Dipstick reading

[tacorancher]

Hey guys - I had my dealer do a break in oil change and after I checked the oil level. On one side of the dipstick it was super high, but on the side it looked only a tiny bit high. I feel like a dipstick for even asking this. But is that normal? I noted this on my 22 Tacoma as well. Is it just the sale of the dip stick tube catching more oil on one side?

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[soupy1234]

Yeah, that's typical, it usually takes me 2-3 tries to get a reading that I trust.

Edit: I find it easiest to check the oil first thing in the morning before the engine has run. You are supposed to check it warm, so I wouldn't want to see it all the way to the second dimple. I like mine just over half-way between the two.

 

[tacorancher]

Yeah, that's typical, it usually takes me 2-3 tries to get a reading that I trust.

Edit: I find it easiest to check the oil first thing in the morning before the engine has run. You are supposed to check it warm, so I wouldn't want to see it all the way to the second dimple. I like mine just over half-way between the two.

It’s definitely over the second dimple no matter how I check it (though I’ve not checked it cold yet). I’ve got a siphon - should I remove some? Also, this dealership always overfills - with the last Tacoma they did the same thing and told me the machine just decides how many quarts to spit out when they enter the model into the computer. So I’m perplexed. Next step is to check it cold and I’ll report back.

 

[Miqie]

Every vehicle I’ve owned was always higher on one side. Don’t know exactly why. One thing I did was sand the dipstick with fine sandpaper to make the level stand out more. Painting it a flat black would probably be best, but I don’t know how it would last submerged in oil constantly.

 

[tacorancher]

Every vehicle I’ve owned was always higher on one side. Don’t know exactly why. One thing I did was sand the dipstick with fine sandpaper to make the level stand out more. Painting it a flat black would probably be best, but I don’t know how it would last submerged in oil constantly.

It’s annoying because before the oil change I think it was reading between the lines from the factory. Oil pressure gauge seems fine. Caps out at 3/4 bars when I floor it, a little over 2 bars when coasting at steady speed, down to almost zero when hybrid turns off engine.

Edit: I’m going to pull out dipstick and let it sit for 15 minutes so the oil in the tube drains then try it. Will report back.

 

[TacoFreak]

I have had good luck just wiping it down and trying again, until I get a consistent reading. I don't know why this is so hard, but I have had this problem on multiple vehicles, particularly the different reading from side to side.

@soupy1234 I haven't read all the manual - it is huge - but I'm surprised it calls for checking it when warm. I have seen this in other engines though but it makes this process even harder.

 

[tacorancher]

It keeps reading high. Wondering if I need to siphon. It’s about 1/8” to 1/4” high.

 

[TacoFreak]

Why don't you check with your dealer and see what they say? Is that 1/4" above the top mark on the dipstick?

 

[tacorancher]

Why don't you check with your dealer and see what they say? Is that 1/4" above the top mark on the dipstick?

I did. They gave me “oh it’s fine” routine after a 20 year old change the oil, is why I despise the dealership and why I’m going to start changing my own oil. Dealer competence is low and their give a fuck factor even lower. It should be simpler to confirm.

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