can't read dipstick

[G Moto]

Dipstick does suck...

I noticed the same thing with my '07-V6. Will try to sand lightly on one side to get oil to maybe stick better. Or try checking it in AM after sitting overnight as recommended.
Glad others have observed this issue.But hey, the oil filter location makes up for it

 

[oldmansimek]

The dip stick is just about useless because it is too smooth (almost polished) I knurled the section in between the lines now I can read it perfectly. Most of you will not be able to do this so my suggestion would be to file small hatch marks or take some rough sand paper to it.

 

[aabottom]

... Again, I tried to check my oil level- total failure. On the first pull with no wipe, there was oil more than half way up the dip stick.

After wiping, and re-insert, and pull out, there was oil 20 to 40 lengths past the full level on both sides of the stick.

How do you guys change your oil and refill to the correct level?

I might have to try sanding and/or knurling the dippy dip stick.

 

[AuSeeker]

... Again, I tried to check my oil level- total failure. On the first pull with no wipe, there was oil more than half way up the dip stick.

After wiping, and re-insert, and pull out, there was oil 20 to 40 lengths past the full level on both sides of the stick.

How do you guys change your oil and refill to the correct level?

I might have to try sanding and/or knurling the dippy dip stick.

I use the dipstick to fill to the proper level but I also know how much oil it should hold to get to the correct level, I don't have any trouble reading my dipstick if the truck has been off and sitting at least 5 minutes or more, even better after sitting an hour or all night.

How long are you letting it set after turning it off and checking the level?

 

[aabottom]

I use the dipstick to fill to the proper level but I also know how much oil it should hold to get to the correct level, I don't have any trouble reading my dipstick if the truck has been off and sitting at least 5 minutes or more, even better after sitting an hour or all night.

How long are you letting it set after turning it off and checking the level?

It sounds like you have NOT read the whole thread. When I checked as mentioned in post #23, the truck had been sitting overnight with the engine off all night.

See also my post #20 for additional details on my dip stick readings.

Perhaps the dipstick on your 2004 Limited V8 works better and is not an issue.

Multiple folk have reported that years about 2005 & higher have oil sticking issues with the dipstick, making it hard or impossible to read correct oil levels using the dipstick. As stated earlier, it could correlate with V6 versus V8 engines.

Dipstick reading with my 1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD 5Speed_Manual V6 was never an issue.

 

[krravi]

Can't remember which vehicle, but the dipstick on that was perforated bright orange with a cross hatch pattern that held the oil. It was so easy to read. Wonder if someone makes aftermarket dipsticks?

 

[Drcoffee]

Shine a light across it. It helps to compare wet to dry. On mine one side is higher than the other due to the dip stick tube. Use the lower mark. And to help reflect more light back thru the oil, rough up the surface with course sand paper or a file on the last 2” of the dipstick.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

For what it's worth, in almost all cases they want you to warm up the vehicle, turn it off and let it sit about 5 minutes, then check the level with the vehicle off. In the real world, I haven't noticed that significant a difference between warmed up and cold (meaning I haven't filled vehicle to spec and when checking out hot or cold it is outside of the Low and High marks.) What is important is that you run the engine for about 10-30 seconds minimum to pressurize the oil system and fill all the galleys. It can take a couple days to all drain out into the pan, but it will throw the reading off.

If you're having an issue with seeing the oil, as mentioned above I'll take coarse and paper or a file and make my own cross hatches in-between the marks. You're looking for one uninterrupted sheen of oil, the moment it starts breaking up or becomes splotches that's the top of the oil level.

 

[deenile]

Only shot I have to get a half way decent reading is when motor is cold like over night cold still get different levels on each side of the stick I go with the lowest mark

 

[SurferUK]

I fill mine all the way to the top, just to be sure.




:bounce:
(Don't actually do this)

 

[Bluesky 07]

For what it's worth, in almost all cases they want you to warm up the vehicle, turn it off and let it sit about 5 minutes, then check the level with the vehicle off. In the real world, I haven't noticed that significant a difference between warmed up and cold (meaning I haven't filled vehicle to spec and when checking out hot or cold it is outside of the Low and High marks.) What is important is that you run the engine for about 10-30 seconds minimum to pressurize the oil system and fill all the galleys. It can take a couple days to all drain out into the pan, but it will throw the reading off.

If you're having an issue with seeing the oil, as mentioned above I'll take coarse and paper or a file and make my own cross hatches in-between the marks. You're looking for one uninterrupted sheen of oil, the moment it starts breaking up or becomes splotches that's the top of the oil level.

I was curious and checked my 07's manual, and this is spot on. Engine at operating temperature, wait a few minutes for oil to drain into the pan, then check. Posting b/c I did not realize the operating temp was part of the process.

 

[johnnygraphic]

This is one time I wish it had a sensor to tell you exactly how full/empty the oil is.

This dipstick is absolutely worthless! I'm going to try and use some Scotch Brite pads or maybe 400 grit sandpaper and see how that works.

The paper towel trick works, but if you pull the dipstick out and clean it off, it won't. You have to let the oil drain down off the dipstick first. The dipstick seems to drag oil all the way up the dipstick tube.

 

[SurferUK]

If it helps, I would subjectively say that the dipstick on the 2TR-FE is amazingly even harder to read than the 1GR-FE. Quite an achievement when you think about it.