Oil

This is my stick. Do you read the dip dot or raised dot?

 

I keep my oil level near the higher dot. Pull the dipstick out after the truck has sat for awhile and look at the level before swiping. I then, swipe the dipstick and recheck. The second time is harder to read. Others have said you can rough the dipstick with sandpaper, but my way is fine for me.

I check my level frequently after an oil change and also look for drips under the truck. Otherwise, I check the oil level once per month as my oil level does not move between oil changes.

 

When oil is full it should read between the dots.

 

so early morning is a good time to check? You can only check the stick max of two times in a row? Maybe thats why mine is streaking. Tnx

 

I check my oil anytime of the day when the engine has been off for a couple of hours. When you first pull the dipstick out without wiping, there is no streaking. Every additional wipe and check has streaking for me. I could call it good after that first check but I am a little OCD and always double check everything on my truck.

 

Check both sides of the dipstick to be sure they are close to the same.

 

No, it is either half empty or half full.

Actually between the dots means it's adequate.

Love me some oil threads.

 

ok got it! Tnx

 

Hilarious!

Thanks for the laugh this morning.

I check mine weekly so I utilize the hood struts.

 

2500 mile oil changes???

LOLOLOLOLOL

(facepalm)

I don't check my oil levels unless I'm going on a long trip.

I don't know... but I'm almost seventy and have had something like 50 cars, putting LOTS of miles on them, and I've never broken one due to a lack of oil. (Drop shifting is another story) I used to worry about oil levels, but then I realized that the only engines that use oil are either leaking (so you see spots on the ground) or smoking (so the engine is already broken/worn out), so who cares? I don't drive vehicles with leaks, or that smoke, so why would I check the oil?

Some people can't drive a vehicle without breaking it. I'm not that guy. I change my oil at recommended intervals and when I drain the old oil into a gallon jug I have to use two jugs. I can tell that the second jug is getting a little over a quart so there is no significant oil loss.

It's not something to over think. On the other hand... if you are always fixing things on your vehicles you might want to look at the way you treat them.

 

This place never disappoints!

 

If my engine were using oil I might check it often to make sure it didn't get low. But after 15 years and 227,000 miles I've never had to add any oil between 10,000 mile oil changes. After 10,000 miles I might be 1/2 qt low, sometimes close to a full quart, but I've never had to top off.

The most common reason for me to raise the hood is to add windshield wiper fluid once every few weeks. I sometimes check the oil then, but not always. When I change my oil I will always put in a little less than required, start the engine to circulate oil and fill the filter with oil. I then check it and add as much as needed.

 

You add windshield fluid every few weeks??? I don't have my newly produced Tacoma yet, how small is the windshield washer fluid reservoir? Pretty much every car I've had over the last 30 years has had a reservoir which held just over a gallon; check it once per year (or wait for the light if so equipped), dump in a gallon, and wait another year.

 

Drain it and refill with factory recommended specs. Only way to be sure.

 

Where is the dipstick located? Can someone upload a picture of the location?

 

Which engine; they are in two very different positions.

Regardless of which engine you have, your Owner's Manual is your friend; it clearly shows both locations.

 

If that's the case then definitely complain to the dealership. Overfilled oil is much worse than underfilled. Overfilled can foam and foam doesn't provide proper oil fim for bearings.

 

Considering he has 3,800+ posts, I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess he was being facetious.

 

Almost every dealer oil change on our last 6 Toyotas since 2014 the oil is 1/4” - 1/2” above the second dot. I therefore do not believe that a slight overfill is any problem unless maybe you are off-roading on severely steep inclines, which the 3.5L is terrible regardless.