Flipping dip stick SUCKS!!!!

Just want to say again how much the damn dick stick on this truck sucks ass! I mean come on, its virtually impossible to check the engine oil level!!
I did sand some criss cross lines on it and that helped a little but not enough. So, really the only way I know how much oil is in there is when I do a change. What happens if I have a leak or start to burn oil, I'll never be able to know how much to add. FRUSTRATING! Anybody ever come up with a good solution to fix this worthless piece of steel?

 

I have not done it yet to this veh but in the past I have done as you. I filed a line perpendicular to the stick to hold the oil, just don't go so far as to weaken it. And clean it good before reinstalling it

 

pull the dipstick out - let it sit for a few hours our of the tube (i usually let it sit overnight) then shove it back in now that the tube is dripped dry and you will get a nice accurate reading

 

Try using a sharpie to blacken the area. Clean with brake cleaner first.

 

x2. This works with the dip stick in place also. I usually let my truck sit overnight and check it before I fire it up to go to work in the morning.

 

It is hard to see when you first change the oil, but after it turns from honey to a light brown it starts to show up better.

You might also use Royal Purple oil. Shouldn't have a problem seeing it then.

 

Thanks for the tips! Though I still think Toyota could come up with a better stick than this, both my other vehicles have cable type sticks that work very well. I wonder if there is any aftermarket sticks made for Tacos. I'll have to do some searching.

 

Drill a very small hole, right on the line. Easier to see. When you remove the dipstick, wipe it off before reinserting, and that will help eliminate false readings.

 

I just bead blasted the lower 1/3 of the stick it seemed to have helped a little.

 

They do suck. The only real way seems to be to let it sit for a while and let it settle. It seems that the oil travels up the tube and gets on the stick after the first pull. Very annoying.