Should I be worried? (loss of oil after oil change)

I have a 2014 Tacoma V6 DCSB and I last did an oil change about 4,000 miles ago and honestly haven't been super on top of checking the oil recently, but nonetheless I decided to change my oil early since I hit 55k miles and want to have it done every 5k. Before doing the oil change I ran the truck for about 5-7 minutes and waited about 3 and then I checked the oil and the dipstick said I was at half. I went through with the oil change and at the end filled up the 5qt bottle and did not get back very much oil at all. Granted the oil filter had about half a qt or so and there is still some stuck in the oil catch pan, as well as a little oil I spilled, but I just wonder if I should be a little worried or if the truck is just burning a little oil? I know I don't have a leak so it must be burning oil right? If I'm looking at it right it seems like my truck had about 3.5-4 qts of oil when it should've emptied with like 5? Maybe I didn't get the oil hot enough to pour out? It wasn't as hot as usual but it was warm and poured out 'normally'. I'm not sure, but I'm just curious if this is a Tacoma thing or something specific to my truck?

(FYI) Last oil change I noticed I didn't get a ton of oil back either, but unfortunately I didn't actually pour it back into the 5qt jug to check. It seemed to be about the same as this time though.

Here are some pictures of the catch pan and 5qt jug, as well as the dipstick after filling about 5.5 qts of oil and letting the truck run 5 minutes.

 

I wouldn’t be worried.
It’s low when you reach the bottom mark according to the manual
I wouldn’t over think it.

Between the Bottom and Top marks is about 1.5qts.
At half way between you were .75 qts low from being at the top mark.
I’m betting if you let it sit longer before draining, you’d get a bit more out.


I personally like to let mine sit for 15-20mins before draining the oil.

Do I? -No.
Because I let the someone else change my oil.
And at the same time, they do tire rotation and alignment.
(No charge on the those 2 - I have life time. Paid for it years ago)

 

The V6 Actually holds 5.5 quarts so if your only putting 5 your slightly low to start off with, also the filter is going to keep like .3-.5 quarts in it because it has an anti-drainback valve so I don't see any cause for concern.
I'd say do your standard oil change (5.5 quarts), note where it is on the dipstick, check it every 1k or so (make sure the vehicle is level as even a slight incline can drastically affect readings on the dipstick), and see if there's a noticeable drop over time.

 

To get a clear reading I've found that if I let mine sit for a while I get the best reading on the dipstick. For whatever reason, at least with mine, once you pull the dipstick out and put it back in, the oil likes to migrate up the stick making it harder to get a good reading. I often will check the oil after the truck has sat overnight. It's when I get the best chance of an easy read on the dipstick.

 

Exactly what I do.

 

I’ve read it here, and found it to be true. Sitting overnight then checking it is the only way to get a correct reading. Your method of waiting 3 minutes, which always seems to work for every other vehicle I’ve owned, won’t provide an accurate reading.

 

Your oil is thin enough to where you shouldn't have to wait overnight to check your oil. You want to monitor oil consumption so try to check your oil lever on a regular basis.

 

I’m guessing it has to do with how the dip stick tube bends down towards the bottom, I don’t know. My situation was I checked it mid day after driving around already that day, appeared a little low. About a week later, Saturday morning, after having already got a quart, I checked it again, now it’s at the top dot. So it was either a biblical motor oil miracle, or checking after sitting overnight is necessary. After a TW search, the second scenario is true.

 

Sorry I took so long to respond, I honestly thought I already did haha! And yeah, I should've drained it when it was HOT rather than warm and probably would've gotten more out. I think honestly .5 qt from oil filter, burning a little oil, and not getting it hot before draining is the reason. I am burning some oil though and I'm wondering why that may be or if I should be concerned?

 

I think you misread, I am putting in the full 5.5 qts of oil and I did account for losing .5qt to oil filter. I am definitely burning some oil I just wonder if it's enough for concern. I will keep checking at 1k miles and see how it's looking. thanks

 

I wasn't really having an issue with getting an accurate dipstick reading, but more so an issue with the little amount of oil I got out of the truck from the oil change and possibly burning oil. I do see why having a more accurate reading could be important to see where the dipstick said I was at when it came to my oil level. I've always ran a vehicle for about 2-3 minutes when sitting to get an accurate reading is that wrong? Maybe I need to check when it's been sitting overnight in the garage?

[EDIT] Just checked my oil (my truck has been sitting in the garage overnight without being driven) And it was super inconsistent and streaky. Said my oil was WAY over full. I still seem to get the best readings after running truck for 2-3 minutes.

 

That's so odd...I always thought you were supposed to check a vehicle when it's slightly warm not hot or cold. I always check the oil after a vehicle has been sitting and then ran for 2-3 minutes. Guess I've been doing it wrong?

[EDIT] Just checked my oil (my truck has been sitting in the garage overnight without being driven) And it was super inconsistent and streaky. Said my oil was WAY over full. I still seem to get the best readings after running truck for 2-3 minutes.

 

From what I understand I'm definitely burning a little oil even with all of the factors of .5qt being from the oil filter, not getting the oil hot when changing, spilling some, and some being stuck in the drain pan. I just wonder if I should be concerned about burning some oil?

 

Interesting, I guess I have to check after sitting because when I first got the truck I had a horrible time reading the dipstick and now I've not had so hard of a time, but maybe that means the readings have been inaccurate???

[EDIT] Just checked my oil (my truck has been sitting in the garage overnight without being driven) And it was super inconsistent and streaky. Said my oil was WAY over full. I still seem to get the best readings after running truck for 2-3 minutes.

 

Sorry, it wasn't clear to me in your first post that you were putting the full 5.5 quarts in.

A half quart every oil change (5k) isn't terrible, if it's more than a quart between I'd start getting concerned. I'm sure you already did but if not make sure you don't have any leaks as well.

 

No worries!

I honestly can't tell if it was more than a qt of oil. It's concerning I only got back like 3.5 qts of oil so where are the other 2 qts? Granted all the factors I listed .5qt to oil filter, some stuck in catch pan, not getting the oil HOT before draining, etc... I'm still a little concerned. I'm almost 100% positive I don't have any leaks considering I park in my garage and I would notice the oil on the epoxy floor.

[EDIT] Just checked my oil (my truck has been sitting in the garage overnight without being driven) And it was super inconsistent and streaky. Said my oil was WAY over full. I still seem to get the best readings after running truck for 2-3 minutes.

 

My truck isn't supercharged, but I'm pretty sure I'm burning oil. I mean it's hard to say though because I don't see any black exhaust or anything, but I'm also not focused on paying attention to it. I'm gonna pay crazy attention to the truck this oil change and make sure to check and take notes every 1k miles on the oil level. As well as checking in the same spot under similar conditions. It also sounds like I need to check when the truck's been sitting for a while to get the most accurate readings. I'm almost 100% I don't have a leak because I park in the garage every night and It would be really obvious on the epoxy floor.

[EDIT] Just checked my oil (my truck has been sitting in the garage overnight without being driven) And it was super inconsistent and streaky. Said my oil was WAY over full. I still seem to get the best readings after running truck for 2-3 minutes.

 

If you check your oil frequently enough you can get a feel on how much oil that your engine is using,

 

I typically do just wasn't great about it last oil change.