Oil Dipstick Readings

Shiver mi timbers!

 

So has anybody sanded their dipstick yet?

 

Sounds painful.

 

Hahahaha

 

^^^ this. You need to remove the slick surface on the dip stick to see the oil on it. The oem surface is so slick and reflective it makes seeing the oil film on it nearly impossible. Emmery cloth, sandpaper or equal to remove the oem surface - then you will be able to see the oil level even with fresh 0W20. Had the same issue with my Gen3 Taco and this fixed it.

 

Appreciate your observation. The 3rd Gen Tundra gets a solid D- for the oil dipstick, sure hope the guy that signed off on that design moved on to another line of work.

 

Could someone post before and after photos after the dipstick was sanded and how it looks?

Or at least an after sanding photo?

 

Has anyone use royal purple to make reading easier?

 

Indeed, the other thing I hate about this dipstick of a dipstick is that it is almost impossible to avoid it flinging a couple of drops onto the plastic cover when you extract it.

 

I don't have pics but I sanded the dipstick with 400 grit. Went up about 1cm past the top dot. I sanded perpendicular to stick so it would hold the oil. Makes it easier to read but still a crappy dip stick and in a horrible location!

 

Scuffing the dipstick is a solution I’ve never considered. The dipstick on the 5.7 is also tough to get a reading on with brand new oil especially if it’s a lighter hue. Recent batches of Mobil 1 that I’ve bought are darker and than they used to be so it’s easier.

As far as getting a perfect reading that is meaningful every time you check, that’s not something I worry about too much anymore. If there’s oil on the dipstick between the low mark and full mark, it’s good to go. I check oil every time I put in fuel.

 

Tacoma does the same

 

Just did my 1st oil change. The dip stick is ridiculously hard to read. Filled with correct amount of oil according to the manual looks ok but I'm not 100 percent sure. I would buy a good aftermarket product if it's out there.

 

They are getting you used to not being able to check it. It will be eliminated in the next model, just like the transmission dipstick, and any gauges that help discern the engines health by reasoning.

 

the next Gen's readings will be taken from the Tail Pipe - same as the engineer that designed the Gen3's!

 

I've noticed that a lot of new cars have dipsticks that are difficult to read. What I do is just pull the dipstick out, wipe it off, and leave it out for a few minutes while you do something else (like change the oil, fill the washer fluid, etc.). Put it across the front of the grill if you're worried about forgetting to put it back in before you close the hood. After a few minutes, re-insert the dipstick and you'll get a clear reading. I guess the residual oil inside the tube that messes up the readings drips down into the pan, so it can't smear the reading.

 

I'm glad to hear I am not the only person seeing this. I have only checked oil 2-3 times, but each time I could not get a good reading and was just left with a "string of oil half way up the dipstick".

 

Anyone tried drilling a few small holes between the high and low marks? Same issue here, new oil is next to impossible to read. I know how much I put in, but I like to double check & keep an eye on it too.

 

Wipe the dip stick with brake cleaner after an oil change helps with reading, also the paper towel trick, and finally is check it first thing in the morning before startup for the best reading.

 

No, but on our First gen Tacoma I scuffed up the area with a file and it seemed to work pretty good.

 

Get the best reading by checking dipstick in the morning before starting. Takes about 7.5 qts with oil & filter change.

 

I just figured it out. Horizontal sanding marks and continue it a quarter inch past the full.

The trick is insert and remove fast. Don’t wait at the bottom.

 

I've always had good luck checking it first thing in the day before starting engine. Don't wipe the dip stick and put it back to check the level, that messes up the reading. also owners manual says insert dipstick with the two bumps on the dipstick facing the engine. No need to sand the dipstick i haven't had any issue with it

 

Drain oil, remove and replace filter with Toyota specific replacement. Refill with 7.7qts. Marvel Mystery oil. (the red stuff)… Resolves bearing failure insecurity, able to read dipstick oil level..
YOU’RE WELCOME !!!

 

I’ve used Marvel for over 40 yrs in air tools and other uses and have heard about adding it to the crankcase. How much are you adding?

 

Just a joke actually…. But when I raced two strokes, my engine builder had me running a blend of castor and synthetic two stroke blend and a couple ounces of Mavel for about an 18:1 ratio. Marvel especially for engine or new piston break in…..

 

I guess you like to thin out that oil.

 

This thread actually got me to start checking mine more often. Checked last fill up. Thanks!

 

Ditto everything in this thread about the dipstick and oil level readings for our 2024 Tundra. Had recently took it into dealer for its first Toyota Care maintenance and had the oil changed. Since then when checking the oil its always reading above the high mark. Likely due to the oil change team not paying close attention to detail. Trying to get a consistent reading from the dipstick is a challenge. Toyota needs to do something about this one for sure. The tube is so small along with the small dipstick it will always pull oil up into the tube obscuring the next read after reinserting the dipstick. We have a 2020 Sienna and an older 2013 Sienna that have much the same dipsticks. Only after the oil had darkened made it easier to read. Additionally as many mention, the oil capacity specifications per the manual are for Reference only and to follow the marks on the dipstick. Well, if you can't read the dipstick because of its poor design then how are we to get a true reading. My old diesel tractor made in Japan has the same type of dipstick which we are to simply keep the oil level between its two marks. So with the Tundra maybe its best to do the same and never fill it up to the High mark and consider anywhere between the two marks a Safe level? Another thing and I think it was mentioned in a prior post, How much oil does it take to raise the oil from the Lower mark up to the High mark? Hopefully Toyota is reading these post. Update of this message. I have read pages 472 and 473 of the FULL manual. Very detailed info of the steps to check the oil level along with how much oil is needed to raise the level from the LOW mark to the HIGH mark (1.6 qt). The oil check procedure says to have the protruding areas on the dipstick (HI and LO marks) pointing towards the engine when inserting it into the engine. WOW. That's interesting. So what happens with the stick as you push it in and it follows the windy / curvy tube on its path to the engine pan. The dipstick will naturally rotate itself to make it through all that like a snake.