4.0's inaccurate dipstick

I recently changed my own oil for the first time and I added exactly 5.5 quarts and I even let the old oil drain out for 3 hours. After sitting overnight, the oil level on my dipstick shows about 1/4" (or less) above the full dot. I've read how these dipsticks are inaccurate so what does everyone here do? Do you put in the recommended amount of oil and call the dipstick a rough measuring tool? Does going over the full dot freak anyone out? I know I have 5.5 quarts in my truck so I'm comfortable, but it does bother an OCD person like me.

 

did you change your filter too?

 

Yes

 

5.5 qrts is the amount on a totally dry motor, even though u drained it, theres still a little oil in the motor, alot of valleys and spots that dont drain. I usually add a half qrt under what the manuel calls for, then run the motor for a few minutes, shut it off, and add more oil till the dipstick is at full

 

Did my oil change this weekend as well. After a 30 minute drain, a new filter, and 5.5 quarts of oil, the dipstick was 'dead on balls accurate'. Don't let your OCD get the best of you. I'll be fine.

 

I've thought about that. Why would Toyota put 5.5 quarts in the manual? Does the 5.5 already compensate for that? We may never know

 

I only put in 4.6 quarts (4.4L). Sits just perfect on the dipstick. Too much oil is just as bad as too little as it'll fuck with the VVT-i and thus the engine performance. (Since it's run off oil pressure.) I once had Castrol fuck up with a batch of oil at Costco and put 5W50 in a 5W30 box. I noticed it too late and wow...it was almost like my truck had to build boost to go it was so sluggish. Same thing happens if you over fill your truck with oil.

No Beuno.

 

Thats why the dealerships and oil change shops always overfill motors, they just look at the book and set the gun at that amount.

 

Mine is inaccurate as well. After adding 5.5 quarts and a new Toyota filter, I start it, let it run a few minutes, shut it off, wait a few minutes and check the dipstick and it looks like I'm .5 quarts shy of full. There's oil all the way past full but there's also dry spots on the dipstick down about halfway between full and add. I've wondered if anyone else has this problem.

 

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming. I think it comes down to either Toyota screwing up the dipstick or screwing up and not putting the right capacities in the manual to compensate for trapped oil. I've never owned a vehicle that showed too much oil after following the manual.

 

I have to let mine sit all night to get an accurate reading. Only the first pull on the dipstick is the most accurate for me.

 

Where can I find the dip stick so I can check mine next time?

 

The 4 cylinder (2TR) has the same issue. The owners manual calls for 6.1 qts but that much puts it at least an inch above full in the dipstick. I usually use 5.5, which puts it at 1/8 to 1/4 inch above the full mark.

 

I never had an issue with my 4.0. My wifes Subaru though, that's another ballgame. Good luck checking the oil on a 2.5 boxer engine.

 

Was always 5.5 on my 2006.
Just did the first change on my 2014 (yes, DIY) and put in 5.5qt.
Overnight check shows dead on at the mark. Just sharing info, haven't heard about the inaccuracy of the dip stick.

 

Lol, so true. Have a '13 Outback 2.5, the level can be all over place depending on when you check it.

My 4.0 Tacoma's dipstick is fairly reliable in that regard.

 

I don't think it's inaccurate, but it's just hard to get a good reading.


For me, one side of the dipstick is better than the other. One side puts oil all up and down the thing and the other I can actually get an idea of where it's at.

 

Reading the title, I thought it was implying the truck's owner had a rough time at the shooting range...

 

So we've gathered that some take less than 5.5 to hit the full mark, some take 5.5 to hit it, and mine is over the line with 5.5. Should I crack the plug and drain a 1/4 of a quart out and recheck?

 

Nah. Just leave it. If you put in 6 or 6.5 absolutely. But a little over won't hurt it.