Oil Dipstick

Ok Here is a wierd one. This is my first toyota. But how the hell do you guys check the oil when there is no hash marks or any marks for that matter on the dip stick.

It almost looks like in the following pictures, a piece was there but isnt there anymore

 

Seriously? Min and max marks - what else you need?

 

There are threads on here about the dip stick. I can't seem to get a decent reading on mine. It sucks.

 

Take some 80 grit sand paper and rough it up between the marks. Be sure to wipe off with a clean rag before putting it back in.

 

The taco has a dip stick?

 

Sorry bro If thats all it is then ok. All my past chevys, oldsmobiles, ford, mazdas all had has marks of some kind. looking at those dimpals on the end it looks like something may have fallen off.

 

Nope, that's how it's suppose to be. They use the KISS method.

 

cool I may do that Thanks

 

Yeah. that's all it is. Good luck getting a clean reading though. Mine is usually coated w/oil 3" above the max line. Some folks have reported good luck checking first thing in the morning when it's all settled out.

 

sheeew! glad yours is the same way. I was worried I had too much oil in the truck. Its like everyone said, this dipstick sucks at giving you a reading

 

Those are min/max marks. The way almost all of Toyota's engine oil dipsticks are. I have no problem checking the oil level of any 1GR or any other motor for that matter.
Mind you, I do it everyday all day and know where I'm looking (Especially for those that have the residual that goes above the MAX mark.

 

x2

i've read somewhere on tw that usually the best reading is the first time you pull the oil dipstick out. after that the dipstick tends to get coated oil well above the max dot leading to inaccurate readings.

 

Read between the dimples.

 

Easy to read when cold. Check before you start it in the morning.

 

I check mine first thing in the morning before it's been started. Pull the stick out, read it, put it back. Wipe it off and retry and it reads weird.

FYI my owner's manual says it's a quart and a half low when at the lower dimple. I have never added oil, so can't really say.

 

Well the only acceptable reading is MAX. I was just stating that I know where to tell the difference whether it is residual oil from the dipstick tube, or the actual oil level reading.

 

Considering the dipstick is accurate, what does say... a half full reading relate to? Would this be a quart down, 2.5 quarts down? I ask this because I want to know how much oil to put in when I don't get a full reading.

 

Pull dip stick out, wipe down, stick back in, spin 1/4 turn, spin back 1/4 turn to original position, pull out and look at the line and dimples. Check while cold.

 

pour 1/2 quart at a time to top off to full. Oil expands and contracts to temperature, and also if you ran the engine it's sucked up and spit around all over inside the engine.

 

I've tried scuffing, sanding, and fileing it and still had trouble getting a good reading. Here's what works...
Remove the dip stick, wipe it off, then wait 20 minutes before taking the reading. What this does is it gives the oil time to drain back down the tube after the dip stick was removed. You'll be amazed how good a reading this produces...works everytime!!