar leaf springs with AAL,OME carrier bearing shim , Bilstein 5125s for 2-3” of lift in rear ,Timbren SES bump stops , SS extended brake lines rear , Toytec dif drop , Hayden high performance transmission fluid cooler,aFe pro dry air filter .Baja amber driving combo ditch lights , Devil horns by Andres ,Weathertecs floor protector, American Racing wheels Baja 17x8,4.5 BS , 285/70 Falken Wildpeaks AT/3W .Body Armor rear bumper . Extra D rings in bed ,Blue sea fuse block and 100amp breaker ,HomerTaco custom grill in Super White , TRD radiator cap ,Birddawg Industries rear view mirror riser bracket ,Coverking NeoSupreme Mossy Oak seat covers , Paranoid Fabrications fuse /relay holder Painted pinch weld.Shorty antenna ,HVAC knob mod ,LED dome and map lights , Tri Fold bed cover ,UltraGauge ,Morimoto XB LED fog lights ,Energy Suspension poly body bushings and sway bar bushings ! Geartech Customs splash guards ,Salex center console organizer . Mobtown tailgate cap ,tailgate anti theft mod .X-Mat sound deadening/insulation cab floor . Mobtown weld on rock sliders 0* with kickout Raptor lined . ,NEW frame courtesy of Toyota !
    :rofl:
     
    lynyrd3, Feb 25, 2019
    #37
    b_r_o likes this.
  18. Feb 25, 2019 at 2:52 PM
    #38
    jross20

    #38
    jross20 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2018
    Member:
    #244913
    Messages:
    2,028
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 | V6 | Auto
    Tundra 5100s F+R, OME 880s+890s, duro bumps, etc
    Alright I'm going to get some better sandpaper and retry!
     
    jross20, Feb 25, 2019
    #38
  19. Feb 25, 2019 at 2:53 PM
    #39
    jross20

    #39
    jross20 [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2018
    Member:
    #244913
    Messages:
    2,028
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2000 4Runner SR5 4x4 | V6 | Auto
    Tundra 5100s F+R, OME 880s+890s, duro bumps, etc
    Where can I get or purchase this book you all post photos from?
     
    jross20, Feb 25, 2019
    #39
  20. Feb 25, 2019 at 3:01 PM
    #40
    PzTank

    #40
    PzTank Stuck in the Well

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2010
    Member:
    #43250
    Messages:
    7,067
    Above the Notches
    Vehicle:
    ‘15 AC SR5 4X4 4.0 Auto
    ‘07 OR leather shift knob
    PzTank, Feb 25, 2019
    #40
Page 2 of 3

Products Discussed in

Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil
$51.74
To Top