Hard time reading oil dipstick

I just check the oil in the morning. Pull stick out and read - works every time.

 

I've done that

 

Yup

 

OP see here

Dipstick the worst to read after oil change

Or jump straight to http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/maintenance-tech/117734-ultimate-fj-oil-level-check-tool.html

Edit: stupid photobucket. Heres a few of the images (reverse order)

 

6.2 Quarts is the correct amount if I am not mistaken, I like to let my truck sit overnight before trying to read the dipstick which seems to help.

 

Rodger. I will check again today and also grab a sheet of 200 grit to rough up the stick. So funny.. never had this problem checking oil before. It's not that I can't see it. It's just all over. Side note. I meant to change at 1000 miles and just kept running out of time and weather has been shit. So at 2500 I finally got to it. The oil was def. dirtier than I expected. I am very happy to get some fresh amsoil signature in there after the break in oil.

 

This super thin 0-20 is a bitch to read, I found scuffing it with sandpaper and letting it sit overnight the best way

 

I sandblasted mine just enough to knock the shine off the dipstick but now I'm worried it will rub a hole thru the dipstick tube. Ordered a new one to calm my worry.

 

You can leave the dipstick out for 10 minutes and the oil drains out of the tube. When you check it then you only get one shot. If you need to recheck it you will have to wait another 10 minutes and do it again.

 

Wow, did my first oil change today at about 2,200 miles and immediately checked the forums and found this when I went to check the dipstick afterwards. What the freak? It has to be the design of the dipstick tube because its rough to get it in and out. Seems to stick about 3/4 of the way down. I'm guessing between the angle it takes and the thin oil, that's what's making it impossible to get a good reading as the oil wicks back up the tube as you're removing the dipstick. The dipstick on my Tundra is the exact same design but no weird angles/sticking and it's easy to read. Even better is the dipstick on my wife's Oddysey. It's made out of what appears to be braided cable with a solid weight on the end with a checked pattern in it. It literally almost feeds itself back down the tube. Love my Tacoma(I still say it's mine even though I bought it for my son), but Toyota needs to get their SH*T together on that design. Before referring to the forum I had already tried etching the end of the dipstick with 220 grit sandpaper. Still didn't really help. But letting it sit for an hour or so, then using the paper towel method worked like a champ. I'm sure as the oil darkens it may be easier but still. I wonder if there's any dye's that could be safely used to help visualize the oil? Frustrated.

 

$108 Royal Purple 12020 API-Licensed SAE 0W-20 High Performance Synthetic Motor Oil - 12 Quart

https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Purple-12020-API-Licensed-Performance/dp/B005JVNXNQ

 

Using some light sandpaper between the low and high dots really does work.

 

I've had no issues checking first thing in the morning. Day of and after my 20k service. Right to the top dot on both occasions.

 

0-20W oil isn't like the old days of 10-30W Pennzoil which went in dark green colored, this stuff is thin. Roughing up the dipstick and letting it sit as mentioned are good suggestions.

 

I have got to anymore when I pull the dipstick out and it has oil on it...that is good enough for me. I get my oil changed once a year anyhow. Only have a tad under 7500 miles on my truck.

 

What do you mean by use a clean paper towel NEXT to the dipstick?

Funny- I've never come across a thread about this in all my years on TW, but I've always had trouble checking oil in my gen2's. I've found I can get consistent reads by "feel". I pull out slowly and turn at the same time-- the stick wants to spin on the way out. You might have to release it, turn your hand, and grab it again. But feel the direction the stick wants to spin as you're pulling it out. And LET IT SPIN. Don't grip it too hard. Just let it spin the way it wants to spin while at the same time pulling it out. When you force it, it bends and contacts the side of the insertion tube. When you let it spin, it doesn't do it as much.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMKeFspGKbk

 

This is the dipstick on the 2018 Honda CR-V. Should be easier to read.

 

That sure looks like a really bad idea.