Checking oil level

I put exactly 6.2 quarts like Toyota recommends and never look back.

I really don’t think .2 quarts low will hurt anything and I’m sure that’s what a lot of people do.

 

You can always do the paper towel trick.

 

Oh, I understand Will. Maybe you can get some kind of pattern if you wrap it first (fishing line, pinstripe tape, etc.).

It should definitely "rough" it up a bit. Then engrave it. Not trying to make a sword out of a dipstick, lol

 

You could also try a sharp razor blade to etch some scratches on it.

 

It would be crass to say 'That's what she said' so I won't. I'm above that.....

 

This is horrible advice

 

Is 6.2qt to the max line? So why not put in 6qt and leave it between max and min.

 

You guys are way over thinking this manufacturer says 6.2 quarts with filter change.

 

Care to elaborate?

 

I get the same amount of oil as in the manual only if I do oil change on a hot engine (driven at least 15 min) and let it drain for a half an hour. If oil is warm, not hot, I usually get half a quart less on a V6 and a third quart less on a I4.

 

6.2qts means as much as possible of oil had a chance to drain. IE oil was at operating temp and oil pan drain stopped dripping. That will take at least 30 min, often more, depending on the engine design.
In addition, I change oil on car ramps. By design my vehicle will drain more oil than someone just sliding under the truck.
I add 6 qrts, start engine, back the truck off the ramos, turn it off. Clean up, put tools away, then check oil level, top off, if needed, to bring up half way between Min and Max marks.

 

Do you measure the oil that comes out to make sure you get 6.2qts?

 

I wipe my dipstick and shove it back in and wait awhile before pulling the dipstick back out and it is easy to read. Pulling the dipstick immediately back out with new oil is always hard for me to read.

My Tacoma came from the factory one quart low of transmission fluid. If I replaced the volume that came out I would still be one quart low. I feel more comfortable visually checking all fluid levels.

 

You are way over thinking changing oil do you really think the dealer or quick oil change places put this much thought into it? Of course if you do your own oil changes do as you like.

 

That's pretty much exactly what we did back in the day when I worked at a quick change/tire shop. Drain it, fill it, run it, put tools away, check it, top off if needed.

 

I can agree with that but you were changing multiple manufacturers that each one used different quantities so that’s corporate practice to illuminate mistakes. My Tacoma holds exactly 6.2 quarts with filter how hard is that?

 

I used to be all exact but I will admit that I just drain, change filter and dump the recommended amount now days. On a Tacoma just drain with the engine slightly warm, change the filter and add 6 quarts. It’s not as precise a deal as some of yall make it out to be. You have a quart in either direction of that full line before you do any damage.
You are leaving more than .2 of a quart in that motor anyway.

 

Taco23 says not to check oil level, not to top off.

 

DRINK!

 

I’m of the thought that 6.2 quarts capacity is from bone dry, as in never filled. Dry capacity. I think 6 quarts is good for “wet” capacity.

I’ll run it a few days and check level when at full operating temperature and adjust as necessary.