How on Earth do you read the oil dipstick?

I skimmed the thread and didn't see this method mentioned so here goes. I'm going to tell you guys the secret to getting a good dipstick reading in a taco so LISTEN UP! Note that I haven't tried this on any "turn and lock" style dipsticks so YMMV. It works perfectly on any 2.7L I've tried it on.

1. Pull out and wipe as usual
2. Reinsert but not fully. Stop when it's about 3-4 inches from being fully seated.
3. STAB AND YANK. Quickly push it down the rest of the way until it seats and immediately yank it out quick like how some ATM machines like you to do your debit card.
4. Observe the clearest reading you've ever gotten with your dipstick.

 

This thread talks about it as well. Sanding, filing or even sandblasting seemed to work

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-2-7l-dipstick.295682/

 

You don't. Lol. The dipstick shows a blurred line every time on mine. I've sanded it and made cross hatches on it and it's almost useless. It tells me if I changed the oil and that's it.

 

If you pull it and check a bunch of times its going to get harder and harder to read as you pull more and more oil up into the tube.

Pull the stick and wait 5 mins.

As mentioned above, dip it and remove it quickly.

Check both sides and compare what looks like the highest reading. Wait another 5 mins before you check again.

 

I just check mine cold most of the time, before I even start the engine for the day. That, and safety glasses with a 1.5 set of cheater lenses in them.

 

None of the oil checking methods mentioned here work with any consistency on the 2.7L. To get a semi readable level sometimes takes 5 to 8 tries. The problem is the "S" shaped dip stick tube. As you pull the dip stick out, one part of the "S" wipes the bottom and the other wipes the top making it difficult to obtain a good reading.

$52 0w20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0w20 oil being so thin contributes to the problem. Bad design on Toyotas part!!

 

Correct. Probably shoulda mentioned that.

 

Wow that's amazing.

Which version should I use though? They seem to have two PDFs

 

This has been the key for our cars, especially the I4 Camry which has an S-shape tube - if one side is smeared, 8/10, the other side will be more readable. Same for cars with ATF dip sticks.

 

It's amazing how simple checking oil was for over 100 yrs. Why did it need to be changed? Why, why, why. Please just put it back like it was.
Lone

 

If this post gets this thread to 4 pages, I’ll be kicking myself...

I can’t really tell if you’re serious or just yanking chains here???

Have you noticed THE difference between the two pdfs?

 

Nah I downloaded them on my phone earlier, just got home a bit ago. A phone isn't great for big PDF's haha.
On my desktop now so I'll check em out.

Ok looks like one... is the Canadian one? Not sure... but this isn't the one I was actually looking for... I see people posting from what looks like a super book like I used to have for my first car. Shows you exactly how to do anything, take things apart, replace things, all the diagrams and torque specs. Etc.

 

I stopped checking the dipstick about 150,000 miles ago. I just drain and fill 5.5 quarts of oil every 6,000 miles...good to go.

 

You’re looking for the Factory Service Manual (FSM).

Search this forum for it. There are links and you have to download sections one at a time.

Regarding the Owners Manual, I was hinting at the possibility of the MY date being the difference between the two manuals for your MY. This is the way the 2015 manuals were differentiated.

 

Ah thanks my man!

 

I don't advise doing this but I did I also work with metal on a daily. You can take a torch to the tip and quench in dirty oil to darken the metal, easier to see it on a dark background. Tho be careful not to harden it to much from the quenching process. Do not get it anywhere near to glowing red or even orange.
I'm not sure if it would work but I think it would, other option being cold bluing. I'm to lazy to get it and try but u think that be a solid option.

 

Maybe if I dip the tip in sugar I’ll be able to see where sugar remains when I pull it back out and that’ll be the level… like the Fun Dip candy right?
Just messing/trying to get this thread to 4 pages though honestly I like the idea of pulling it out, wiping it off, then waiting 5 minutes before a quick stick and pull out. I’ve already crossed hatch filed one side of my stick and was still having issues the last couple days getting an accurate reading.

 

I’ve read a few TacomaWorld threads in full on this topic and now I have “THE ANSWER!” For an accurate reading, run your truck for a bit to get it to operating temperature (when temps increase stuff expands so nice always been told to check oil on a warm engine.) Pull the dip stick, wipe it off, and let it sit for 5 minutes or so to let the oil drain down to the pan and out of the dip stick tube. Grab your stick, get it started in the tube, then before you get too deep, thrust it all the way in until it’s fully inserted, and pull it out immediately. With the end pointed down, quickly set it down on a blue shop rag paper-towel, and rotate it once so you can see the wet oil mark on the rag compared to the oil level markings of the stick right next to each other.

If anyone is interested, I’m willing to take some pictures or something to assist with this. It can be frustrating. I also made cross hatched etching on the tip of my stick which wasn’t totally necessary after using the method above.

 

Nearly 5 years later and its only gotten worse