Tacoma Oil Dip Stick

Just got tacoma. Question on the oil dip stick. There is a black O-Ring. Does the O ring indicate the level from the top of the tube opening? If the o-ring is at the top of the opening, then the oil level is correct. However if I push the yellow handle all the way down... Then it looks like the oil is overfilled. Curious what the standard is? Did the factory overfill the oil or is the dipstick suppose to be pushed in to where the oil ring indicates the stopping point?

 

Yes o ring inserted.

It will read high if you let it sit all night.

Run it, let it sit for 10 mins, check fully inserted.

 

stick it all the way in.....

 

welcome aboard.

insert to the hilt.

 

Yep. Gotta go orings deep.

 

LOL!

 

Sux. I finished the topic for you

 

Can you elaborate on why?

Seems with these newer Toyota’s, it always runs down the dipstick using this method.

Been told by a few dealerships (albeit service writers, not techs) that you get the best reading when the vehicle is completely cold.

 

All the way like mentioned. The o ring is to seal it from the elements. If it’s over filled by a margin of 1/4” I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

Because I believe this is what the dreaded vehicle hand book tells you how to do it. So believe Toyota or some guy at the dealership.

 

Quoting the book is fair.

But just because Toyota indicates something is the “proper” method does not mean another method is invalid.

So my question still stands. Is there a technical reason why checking the oil on a cold engine will provide an incorrect result?

 

For one, it takes forever, and to get a consistent result most manufacturers say 5-15 mins.

The overnight drain back can yield 200-500ml (1/2 qt?) and read wrong, but usually we see that after 30-60 mins. During servicing even at home, that's silly.

I try to intentionally set my oil levels at work below full to compensate for drain down. So even after over night it only reads slightly over full.

 

You gotta warm it up before you stick it in….

 

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Last time I checked my oil (after sitting overnight), it was sightly under the full line. Not dangerously low, but that indicates it could use some more at oil change time. Thanks.

 

Almost every car I've had the level is lower on a cold engine vs sitting 10 minutes hot.

 

yep.oil expands when hot.

 

This is the first vehicle where it was recommended to check the oil 2 minutes after shutting down the engine as recommended by the Toyota guru CCN. Blasphemy!

I was sceptical at first but was willing to give it a shot as I was doing a more traditional method of waiting overnight and not being able to read the bloody dipstick. Tried CCN’s method and voila. Readable dipstick and bang on full mark. I wonder if 0-W20’s thiner viscosity has something to do with this?

 

Yellow handle all the way down. This ain't a lawn mower

 

Always shove it all the way in.