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3rd gen Toyota Tacoma V6 Checking or Reading the Engine Oil Level with the Dipstick

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Yo_traigo_una_tacoma, May 10, 2025.

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  1. May 10, 2025 at 11:45 PM
    #1
    Yo_traigo_una_tacoma

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    Yo_traigo_una_tacoma [OP] Member

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    ●Fully inserting the oil dipstick, and then removing it fast, gives a correct and constant oil level reading.

    20250511_150021.jpg

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    ●Slowly or waiting several seconds to remove the oil dipstick, gives a different or incorrect oil level reading.

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    Last edited: May 20, 2025
    Yo_traigo_una_tacoma, May 10, 2025
    #1
    davidstacoma, yotadust, Tcoma16 and 1 other person like this.
  2. May 11, 2025 at 8:14 AM
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    yotadust

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    yotadust Well-Known Member

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    Got any pics of what the oil should look like on the dipstick? Mine always looks like I poored a puddle of oil and drug the stick acrost it lol
     
    yotadust, May 11, 2025
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  3. May 11, 2025 at 8:19 AM
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    Buck Henry

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    Buck Henry Well-Known Member

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    Wow, I have been doing this wrong for over 50 years. Oh the humanity!!!!
     
    Buck Henry, May 11, 2025
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  4. May 11, 2025 at 8:45 AM
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    stielinc

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    stielinc Well-Known Member

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    interesting
     
    stielinc, May 11, 2025
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  5. May 11, 2025 at 8:55 AM
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    b_r_o

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    b_r_o Gnar doggy

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    Pull the stick out, set it on the engine and walk away for a couple minutes. Then come back and check it. That gives some time for the oil to drip down out of the dipstick tube and you'll get a better reading
     
    b_r_o, May 11, 2025
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  6. May 11, 2025 at 9:52 AM
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    trailmeisterjoe

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    trailmeisterjoe Well-Known Member

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    Ehh....a scuffed up dipstick between the marks works great.
    Joe
     
    trailmeisterjoe, May 11, 2025
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  7. May 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM
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    TA2016

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    TA2016 Well-Known Member

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    I wipe my dipstick and re-insert in to the tube. I wait several minutes (doing other things in my garage kills time) and then pull the dipstick out. Very easy to read if you are patient.
     
    TA2016, May 11, 2025
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  8. May 11, 2025 at 10:30 AM
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    Mallcrawler20

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    Mallcrawler20 Well-Known Member

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    Not sure why everyone has trouble with reading it . As long as u are in between the 2 dots u good …
     
    Mallcrawler20, May 11, 2025
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  9. May 11, 2025 at 12:01 PM
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    Clearwater Bill

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    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Me too.
     
    Clearwater Bill, May 11, 2025
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  10. May 11, 2025 at 12:52 PM
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    auskip07

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    auskip07 Well-Known Member

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    Great, some guy with 12 post is telling the community how to properly read the dipstick. Its not even friday.
     
    auskip07, May 11, 2025
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  11. May 11, 2025 at 12:57 PM
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    Clearwater Bill

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    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    So is he early or late?

    Discuss.
     
    Clearwater Bill, May 11, 2025
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  12. May 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
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    Tcoma16

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    Tcoma16 Galatians 2:20

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    I’m not sure what is going on here… :facepalm:
     
    Tcoma16, May 11, 2025
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  13. May 11, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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    auskip07

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    auskip07 Well-Known Member

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    Let's go with late
     
    auskip07, May 11, 2025
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  14. May 11, 2025 at 2:21 PM
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    TacoTime55

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    TacoTime55 TT59

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    Dang, Buck!

    Get your act together!!! lol

    My stick is always difficult to gauge where the oil level is...

    Even after I wipe it 2-3 times and go back in and PULL out, the shit is smeared. o_O
     
    TacoTime55, May 11, 2025
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  15. May 11, 2025 at 2:36 PM
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    Clearwater Bill

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    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Root cause says you should use actual oil.
     
    Clearwater Bill, May 11, 2025
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  16. May 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
    #16
    TacoTime55

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    TacoTime55 TT59

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    I can see the full-level point...some of the synthetic oil smears.
     
    TacoTime55, May 11, 2025
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  17. May 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
    #17
    Buck Henry

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    Buck Henry Well-Known Member

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    OK let's get real here. A dipstick tells you that there is a relative amount of oil in your sump. If it reads anything at all, then there is plenty of oil there to keep that engine lubricated. Drive on!

    PS: But then again, what the hell do I know!
     
    Buck Henry, May 11, 2025
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  18. May 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
    #18
    TacoTime55

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    TacoTime55 TT59

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    Dude!

    Do I need to remind you...you're a smart fella!

    I've always liked your posts...in case you haven't noticed.
     
    TacoTime55, May 11, 2025
    #18
  19. May 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
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    kahanabob

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    kahanabob Well-Known Member

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    Mobile 1 is so clear it is hard to define where it is on the dip stick, at least for me.
    Back in the old days Pennzoil was yellow and you could see it on the sitck, IMO
    Maybe i should use Royal Purple!
     
    kahanabob, May 11, 2025
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  20. May 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
    #20
    kahanabob

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    kahanabob Well-Known Member

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    I found check it first thing in the morning, all the oil will have settled down all that will be there is where the stick is in the oil.
     
    kahanabob, May 11, 2025
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