Oil dipstick problem or too much oil in engine?

Keep in mind that there are good techs and bad techs at any place. Lube/maintenance techs are usually the bottom of the barrel and is a starting point for most. Supposedly they are "Toyota trained technicians" but one dealership by my house have some of their service bay that can be visible from the waiting area. I've watched some of the techs figure out which bolts were needed to be taken out in order to get to the oil cartridge canister on a prius and a 5th gen 4runner. I also saw another tech know exactly what he was doing. Checked air pressure, brakes and even checked all the lights were functional. He even wiped down the top of the engine/cover.

 

like I said, my main concern was any possible damage that could occur, I was always told too much oil is bad for motors, but some people are saying this is fairly common with these motors

 

Too much oil in the crankcase will aerate and can damage the main bearings.

 

you have some wiggle room before boom...

 

I never changed oil in the prius so I was assuming there were bolts just like on the 5th gen as part of the plastic and skid plate underneath needs to be removed to get to the oil cartridge canister.

For those who have not had the pleasure of changing a cartridge filter, there's a tad bit more steps involved.

 

That's why I said check it with the engine running.

There is room and that isn't near enough to be concerned.

 

More than likely the tech dialed in the correct amount of oil for the refill, but was rushed and did not let the dirty oil fully drain out. It is a common problem with fast lube joints, but if the dealer tech gets paid by the job the same problem would apply.

 

Thats whats scary, you had no idea WTF they were doing, and neither did they.

 

Took my 2015 for the first oil change and the mechanic must have had a big ass belt buckle on, He scratched and gouged my grill, took four more trips back to the dealer for them to get the correct part to replace it.

 

1. NEVER TAKE YOUR TACO TO THE DEALER
2. CHANGE YOUR OIL AND TIRES
3. WINNING

 

Crazy

 

I run mine right at the full mark. I have done all my own changes (7 so far) and it takes 4.9 to 5.0 liters with a filter change. The book says 5.2 but this is only a reference - the dipstick should be the last word.
FYI - unlike most dipsticks, our 4.0 is 1.5 liters between add and full. Most are 1.0 liter. You could add as little as 3.5 and still be at the add (not that I recommend it).
I add 4.5, change the filter, start, turn off, wait, adjust using the dipstick.

OP that is a little higher than I personally could live with if I did it myself. I would dump a little. I agree with others that this is probably not high enough for the crank to hit the oil and froth it up which could hurt the plain bearings, though.

 

Some think the dip stick is off but if that was the case you'd think in 10 years toyota would addressed it. I just use 5qts... looks perfect on the dip stick and never had an issue. One thing for sure... it's always better to be a hair on the low side than high. The chiltons and toyota manuals both give the same amount (5.5) but chiltons mentions that it's reference only... you add as necessary to bring to the appropriate level. Same thing for gear oil capacities.

 

The dip stick is never that clearly marked for me.

 

Put in first gear, accelerate up to max speed for that gear......hold it for 1 1/2 hours. The level should drop.

 

Not better to be on the low side if the owner's engine has the shallow upper/lower oil pans. Spun bearing and rod knock will be in the certain future.

 

you would think....

 

sorry, i should have been more clear... a hair under the full mark on the dip stick

 

If it starts leaking oil on your crank seal Area (arrow in picture) than you'll know that overfilling with too much oil could have caused seal damage.