V6 dipstick hard to read even for dealers.

I took my 2023 V6 to my local dealer for some adjustments at 750 miles since I purchased out of state to get one and had them check the oil. They said it was overfilled and drained maybe 1/2 quart and to read the back side of the stick since the front side shows more. Today I did the first oil/filter change at 1524 and measured what I drained. It was 6 quarts + 24 oz which is about 17.5 oz overfilled still. It calls for 6.2 quarts which is 6 + 6.4 oz. That means that the factory or probably the selling dealer could not read the dipstick accurately either and added an extra quart! I don't know if a dark colored dipstick like Subaru uses for their V6 would make it easier to read correctly because it seems to scrape and twist on the way in and enters closer to horizontal than most dipsticks. With new clean Toyota 0w-20 I could not tell but since I used a case of 6 plus just under 8 oz so I know it's close to spec now. I had previously tried checking the level after sitting for a few days and even that doesn't help. The dipstick needs a straighter path maybe?

On another note, he MotivX filter wrench, funnel and drain definitely makes the job easier and the wrench does not stress the plastic tabs on the filter housing. I miss the spin on Denso filters!

 

This has been going on since 2005. I tried putting cross-hatching on my 4.0L V6 dipstick, tried roughening/sanding the other side, tried every possible rotational insertion technique, slow / fast removal, ultra-slow removal, ultra-fast removal, etc. etc. Nothing seems to work. The tube is shaped in such a way that it wipes the oil on the tip of the dipstick no matter what.

 

I don't bother with the dipstick. 6 quarts, new filter, call it good. I don't really feel the need to periodically check it for any real reason.

 

I check my dipstick after the truck has sat overnight. Yes, I know I will only get one first easy to read reading.

 

Spoken like a true new-truck owner. As the truck gets older it'll be more important to be able to measure the oil level. How else can one judge oil-burning or certain kinds of oil leaks?

 

The fresh oil can definitely be hard to see sometimes. I think people scuff up the end of the dipstick to make more contrast, never tried it.

2nd Gen calls for like 5.5qts, I dump the 5qt jug in and call it good. Same with my wife's 4Runny, it calls for like 6.5qts - I dump in 6qts and close the hood.

Idk about that brand of filter wrench specifically (I just have a no-name one from the parts store), but it's amazing how having the right tools makes it so much easier......and also prevents you from breaking the housing like so many people seem to do lol.

 

Well, I do somewhat monitor it by seeing an approximation of how much comes out. Most folks and their concern over not seeing the oil on the stick is right after filling the motor which to me is illogical. Fill it with 6 quarts and call it done.

Used oil is dark enough that I have no problems seeing it, not that I feel the need to check it often and I really don't.

Contrary to your assumption though, no, I am not a new truck owner and I have owned trucks that lost oil.

 

I scuffed mine up and put a twist in the end. It seemed to help a little, but the fresh oil is so thin and so clear it is still difficult to be sure. With fresh oil, I primarily go off of oil in the top dimple on the stick after putting 6qts and change in. It seems to be easier to see oil in the dimple then even the scuffed part of the stick.

 

Works for me. Google is your friend!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMKeFspGKbk

 

Tape the dipstick at about an inch past the full mark. Use sandpaper to abrade the dipstick, both sides.

Remove tape and any residue and debris. Checking oil level will now be much easier to see.

 

Mine reads high like this and then it reads normal after it warms up and I check per the method in the manual.
1. Run to temp
2. Wait 5 min
3. Check only once

 

The technique in the video would help with new oil if the oil was staying on the stick. The used oil could be seen on blotches on the stick. I think the earlier post about the oil being scraped off when removing the stick is spot on. You can hear the scraping when inserting and removing it. The 0w-20 being so thin does help. 5w-20 is the thinnest I've previously used as my 09 Tacoma 4cyl (deceased) and an 03 Acura CL both used it. The Tacoma 4cyl does not have a problem with oil sticking to the dipstick even with fresh oil. Though the paper towel trick would have saved a little time trying to get the correct angle to see the fresh oil.

Our Subaru V6 is easy to see on the dark stick and is 5w-30 so it's obvious. It has a different problem in that the car needs to be on a very level even surface. Even the slightest incline throws the reading off a bunch. We put the recommended amount and don't worry exactly what it reads in the driveways because it's always a little off. At the gas station it reads correctly after an oil change. This car did develop a thirst for oil during break-in from about 7500 to 8500 using almost a quart. Now it uses no oil but if I could not accurately read the stick we'd have risked engine problems. This engine starts to get a little noisy being down less than 3/4 of a quart.

The MotivX kit while pricey made draining the filter clean using the fitting and hose. I think it's easier on the bypass valve than the plastic tube that snaps in supplied with the filter. The screw in funnel frees up a hand especially if you are using a 6 quart jug of oil.

 

I just saw the post about taping and sanding the stick. I had previously tried sanding a small portion of the stick on one side from just below the add mark up about 1/3 of the way to full just to experiment. It did not seem to help me.

Now I'm wondering what harm to the engine could be caused by the dealer delivering the truck overfilled by a quart and me driving it 750 miles until the local dealer draining half of the overfilled amount.

 

When I check my oil cold I try to get the level close to the upper mark. If my engine is warm I aim for the middle between the upper and lower marks. I would not recommend getting too close to the upper mark when warm.

https://youtu.be/XcznBCaiVxE

 

Works every time

 

Haven’t done this to my Tacoma, but on my last truck I marked the dipstick with a physical notch using a metal file.

T100 with a 4.7 swap. Oil pan was off an LX470, and block was from a Tundra. Drained and filled oil 1 quart short, then made a notch in the tundra dipstick. Repeat after adding the last quart.

Even with bad eyes, I had two permanent marks to gauge the oil level.

 

Did you notice foam on the dipstick?

https://vehiclefreak.com/overfilling-engine-oil-by-1-quart-what-can-happen/

 

When I changed my oil for the first time, i filled the oil filter housing, then later dumped 6 qts into my oil filler spout, and called it good.

 

Let me help you out. Check beneath your truck for leaks (gravity makes the oil drip onto the ground) and check your rearview mirror when operating your truck for telltale blue smoke to see if you're burning oil.

 

I did not notice any foaming when checking before the oil change, just that the oil on the dipstick was blotchy like it was partially wiped off. Not a constant film of oil like on a normal engine. I did not see blue smoke or any other signs but these engine are know to have a problem with leaks at the timing cover.

Since i was measuring the oil removed, I used the MotivX drain tool with the fitting and the hose to drain the filter housing into a graduated paint mixing container. The housing holds 16 oz. When I reinstalled, I filled the housing almost to the top, but did not write down what it took going by the bottle marks. It could not have taken all 16 oz because the filter element extends above the housing.