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Check dipstick oil level cold or warm?

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bobouz

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
With every car or motorcycle I’ve ever owned, the manufacturer stated that checking the oil level via the dipstick should be done when the engine is cold. On our new 2023 RAV4 XLE Hybrid, the owners manual says to check the dipstick reading when the engine is warm.

Common sense & historical experience tells me you want all the oil resting in the sump to get an accurate reading, and that should mean a cold engine. With about 350 miles on the car, I checked it with the engine cold & it was right at the full mark. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
 
#5 ·
Skinny guy said:
Never mind. There is no big difference.
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I agree. You would think that the oil level on the dipstick would be higher when cold after the oil has drained back into the oil pan from the oil galleries and valve lifters and VVT but it's not so on my 5th gen. The level is the same hot or cold.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Tazio Nuvolari said:
I agree. You would think that the oil level on the dipstick would be higher when cold after the oil has drained back into the oil pan from the oil galleries and valve lifters and VVT but it's not so on my 5th gen. The level is the same hot or cold.
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When cold, you do get a bit more drainage. When hot you get thermal expansion. I wait about 5 minutes after shutting off to check. Maybe the extra drainage and thermal expansion are miniscule and/or cancel each other out. I'm gonna check hot then cold my next check.
 
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#7 ·
The manual couldn't possibly be wrong, could it?
 
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#10 ·
Dr. Dyno said:
The manual couldn't possibly be wrong, could it?
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I realize you are being humorous and sarcastic. For newbies who might not understand--the Owners Manual is WRONG on the quantity of oil needed as a replacement fill. The ICE engine takes 4 1/2 qts, and NOT the 4.8 qts. stated in the Manual. 4.8 puts the oil level above the full mark on the dipstick. Page 678 2021 Owners Manual.
 

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#12 ·
I tested this out with our new Limited Hybrid after seeing posted here & on the on the Car care Nut channel. I had checked the oil (cold) the morning after we brought it home and the next time we drove it, I checked the oil again 10-15 minutes after we arrived home. Both times it was exactly on the full mark. I probably checked it 2 more times (cold) & it was always on the full mark & then at 1,500 miles I changed the oil & put in 4.5 quarts. I drove it home from the shop on a friend's farm & pulled it into the garage. I checked it about 15 minutes later & it was maybe 1/16" below the full mark. I checked it again the next morning (cold) and it was still about 1/16" below the full mark. I just checked it again @ 2,270 miles for the second time since I changed oil & with a cold engine it is 1/16" below the full mark. I'll continue doing what I've done for close to 6 decades & check the oil when cold. Did I mention it takes 4.5 quarts to fill with a new filter? 4.5 quarts.
 
#14 ·
I've never heard of checking the oil level when the engine is cold. I've always read and been told that you check the oil level after the engine has reached operating temperature, shut it off and let it sit for 3-5 minutes. A cold level has always shown higher.
 
#15 ·
I don't think it matters much if it is checked hot or cold as long as vehicle is level and oil is between marks. Our cold start procedure before firing up equipment was to check all fluid levels and do a walk around, etc. before startup. Also checked hot at specified running intervals. Never noticed much difference when checked hot or cold. Between the marks hot or cold and your good to go.
 
#17 · (Edited)
bobouz said:
With every car or motorcycle I’ve ever owned, the manufacturer stated that checking the oil level via the dipstick should be done when the engine is cold. On our new 2023 RAV4 XLE Hybrid, the owners manual says to check the dipstick reading when the engine is warm.

Common sense & historical experience tells me you want all the oil resting in the sump to get an accurate reading, and that should mean a cold engine. With about 350 miles on the car, I checked it with the engine cold & it was right at the full mark. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Click to expand...
Check when cold. Oil has the time to completely settle to the pan making for a more accurate read.
 
#19 ·
Over the past several years, in my '21 XLE AWD gas model I have never detected any difference whatsoever whether checking the dipstick oil level cold ( engine off overnight) or hot (5 or 10 minutes after shutting off engine.) I also have detected no difference when checking the oil level in the summer (90 degrees F) or the winter (25 degrees F.) The oil level is also always different on opposite sides of the dipstick. One side will always be clearer in its demarcation of the level and the other will always be messy and kind of random. Both Toyota Genuine Motor Oil (TGMO) and Mobil 1 0w-16 and 0w-20 are very light colored and clear and difficult to see on the dipstick even under good lighting conditions.
 
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