Dipstick-hard to read if at all after initial check

I have almost 1,000 miles on my V6 now, have checked the oil about 3 times. Looked down just a little a week ago. Checked it tonight as I drive over 260 miles a week on the highway in a round trip to work every week, thought it was close to the top, stuck the dipstick in again and oil was up and down on the stick. Dang, guess I'll have to make sure I can read it the first time or be happy oil shows. Seems the stick coats the tube when pulling it out. One reason I don't care for the lower viscosity oils. Fresh lower viscosity oils.

Have also read here that some like to change the oil at 1,000 miles and others have said the factory runs the motor a bit and not change the oil until 5,000. My '07 Civic I changed the oil on it at about 1,000 miles, then switched to Mobil 1 at around 7,000 miles. Just sold it for my asking price.
Duane

 

know what you mean, oil smeared everywhere. guess if you check it first thing in the AM before starting it you can get a good reading. what happened to the gold colored oil from the old days?

 

That happens.
Next time, look at the holes in the stick. If there is oil in both, you are OK. If there is oil only in the bottom one, it is low (but dip again to see how much). If neither hole has oil, your engine is doomed.

 

Many will use sandpaper to rough up the surface of the DS. Makes it much easier to see level of oil.

 

Do what you want on that first oil change, there is no right way, 1000, 5000, 10000, it really doesn't matter, if you change every 5,000 or 10,000 the engine will still be the last thing to go.

 

Guess I'll have to look closer. Could touch up one side of the ds. Thank you for the suggestion. I like to check the oil on new vehicles until I get a feel for any oil consumption. The old '93 had bad engine seals, so I could check oil on it after 1,000 miles from the oil change. Not as easy is it used to be in my 40's. 62 now. Looking to hire a 6 year old to help with the numerous electronics.
Duane

 

I was going to check and see what kind of miles folks got with these newer engines using the lower viscosity oils. Not much info on the web.
Duane

 

Here's what works for me. After turning off truck with engine warm, remove your dipstick. Then wait 5 minutes. Insert dipstick and count 10 seconds. Remove and check. I get consistent, easy-to-read oil level readings every time. It's a one time shot though, as soon as you pull out the dipstick, you have to allow time for oil in dipstick to drain back down.

 

I've found it very hard to read also. Harder than any vehicle I've owned in the past. I've tried checking hot, cold, different dipstick positions, going quick, going slow, standing on my head, holding my nose etc.

I don't like taking it in for oil changes, but may do it for the free toyota care. Thinking I will stick around and get a few tips and a dipstick reading clinic.

Not sure what causes it to run up and down the dipstick, got to be the viscosity and angle of the dipstick.

 

Hardest I've had too, but I've only mostly had mini-cars/trucks. Short ds tube.
Duane

 

198mi on the odo here. I have the same problem... I'm going to try renau001's method. If that doesn't work I'm going to stop by the dealer to get some tips. With the oil traveling up the dp tube (i'm guessing), it usually looks like it has too much oil when I checked it today.

 

yep the remove and let it sit out for a few mins makes a world of difference. if I try to read it after its in the truck..even after sitting for hours. I pull and look 10times and each time no clue. if I pull the stick and let it just sit out of the tube for 5min or so. check it again and its much easier to read.

 

Winners winners chicken dinners.. These answers worked for me.. Thank you guys.

I pulled the dipstick out, cleaned it, and let it sit to the side for probably 10 minutes. One regular full insertion and pull back out, and there was a pretty good defined line for the oil level on the dip stick.. WAY more defined than I had seen earlier. Mine was just below the full mark, so all remains good with my brand spankin' new truck

 

LOL

 

Thanks for asking this question, and the ones that answered with a quick and easy solution. I experienced the same issue with having difficulty getting a consistent reading.

 

Yeah anywhere between the dots you are O.K. - I think when I change my oil I'm going to buy 6 quarts of oil and not worry about the .2 (as in 6.2 quarts)

 

Pull it - turn it over - read the bottom side (what was the front side while in the tube).