Newbie question about reading oil dipstick

[TheShowtime]

Hey guys I was trying to check my oil today in my 4Runner and I know the oil mark has to be between the two hash marks. Hard to explain but when I take the dipstick out I have two different color marking of oil on the dipstick, one dark oil and the top of the dark oil it is very lightly colored oil. So do I read the dark marking or the lightly colored marking on the dipstick? Hope that makes sense.

 

[Ripper238]

Hmm, that's odd. Did u check it warm? Just add oil and not let it run for a few?

It should be all the same color unless something else is in the oil, which is a bad thing.

 

[TheShowtime]

I checked it 30 min after I drove it. But the engine was still slightly warm.

 

[brillo_76]

Yes should be one color. Is the dark mark sorta engrained on the dipstick? I had a Camry years ago that was seriously abused. It had an egained film on the dipstick that would not clean off. Perhaps you could send us a photo. So we can see what you are talking about. :]

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

 

[thennen]

I checked it 30 min after I drove it. But the engine was still slightly warm.

Is the light colored part At the top clear or kind of creamy looking?

 

[phattyduck]

Forgive us for being a bit pedantic...

First, are you removing the dipstick, wiping it, then re-inserting when checking the level?

Does the dipstick get fully clean if you wipe it off with a rag/paper towel?

You are looking for the highest 'mark' where the oil fully goes across the width of the dipstick (compare both sides too). That level should be between the two dots (near the top, ideally). There will (almost) always be a bit of a trail of oil above the actual oil level from it getting dragged up the dipstick tube. Also try reflecting light off the dipstick to help see the oil level if the oil is clean.

You aren't the only one having issues reading dipsticks!

One Finger Typing: Subaru dipsticks, the intertubes, and me

-Charlie

PS. Be glad you don't have a Mini. Those dipsticks are impossible to read...

 

[TheShowtime]

No nothing is mixed inside my oil I’m just having trouble reading the dipstick. I’ll take a picture of it tomorrow and post it. Thanks for all the replies.