can't read dipstick
- Thread starter razerface
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
BlueHenT4R
New member
There's definitely some art involved in reading it. It's easier once the oil darkens a bit and also after the truck sits overnight. When I change the oil (I also have V6), I just dump a 5 quart jug in and worry about fine tuning the level the next day. Even then, this is a tough dipstick to read. For lack of a better word, the oil pattern on the dipstick is "blotchy". Sometimes it takes a couple of dips and looking at both sides but I can usually get a solid level line with some luck.
This is where I miss my diesels. Diesel oil turns BLACK almost immediately.
This is where I miss my diesels. Diesel oil turns BLACK almost immediately.
BlueHenT4R
New member
You have V8. Maybe it's a V6 thing? I've had at least a dozen cars/trucks, and ruling out the elementary, this is still a tough dipstick to read.
obviously,,,
i am 58 years old,,,i have checked thousands of dipsticks, none while the engine was running,,,,,this one is terribly hard to read.
Joseph_Conrad
New member
No advice, just agreeing, the dipstick is unusually hard to read on my 4runner.
nevada
Senior Member
yes, I have the v8. perhaps they are different...
well that's great.
I had no way of knowing old, or how experienced you are.
you would be surprised at how many people think the engine needs to be running to check the oil, or OTHER ridiculous things about automobiles.
YotaDriver
New member
I checked the oil in my V6 yesterday and was thinking the exact same thing. Impossible to tell if you've been driving it that day.
TechWrench
Senior Member
While it is a somewhat difficult dipstick to read, I have had my best results when I completely 'dry' the end of the dip stick with a CLEAN cloth. I wait at least 5 min. after shutting off engine, before trying to get a reading. When I am ready to take a reading, I pull the dipstick, clean the top of the stick where the 'O' ring seal is, and use a bit of the oil from the bottom of the stick to lube the 'O' ring before re-inserting it. I make sure the stick is fully inserted, and then remove it slowly, holding onto the stick close to the tube so it doesn't whip about when the tip clears it. Checking both side of the stick, I can usually get a good reading. If not, I repeat the process until I do. I have never had it take more than 2-3 tries, but maybe I am just lucky.
gm350reratliff
New member
In order to get a clear reading, I have found it best to check the oil after the vehicle has sat for a long time (like over night). Read the level when you first pull the dipstick. Just about every vehicle I've owned has been this way.
BlackWorksInc
New member
Honestly you want to talk about a pain in the ass dipstick to read? Nissan V6 engine's dipsticks are worthless...
Check Oil Level 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner - 2008 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0L V6
Check Oil Level 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner - 2008 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4.0L V6
fullboogie
New member
LOL! I'm so glad you posted this, because I was too much of a chicken to admit the same thing. My V6 is impossible to read for the same reasons you stated. The oil smears all up the dipstick. The last time I changed my oil I must have removed the thing, wiped it off, stuck it back in and checked it again 30 times over a few days. At some point I just said screw it.
My wife REALLY IS smart. That being said, years ago she came to the airport with me and waited in the car while I was taking a flying lesson. When I returned about an hour later I tried to start the car and the battery was dead! She had run the air conditioner in the car without starting the car! She did not know the car had to be running for the A/C to work and to charge the battery.
A/V1
New member
Definitely agree there! Not only that, I have to remove the front passenger wheel to get to the filter on my Maxima every time I do an oil change.
Check this link out....paper towel trick works everytime !!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMKeFspGKbk
Well, here I am trying to read the oil dipstick of my 2016 4Runner SR5 with 5725 miles on the OD. Thanks for the thread and the info.
I tried to read the dipstick last week, but alas there was oil everywhere up and down the stick, but only on one side. The other side was splotchy, but oil only up to the second "DOT" mark on the stick, so I took that as a "GOOD" oil level.
Yes I've been checking dipsticks for decades: 1) car on flat surface; 2) engine off for at least 5-10 minute (overnight) better; 3) clean dipstick with rag; 4) reinsert and check oil level.
Last week, when I followed this procedure about 10 times, the stick on one side, was covered with oil about 10 to 20 times above the second "DOT". The other side was slightly cleaner, but I felt the reading was still dubious.
Here's what I learned today. Did 1) and 2) above with the engine off overnight. Then pulled the oil dipstick AND WITHOUT cleaning it with a rag, I checked the oil level. WOW! There was a nice clean level on both sides of the stick. I suspect overnight, the oil on the dipstick has a time to flow down the dipstick to leave a clean reading.
But today when I cleaned the dipstick and reinserted to get 2nd, & 3rd readings, one side of the dipstick had oil way past the 2nd dot and the other side gave a cleaner reading.
I tried TechWrech's idea in Post #11 of cleaning the o-ring at the top of the dipstick, but I got the same result- oil everywhere on one side of the dipstick.
I tried to read the dipstick last week, but alas there was oil everywhere up and down the stick, but only on one side. The other side was splotchy, but oil only up to the second "DOT" mark on the stick, so I took that as a "GOOD" oil level.
Yes I've been checking dipsticks for decades: 1) car on flat surface; 2) engine off for at least 5-10 minute (overnight) better; 3) clean dipstick with rag; 4) reinsert and check oil level.
Last week, when I followed this procedure about 10 times, the stick on one side, was covered with oil about 10 to 20 times above the second "DOT". The other side was slightly cleaner, but I felt the reading was still dubious.
Here's what I learned today. Did 1) and 2) above with the engine off overnight. Then pulled the oil dipstick AND WITHOUT cleaning it with a rag, I checked the oil level. WOW! There was a nice clean level on both sides of the stick. I suspect overnight, the oil on the dipstick has a time to flow down the dipstick to leave a clean reading.
But today when I cleaned the dipstick and reinserted to get 2nd, & 3rd readings, one side of the dipstick had oil way past the 2nd dot and the other side gave a cleaner reading.
I tried TechWrech's idea in Post #11 of cleaning the o-ring at the top of the dipstick, but I got the same result- oil everywhere on one side of the dipstick.
