I can’t read my dipstick!

so I’m not sure how the dipstick is situated on the 3.5, but on the 2.7 it has a huge bend in the dipstick tube so when I check my oil it’s just all over the damn thing! I can’t get a good reading at all. The dealer just changed my oil and on the paperwork it states I was charged for 6qt of oil. Should I be concerned about the dealer possibly putting in too much oil or should I just be happy I have oil in general? Does anyone else have problems getting a good solid read on their oil levels? The 2.7 takes 6qt if oil with a new filter and I believe the 3.5 takes 6.2qt so if anything it might be .2 overfilled if that is even the case. I really hope I’m just wrong and the dealer didn’t mess up a simple task.

 

Common problem. One of many threads: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cant-read-engine-dipstick.508050/

 

Well, at least it isn't stuck.

 

Lmao. Spit my breakfast.

 

As long as you get it in to the hub you’re good.

 

If I can see oil on the dipstick I'm all good.

 

Well if it’s so simple why can’t you read the dipstick?

Your questions can be easily answered.
But..

 

Pretty much what she said.
Tacoma dip stick can be difficult to read

 

Use this trick

 

Lol nope

 

Problem? Works fine. Even just holding a white towel behind the stick will help you see the level better.

Wait until 0W-16 becomes the norm. That shit will be really hard to see.

 

Try leaving the dipstick out for 10 minutes then put it back in and check your oil. You only get one chance doing it this way.

And 6 quarts is what the service department put in my '16 SR5 4 cylinder also. This '19 if I go in for my 1st oil change and they insist on rotating my tires I'm getting in my truck and have a local car repair shop change my oil. I'll be lucky to have 3500 miles on my truck after 1 year ownership. No need to beat my lug nuts up.

 

I’ve read a few TacomaWorld threads in full on this topic and now I have “THE ANSWER!” For an accurate reading, run your truck for a bit to get it to operating temperature (when temps increase stuff expands so nice always been told to check oil on a warm engine.) Pull the dip stick, wipe it off, and let it sit for 5 minutes or so to let the oil drain down to the pan and out of the dip stick tube. Grab your stick, get it started in the tube, then before you get too deep, thrust it all the way in until it’s fully inserted, and pull it out immediately. With the end pointed down, quickly set it down on a blue shop rag paper-towel, and rotate it once so you can see the wet oil mark on the rag compared to the oil level markings of the stick right next to each other.

If anyone is interested, I’m willing to take some pictures or something to assist with this. It can be frustrating. I also made cross hatched etching on the tip of my stick which wasn’t totally necessary after using the method above.

 

thanks for the double post

 

I guess I will need to try this next time. I have pretty good eyes and have tried roughing up the dipstick surface, but still have trouble reading it.

 

Why do you think they call it a DIP stick .

 

I have staff that read my dipstick