Dipstick is impossible to read accurately

After every oil change, it is very difficult to read the oil level. I just put 6 qts and close it and done. I use Mobil 1 0-20 full syn and its so clear like water on the dipstick.

 

Mine is a bear to slide back in. I've had engines that are a bit difficult to read with new oil, but none as stupid as this wet noodle.

 

Mid 80's v-8 Van transmission dipstick, like 5 feet long, goes around like 3 bends, total BITCH to put back in.....

 

At least the Tacoma has a dipstick. My wife's BMW X1 doesn't. Everything is digital. The really bad part is that the computer only tells you when you are low on oil and need to add more. It will not show overfill, it just reads full once the oil capacity reaches the required level.

 

I will be sanding my dipstick in the morning...

 

Good tips in this thread for an oil-changing novice. Thanks.

Scuffed my dipstick with a scotchbright sponge for an oil change today. Made a difference in readability, though the transparent oil was still difficult. Only one side of the stick made sense, I assume because of rubbing on the way out (I waited between dips). I oriented "bumps facing the engine" as someone here put it, and only read the indented side.

I then watched a quart or so of oil gush out my filter housing when starting the truck because I put the O-ring in the wrong notch, but that's a different story. I knew better.

 

I run used diesel engine oil in my engine. High contrast, easy to read.

 

They make diesel 0w20?

 

Even the wind shield washer fluid can has no level indicator. Or if it did, after 3.5 years of use, that really wore off. Today I was trying to fill mine up and I had no idea where to stop at. I looked really hard and could find nothing.

 

On my truck the container is opaque. I can clearly see the level just by looking at the side. At the very least I would put a flashlight on the side of it and the fluid level will cast a shadow and show the level.

 

If u get 15w-40 and run it for 11,111 miles, when you drain it, it is EXACTLY 0W-20

 

From empty, she'll take almost exactly a gallon of fluid.

 

@Speedfreak !!, omg you replied . I was actually thinking of you earlier today and thought of messaging you and driving over to see you about my truck. This is a total surprise. We haven't met, but I wanted your help and advice. I want to go under my truck and bang somethings to place and put my spare tire back down there. Do you have a brass hammer? I was thinking who can I ask for help for such a type of work and thought only you could do that. I wouldn't mind driving up to Vista.

 

The problem on mine is, my once opaque container is now all white. I was in the engine bay shining my cellphone light trying to find a marker or a line and I couldn't see anything. I don't know why won't toyota design these things properly.

 

Mad math skills man...

 

You might have the wrong person. I live a little bit north of Vista.

 

I read mine after the truck sits overnight. It is not an accurate way of measuring the oil since

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

0W-20 oil expands when hot, but you dont need extreme precision with oil level anyway. It just needs to be within a certain range. if the oil level is between the range when cold, it will be between the range when hot as well (unless it shows max when cold). In my case cold oil fills 7/8 of the range while hot oil fills 8/8.

 

They try .

 

Maybe I did . Are you the guy who does welding and some machining work for folks in about SD and North county? Somebody mentioned your username to me.

 

No, not me there are 2 others with similar names in the forum.