Oil level is a really tough read....

[RubiconSS]

Changed my initial oil at 3000 miles (I was bored) painstaking attention to detail. Put in precisely 6.4 qts after letting completely drain.
It seems High when I check it BUT the oil is tough to see and the level line is ambiguous at best.
I wonder if roughing the dipstick up with some steel wool would help the oil stick better.
I fear it seems a 1/2 qt high but I don't see how.

 

[Gerdo]

You could do some cross hatching on the stick with an engraver or a file.

 

[RubiconSS]

You could do some cross hatching on the stick with an engraver or a file.

Going to give it a try, the new oil is just too slippery on the SS stick to get a good read.

 

[1000MPH]

Stupid question but you did change the filter, right?
One side of the dipstick is impossible to read on mine, the other side is adequate.
The manual states that it is not a quart difference between hi and lo marks on the stick, what makes you think it's a 1/2 qt high? How many mm's above the hi mark?

 

[RubiconSS]

Yes changed filter and let pan drain for 30-40 minutes then added the 6.4 qts.
I'm bad with metric it seems about 1/4 inch above the dot but this stick is impossible to get a read on. I'm used to put it in/pull it out and the oil is a line across the stick. This is like a Rorschach ink blot test

Update: The fine grit sandpaper worked. The oil now reads as a line rather than just a smear on the stick. Level is good (actually about 1/16" below the dot) but just got back from a ride to get temp back up so we'll leave her alone at this point.

 

[1000MPH]

I feel your pain, it sometimes takes me 4 or 5 times. I rotate the stick a little each time to see if it helps.
1/4" shouldn't cause immediate engine damage
My first o/c from the dealer was at the lo mark, I took it back for a top up and of course they then overfilled by 1/2 an inch.

 

[Atlanta_man]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ange-5th-gen-how-lots-pics-5.html#post1103964

 

[alc9020]

I remove the dip stick wipe it and leave in the car. The next morning I insert and read. This helps because the oil in the dip stick tube drains away so it doesn't contaminate the dip stick causing false readings. Hope that helps.

 

[INDYMAC]

Most difficult dipstick I've ever read. Toyota says to read it hot a few minutes after shutdown. I prefer cold in the morning though. Oil on dipstick is always segmented and smeared, but is always present between the L and F marks. The oil does get easier to read as the oil ages though.

I've been doing long drains (two hours) and filter changes each time. 6.5 qts refill seems to put it at the full mark after about 1000 miles in service. I'll stay with that method for now.

 

[KidVermicious]

You guys are really overthinking this. If it's somewhere between the hatches, it's fine. If it's hovering around the lower line, add a glug or two. Don't sweat it.