Oil overfill question

Hi all,

I had my truck (2015 Tacoma trd sport) in at Toyota for service including an oil change. I’ve driven about 500 km and I checked my oil as I typically would when I fill up my truck (Hot engine, after sitting for five minutes). It seems they overfilled my oil (pic attached). Based on the photo, am I safe to drive this way, can any damage occur or should I take it back to have them remove some oil.

thanks in advance for any help or replies.

 

That stick is a joke. I've had no reliable level readings with mine. It tells me there's oil in the engine and what color, that's it.

 

If it worries you drain off 1/2 qt. Simple enough to do. The truck was leveled when you pulled the dip stick?

 

hey thanks for reply. Yes - level at the gas station. It’s snowy and tough for me to drain the oil in this weather on my driveway...

cheers and thanks again for the reply.

 

The only way to get a good reading on these trucks is to do it first thing in the morning before you start the truck. Make sure you park on a flat surface. Pull it, read it, and done. A little over the mark is no big deal, but I'm guessing it is not overfilled.

 

More than likely, when you extracted your dipstick, it pulled some oil from the tube sidewall. Those dipstick styles can be a pain to read. I usually will check after about 10 to 15 min after I shut it off to get a more accurate reading but even then, one side of the stick will have way more oil than the other, I always use the side of the stick with less oil after it's been sitting. I'm 99% sure you're fine @norcojumper

-J

 

The way I check mine is when it is cold. Pull the stick out and wipe it. Leave it out for a few minutes to let any residual oil drain back down the tube. Then put the stick back in/out to get a more accurate reading.

 

I know I’m wrong for saying this, but I never check my oil. The reason being, I do all the oil changes, I know how much I put in so I don’t worry about it.

 

This. I have seen dip sticks like yours end up being a perfect fill. there is no discernible line to go by, and therefor wouldn't touch a thing until you do. New oil, especially warm, is very hard to read, it seems to need a few miles before it sticks correctly.

 

Hmmm. Not here to pick a fight, but don't feel this is sound advice. It doesn't happen often, but I'm always surprised at how oil level can fluctuate with load. I do all my own oil changes and maintenance so know it gets done right but every now and then, have to add a bit to every vehicle I've ever owned (while towing, after a wheeling trip, or long, high speed cross-country blasts on the interstate, etc). Nothing is wrong with the motors, but it's those times I'm glad I checked the levels.

OP: other good advice here, though. Check when cold before you start in the morning on level ground to get a good reading. Also....start changing your own oil!

 

Looks normal. Likely got smeared pulling the dipstick out to make it look overfilled.

 

The dipstick sucks. If I put the specified amt of oil in after a change, it's always above the top dot. I have carefully monitored the level when refilling, and if I stop before the top dot, I'm 0.5 to 0.75 qts below what they say to put in......

Which way is correct? Dunno.

 

I had trouble reading this dipstick too. The trick is this, leave truck on level surface and remove the dipstick for 5 min. After 5 min, insert the stick and check the side that is lowest, the other side is usually messy and smeared, the cleaner and lower side is the correct side to read. Usually the side facing you when you pull the stick straight up is the one to check.

 

I agree changing your own oil. It doesn't get any easier than the 4.0! I rarely check my oil either between changes. I check it just before a change. It comes down to knowing your truck. I have towed a lot and wheeled a lot and my engine uses nothing between oil changes, even after 175,000 miles. Theoretically it could use more, but mine just doesn't. Every engine is different though, and I think a lot of it has to do with proper breakin when the engine is new. That whole idea has fallen by the wayside, but it's also the reason that so many engines now have consumption problems. Toyota says nothing about breakin procedure now, but has a lot to say about how a quart of consumption between changes is "normal". Complete hogwash. A friend just had a Subaru engine replaced under warranty with consumption over 1 quart. He bought the car used.

 

Oil level is safe anywhere between the dots. You don't necessarily have to fill it to the top.

You also have to consider gravity. The way you're holding the dipstick in the photo is allowing oil to run up the dipstick making it appear there is more oil in there than there is.

Make sure the truck is on level ground and the engine hasn't been running for 5-10 minutes for an accurate reading. Clean the dipstick and insert, wait 5 seconds and pull it out. Make sure you hold it in a vertical position so no oil can run up the stick when you check it. Between the dots is fine. If slightly above the top dot I wouldn't worry about it, 1/2" or more and I might drain some out. When the oil level is on, or below the lower dot you add 1 full quart. No reason to add partial quarts when the oil level is anywhere between the 2 dots.

Most newer vehicles use very little oil. I do 10,000 mile oil changes and at 10,000 miles the oil level on the dipsticks on all of my vehicles will be near the lower dot or hashmark on the dipstick, but I almost never add oil in between oil changes. But some vehicles do use some oil and it isn't necessarily a sign of issues. Some will use 1 qt every 3000-5000 miles and it never hurts a thing. Most manufacturers don't consider it a warrantee issue unless you're burning a qt or more every 1000 miles.

 

I see the same thig . I put in the exact amount after I let the old oil drain while I do other stuff on the truck. Then l pour in the exact stated amount, and the dipstick reads a bit over the full dot.

I don't know either

l just leave it where it is.

 

This (hot or cold) is the key. Pull the dipstick, wipe and set on top of the engine cover. Letting the oil drain back down the tube (does it quicker when warm) then its much easier to get an accurate reading.

 

I've found that only one side of the dipstick gives you an accurate reading the other side is all smeared allways.

 

To be honest I rarely use the dipstick few times Ive tried its all over the place. I change my own oil and use 5 quart jug and drain into previous used jug. You will be fine.

 

Exactly what I do. 5 out , 5 in.