My Toyota dealer states that the way to check engine oil level is to remove dipstick, and within 30 seconds, wipe, insert, remove, to get accurate reading. Owners' manual says to wait 5 minutes. When I follow owners' manual instructions, the oil level shows as over full.:frown What say you?
Oil Level
dadrett41
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My Toyota dealer states that the way to check engine oil level is to remove dipstick, and within 30 seconds, wipe, insert, remove, to get accurate reading. Owners' manual says to wait 5 minutes. When I follow owners' manual instructions, the oil level shows as over full.:frown What say you?
Owners manual. I check mine before starting in the morning. That gives consistent readings.
The other method goes waaay way back to when gas stations (all full service back then) opened your hood and checked the dipstick while filling your tank. They sold a lot of oil because it most always showed low.
The other method goes waaay way back to when gas stations (all full service back then) opened your hood and checked the dipstick while filling your tank. They sold a lot of oil because it most always showed low.
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I always check mine after sitting overnight or several hours.
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I always check mine in the morning before starting my Rav. This gives the best reading as to whether you need to add oil.
I have a question regarding what most are experiencing regarding oil usage as the Rav ages. I have a 2011 I4 with 90,000 miles ,which I purchased new and , have notice it is down a quart at near 4,000 miles. Up until about 85,000 miles I would go between oil changes (5,000 miles) and use no more than a 1/2 quart.
IMO it's not normal. It's probably fine if you watch it, but no engine should burn oil.
Check the 4.3 forum and see what they say.
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Did anyone read his post? He is not asking how long the motor needs to be off before checking, he is asking how long the dipstick should remain in before removing it (after he wiped it and re-inserted it).
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Does it really matter how long it takes between removing the dipstick and putting it back????
As long as the car has rested for at least 15 minutes you can check the oil level.
OP probably worded it wrong or mistyped it or did not understand what the dealership told him....
From Manual.
"Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than 5 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the bottom of the engine."
Yes, it does matter on moden (2005+) Toyotas.
Newer models tend to drag oil up the dipstick tube when you remove the stick.
Remove, wipe, insert, and remove frequently shows a "phantom" smeared reading above the actual level, making it hard to read the actual level, particularly when the oil is new and not yet discolored.
Withdraw the stick, and wait a few minutes for the oil to run back down the tube, then insert and remove. You'll get an accurate reading.
5 minutes is more than enough, 3 minutes is probably fine. Use the time to check your air and top up the washer reservoir.
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Now we need to wait another 5 minutes after removing the dipstick for dipstick tube drain? LOL.....So checking oil is now a 10 minute job? I think not. Wait a couple minutes after running engine and check the oil as fast as you like. Ignore the drops or smears and look for the 100% wet area on dipstick. Do it both ways and you'll see the same result. NOW you know and don't need to take anyone's word for it.
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First time I hear this. On a level surface, I just remove, wipe, put it in, check both sides to see which is lower.
If I just do an oil change at home, I will wait a few minutes between addition of "top-up" amounts to avoid those "phantom" readings.
Yep, I count the lowest area with oil all the way across the dipstick as the actual level. That way you'll get the same reading regardless of how many times you dip it or how quickly.
Lol no way would i wait 5 minutes hanging onto a dipstick.
pull, wipe, shove in, and pull. Lol, no wait is needed
pull, wipe, shove in, and pull. Lol, no wait is needed
I should have been more clear about this. Dealer states if you wait "too" long to take reading oil that accumulates in upper engine drains done into crankcase and causes oil level to rise. This of course would show oil higher on stick'
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My oil level mark is about the same when checking with cold engine or few minutes after hot engine shut off. Same with my other cars.
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I suggest you do it both ways and see that the difference is minor. If the oil is on the "full mark" after the car has been sitting, it will be just a bit under that after warmed up and drained a minute or 2. Neither situation would someone need to add oil. The car is designed to check after all oil has drained down, so the dealer is full of crap (not surprising IMO).
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