1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Oil level question

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by TriniPhantom, Jul 6, 2019.

  1. Jul 6, 2019 at 9:46 AM
    #1
    TriniPhantom

    TriniPhantom [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2018
    Member:
    #267979
    Messages:
    313
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road DCSB
    Prinsu roof rack, Budbuilt Sliders, Avid Bumper Guard, MESO Ultimate Turn Signals, Door sill decals, Raptor Lights, Tailgate inserts, Mudflaps, Tri-fold Tonneau, DC Motorsports Muffler Tip, TVD Vinyl Decals, Many Interior Mods.
    When my engine is cold, the oil level is like 1/2 inch above the high mark. When it's hot, it on the mark. Is this normal/ok?
     
  2. Jul 6, 2019 at 10:13 AM
    #2
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Member:
    #229894
    Messages:
    2,140
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    When it’s cold/hasn’t ran for a while will be your true oil reading as that’s when all the oil has drained to the pan. 1/2” seems like a lot. Did the dealer or yourself do the oil changes? I would say you’re probably over and should drain some but hopefully someone else can chime in with more expertise. I’ve always measured when it’s cold and made sure it’s at the proper level. Too much oil will damage your seals and components.
     
    Junkhead likes this.
  3. Jul 6, 2019 at 10:27 AM
    #3
    TriniPhantom

    TriniPhantom [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2018
    Member:
    #267979
    Messages:
    313
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road DCSB
    Prinsu roof rack, Budbuilt Sliders, Avid Bumper Guard, MESO Ultimate Turn Signals, Door sill decals, Raptor Lights, Tailgate inserts, Mudflaps, Tri-fold Tonneau, DC Motorsports Muffler Tip, TVD Vinyl Decals, Many Interior Mods.
    Dealer did the oil change. Went to them this morning and talked to the head tech. He checked it and said it's okay. He said when it's cold, it will always be higher than warm. As long as it's on the mark when warm, that is fine. Still questioning this though.....
     
  4. Jul 6, 2019 at 10:35 AM
    #4
    Rujack

    Rujack Stop Global Whining

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2016
    Member:
    #194732
    Messages:
    2,447
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma TRD Off Road 6 speed manual
    What does the manual say?
     
    BillsSR5 likes this.
  5. Jul 6, 2019 at 10:39 AM
    #5
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Member:
    #229894
    Messages:
    2,140
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    Well thankfully Toyota provided us with a manual.

    EFE9ABB0-F7B2-4F4A-83D5-BE630CCA6BB6.jpg
     
    nick_b, Hobbs, CusterFan and 2 others like this.
  6. Jul 6, 2019 at 10:54 AM
    #6
    TriniPhantom

    TriniPhantom [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2018
    Member:
    #267979
    Messages:
    313
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road DCSB
    Prinsu roof rack, Budbuilt Sliders, Avid Bumper Guard, MESO Ultimate Turn Signals, Door sill decals, Raptor Lights, Tailgate inserts, Mudflaps, Tri-fold Tonneau, DC Motorsports Muffler Tip, TVD Vinyl Decals, Many Interior Mods.
    Yea just checked it. So according to manual engine must be at operating temp. So therefore, measuring when cold will always lead to higher reading?
     
    Stocklocker likes this.
  7. Jul 6, 2019 at 10:57 AM
    #7
    Junkhead

    Junkhead TRDude

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2019
    Member:
    #284671
    Messages:
    15,685
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Serge
    Prince George, BC
    Vehicle:
    Black 4x4 Sport MT 2018
    Some Serious Tires
    Like others said, when its cold all the oil drains to the pan. If its showing half inch above the high mark thats like half a quart of oil you dont need. I would say its definately overfilled.

    You should not see your oil level above the second dot. Too much oil is definately not good. Just my 2 cents.

    Good luck! :cheers:
     
  8. Jul 6, 2019 at 11:01 AM
    #8
    Dacon

    Dacon 2017 Tacoma TRD PRO Quikrete

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2016
    Member:
    #205354
    Messages:
    2,932
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Danny
    Gilbert, Arizona.
    Vehicle:
    2017 TRD PRO DCSB. DOP 02.20.2017
    TRD PRO Cement 2017 TRD CAI and AFE Magnum Flow Dry Air Filter Camburg KINETIK Series Billet UCA Icon LCA skid plates Icon Coilover extended travel shocks with 700# springs Icon 2" rear shocks Icon RXT leaf springs full pack (new rims and tires soon)
    Oil when cold has to be at the high mark. Been changing oils for 40 years.
     
