Dip sticks sucks

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It would probably be more simple to get a pair of reading glasses.

What year vehicle? My '08 is easy to read.
 
Try using a scotch bright pad or sand paper and rough up the area between the dimples. That should allow the oil to adhere to the stick where it's roughed up making it easier to read. Some of us have old eyes so I can see where the complaint is legit and no need to be made fun of.
 
Author of topic is right! I think it depens on what you are used to. If you had 2 toyotas before it is no problem for you, BUT...
I have VW. And then I bought 4R. It took me some time to figure out what is oil level on 4R. It is just another thing missed by toyota engineers. IMHO.
 
Reading the dipstick on my Harley is almost as bad as the oil splashes all over the stick making it hard to figure just where the oil level is. Guess you need to keep dirty oil in your runner if you really want to see it better. (JK) But that's where the real problem lies. The tube the stick sits in is too small a diameter making the oil stick to tthe inside of the tube. Wiping the oil off the stick and reinserting it doesn't help much because the oil on the tubes transfers to the stick. Doing as I suggested in roughing up the area between the dimples makes it easier to see if there's any spaces inbetween the oil sticking to the stick. Sheesh that was a mouth full. Sorry for the rant. Hard for me to explain things sometimes. BTW the rougher the better.
 
hoggy said:
Try using a scotch bright pad or sand paper and rough up the area between the dimples. That should allow the oil to adhere to the stick where it's roughed up making it easier to read. Some of us have old eyes so I can see where the complaint is legit and no need to be made fun of.
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:iagree: I have done this on more than one vehicle.
 
hoggy said:
But that's where the real problem lies. The tube the stick sits in is too small a diameter making the oil stick to tthe inside of the tube. Wiping the oil off the stick and reinserting it doesn't help much because the oil on the tubes transfers to the stick.
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would this cause fluctuations in the oil level on the stick? One time I will check it and it will look fine and another time it will show a lower level.
 
The easiest and best way to check it (if you're having that much trouble reading the stick) is to just check your oil before starting you vehicle before driving it after sitting over night.
 
Mine's crap too. I figure the reading gets smeared in the tube as the stick's pulled out. So here's what I do. Wipe it clean first, then shove it in fast and pull it out fast! Sounds naughty, but it works for me.
 
colombo said:
Author of topic is right! I think it depens on what you are used to. If you had 2 toyotas before it is no problem for you, BUT...
I have VW. And then I bought 4R. It took me some time to figure out what is oil level on 4R. It is just another thing missed by toyota engineers. IMHO.
Click to expand...


...cause those VW engineers are pure awesomeness buttons...

Oh, must add .... IMHO.
 
:bravo: 08 v6 and I can't read mine either. I just figured it was me.

I can see the hash lines but for some reason the oil smears across the dipstick on its way in or out and you can't tell where the level is at. Its all over the place.

truckmike26 said:
...then shove it in fast and pull it out fast! Sounds naughty, but it works for me.
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I'll have to try putting my dipstick in and out really fast as suggested. :girl:
 
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Never really had a problem with reading mine, but I have been reading all sorts of dip sticks in many different vehicles for 40 years or so. I find that waiting for morning, or letting vehicle sit for a while works best. I remove stick, wipe it clear with clean rag, reinsert and remove it to take reading. In some cases you will get a smear from oil inside the tube, I always check both sides of the stick when taking reading to verify it, and if necessary I repeat the process until I get a 'good' read. I have read that some people have painted the end of the dip stick to make it easier to read. An option that might work, but I would be careful what type of paint to use.
 
I put 5 liters into my v6 4runner and it shows to much. Is this right ?.Do i have to drain it a little bit?:(
 
szaq said:
I put 5 liters into my v6 4runner and it shows to much. Is this right ?.Do i have to drain it a little bit?:(
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It depends on what you mean by 'too much'. If the reading is only 1/8 - 1/4 of an inch above top HOT mark (and you are taking reading when engine is up to operating temp, shut off and allowed to stand for 5 min or so on level ground) them IMHO I wouldn't worry about it. Any more than that, you might want to drain a bit.
 
I have always done 5.5 quarts per fill, and I never check the oil level, because like you said the dip stick is useless.

I seem to drain out about 5.25-5.4 quarts each time. I am guessing I burn about 1/8-1/4 a quart? Anyways have never had any issues.

I also learned a trick to start the car after all the oil has drained for about 5 seconds, it flushes out whatever is in the pump. ( 5 seconds ONLY :lightsaber: )
 
truckmike26 said:
Mine's crap too. I figure the reading gets smeared in the tube as the stick's pulled out. So here's what I do. Wipe it clean first, then shove it in fast and pull it out fast! Sounds naughty, but it works for me.
Click to expand...

Seriously, it's a PITA but this technique works for the V6.

Oh, and IMHO, risking engine damage isn't worth draining out an extra 100 mL of oil. To each their own.
 
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The best way I have found to check oil is to run the engine anywhere from 5 seconds to operating temperature (I reccomend the latter) and then turn the vehicle off, let it sit a couple second and check the oil. You want all the oil in the vehicle to fill up the gallies, passageways, lines, and pump as it would be under operating conditions to get the most accurate reading. (Much like the way you want to shift into all the gears and back to park when checking transmission fluid)

Now something I haven't seen mentioned when you guys check your dipstick is that you are following these tips:

-Don't hold the pointing down, always horizontal
-Turn it over slowly, you want to see the most consistent streak of oil on the dipstick, meaning no little empty spots, nice consistent coating.
-Oil expands when heated, take this into consideration when checking your vehicle hot or cold.
-Wiping the dipstick and then reinserting it a couple times helps.

Every vehicle splashes oil and the dipstick gets coated in oil, its just how it is... if it didn't happen then the oil wouldn't have a purpose.
 
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