Oil dipstick

While not impossible to read the oil level on these dipsticks, I do agree that when compared to others the Tacoma's does seem janky. Perhaps a wider diameter tube/dipstick would help alleviate the issue, and I don't think the tube bends are helping matters either (but that's all wishful thinking). Regardless, like others touched on it helps to check it under the right light/angle, allowing oil to settle, reading oil line across dipstick (not on edges), etc.

 

For those of us with aging eyes, I have the safety glasses with the bifocals in them. I use them all the time. My wife picks on me about it but I'm the safest person in the neighborhood. I even wear them when I'm eating steak and have to cut around some fat.
I'm always the best prepared for a food fight!
Without them, I can't read clean oil on my dipstick very well either. I usually just check mine in the morning, before I start the engine.

 

That's rude

 

The problem is not the dipstick, it's the oil getting dragged up into the tube when you pull it out. If you check it a few times in a row it gets messier and messier.

Like jimmyh said, pull the stick out and wait a few minutes. Stick it, check both sides in the light..

Another little tip: if you think you're seeing the level/line but aren't sure, insert the dipstick but stop short about 1/2 inch before its seated. Pull the stick out and see if the "line" has moved down the same distance

 

I can’t add much.
I check mine in the morning after it has sat all night.
Pull it out, wipe it off.
Stick it in, pull it out, and check it.

So far, that’s what has worked for me.

 

Make sure you have good lighting. Whenever I pull mine it's always somewhat smeared, but if I tilt it just right into the light I can see a definitive level line in the smear. And I always check two or three times in a row to make sure I'm not just seeing things.

 

On my ‘15, it was the passenger side, front bed bolt sleeve…

Oil smudging on a dipstick has been around since the beginning of the internal combustion engine. Kinda like complaining when windshield wipers get streaky.

 

Definitely true, but the Tacoma has been the worst of all the vehicles I've owned so far heh.

 

I was sitting here trying to think of something witty to say but fuck it your just a dick.

 

Lol, yes, we get some of that here. Don't sweat the keyboard warriors, there's a lot of good information and people willing to help here as well.

 

He is a real man, trippen. He has his "T" checked more often than he checks his oil - can't be too careful.

 

You don't have to be a smart ass dude. If you cannot reply in a respectable way. Move on. This is what is wrong with the world today. To much ignorance.

 

I just hit the block button and Tacomaworld becomes a better place.

 

I take my dipstick out while I go into Walmart. I leave it on the floor mat so I don't forget to put it back in. But yeah you get 1 stab at it then if you want to try again leave it out for another 10 minutes and check it again. Like 1 poster said he checks his before he starts the truck after it has sat for several hours. I do this and really don't worry unless I don't see any oil on the dipstick. True story.

 

Don’t forget the ignore feature on here. I hope more people do that so when these type need help later and get just a few responses to their question…maybe they’ll realize most have ignored them for their ignorant behavior.

 

Checking after the truck has sat and looking at both sides, that’s the key.

It’s absolutely true that it’s difficult to read the oil level when the oil is fresh.

 

You can also scuff up the backside (non cross-hatchedwith) with some course sandpaper to get a better read of the actual vs smudge line.

 

I let mine sit for a while before checking it, sometimes overnight just before I start it. I never thought of @jimmyhs' method, will have to give it a try.

 

This ^

I think you guys are taking this comment the wrong way. This is how Mr. Dog here handles it. He's just trying to be helpful.

AND bonus, having his mom read it for him means he doesn't have to get the step stool out to reach it!!

 

See I disagree. I think the trolls are funny and help keep the threads interesting.