    Robnik likes this.
  9. Jul 6, 2019 at 11:01 AM
    #9
    Robnik

    Robnik Disciplined Maniac

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2012
    Member:
    #84461
    Messages:
    6,686
    First Name:
    Rob
    Greenacres, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Base Reg Cab 2.7L 2TR-FE A340E
    Drive it to operating temperature, let sit for few minutes, check. Shouldn't be more than a few mm above the full dimple.
     
    Junkhead likes this.
  10. Jul 6, 2019 at 11:20 AM
    #10
    Rustytaco71

    Rustytaco71 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2017
    Member:
    #229894
    Messages:
    2,140
    First Name:
    John
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner
    After your next trip when you get home, let it sit for 5 minutes and go check your oil level. Report back with your findings.
     
  11. Jul 6, 2019 at 11:24 AM
    #11
    Hobbs

    Hobbs Anti-Lander from way back…

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2016
    Member:
    #181838
    Messages:
    22,351
    Yep…
    Vehicle:
    Rock Bangen', Desert Tamin', Gold Findin' Machine!
    You got a manual with yours? How did you get a manual??
     
    Vbpiper likes this.
  12. Jul 6, 2019 at 11:28 AM
    #12
    FloridaSon

    FloridaSon Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2019
    Member:
    #287615
    Messages:
    96
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    White SR Gen 3
    Some oil at the top of the engine when running may drain into the pan when off and cold, which might raise the oil level a bit. Not sure how much tho.
     
  13. Jul 6, 2019 at 11:33 AM
    #13
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2010
    Member:
    #32761
    Messages:
    7,858
    Gender:
    Male
    NW Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2016 TRD OFFROAD DCSB MGM
    Hobbs[QUOTED] and CusterFan like this.
  14. Jul 6, 2019 at 11:38 AM
    #14
    Robnik

    Robnik Disciplined Maniac

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2012
    Member:
    #84461
    Messages:
    6,686
    First Name:
    Rob
    Greenacres, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2012 Base Reg Cab 2.7L 2TR-FE A340E
    Just keep it around the full mark within a 1/4", hot or cold. Don't over think it, you'll be fine.
     
    CusterFan likes this.
  15. Jul 6, 2019 at 11:42 AM
    #15
    TD90S

    TD90S Cool as a cucumber in a bowl of hot sauce

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2018
    Member:
    #265486
    Messages:
    574
    Gender:
    Male
    GA
    Vehicle:
    ‘18 TRDOR 6MT
    The dipstick in the 3.5 is very hard to read with a cold engine. With clean oil it’s even harder. Check it hot after sitting for 5 minutes as the owners manual states.
    If it’s good hot, don’t worry about it.
     
  16. Jul 6, 2019 at 11:58 AM
    #16
    Grossomotto

    Grossomotto Complete 3rd Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2018
    Member:
    #247175
    Messages:
    8,446
    39.9526° N, 75.1652° W
    Vehicle:
    2017 4WDV6LB6MT
    With 6.2 Qts mine is in the middle when cold.
     
  17. Jul 6, 2019 at 12:18 PM
    #17
    DanoT

    DanoT Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2019
    Member:
    #294130
    Messages:
    322
    Gender:
    Male
    Victoria, B.C in summer. Sun Peaks, B.C. in winter
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD 4X4 AC OR 6M/T
    I got 2 manuals, one in the glove box, the other attached to the engine. You have to live in Canada though to get it on a TRD OR AC.

    Good thing Toyota put that note about having that rag under the dipstick when you pull it out of the engine or I might have failed at checking my oil level.:rolleyes:
     
    Vbpiper and Hobbs[QUOTED] like this.
  18. Jul 6, 2019 at 12:21 PM
    #18
    Hobbs

    Hobbs Anti-Lander from way back…

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2016
    Member:
    #181838
    Messages:
    22,351
    Yep…
    Vehicle:
    Rock Bangen', Desert Tamin', Gold Findin' Machine!
    Checking the oil is not for the layman.
     
  19. Jul 6, 2019 at 1:07 PM
    #19
    CusterFan

    CusterFan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2015
    Member:
    #164581
    Messages:
    8,936
    Gender:
    Male
    Southeastern Illinois
    Vehicle:
    Silver Sky 2019 Tacoma SR, AC, 4X2, 2.7
    If my dipstick has oil on it I'm good to go!
     
    suaveflooder likes this.
  20. Jul 6, 2019 at 1:58 PM
    #20
    Clipper16

    Clipper16 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2018
    Member:
    #259794
    Messages:
    127
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gil
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Sport ACLB Intense White Tech and Pro
    Same story, same response from the head tech.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top