[Steve V]

Well I just changed my oil again, and again I'll be damned if I can see the oil level on the dipstick. I know this is a minor issue but I find it very frustrating not to be able to know for certain if the oil is at the proper level.

Some cross hatching on the lower portion of the dip stick would probably take care of the problem.

Anyone else have this problem? Any tips?

Steve V

 

[Rhino]

Take the dip stick out.

Wait like 5 minutes for all the clean oil to drip from the dip stick tube down back to the motor. That way, the clean oil does not cover your stick and obscure the true reading.

Stick in dip stick.

Pull out and read carefully. Move your finger down from the clean end until you touch oil.

It is very hard with clean oil. I agree.

 

[samilcar]

I second the "pull dipstick out and wait five minutes" method. Even if the oil is new and really light colored, this method helps a bunch with being able to see the actual oil level.

 

[Steve V]

Thanks guys

I figured if leaving the dip stick out for 5 minutes was good, overnight would be even better. The first time I inserted the dip stick I could clearly see the oil level. The second time, not so well. This is the first vehicle I have owned where it is this difficult to read the dip stick.

My Sienna is 18 months old with only 3500 miles. I have changed the oil 3 times using Mobile 1. Consequently, the oil is very clean and very transparent. This is not making it any easier to see the oil level.

Maybe I need to get some of that purple oil. ;D

 

[topspy]

Heh, heh.....my '96 Maxima was IMPOSSIBLE (just about) to get an accurate oil level reading. Some GENIUS engineer designed the engine so that the big oil filler hole is DIRECTLY in line with the dipstick hole. You would NEVER get an accurate reading after putting oil in unless you let the car sit for at least 5-10mins or so....sometimes longer.

 

[2006SiennaLE]

Thanks guys

I figured if leaving the dip stick out for 5 minutes was good, overnight would be even better. The first time I inserted the dip stick I could clearly see the oil level. The second time, not so well. This is the first vehicle I have owned where it is this difficult to read the dip stick.

My Sienna is 18 months old with only 3500 miles. I have changed the oil 3 times using Mobile 1. Consequently, the oil is very clean and very transparent. This is not making it any easier to see the oil level.

Maybe I need to get some of that purple oil. ;D

Or leave it in longer and let it blacken a bit
Check out the oil analysis results in my signature.

You should wipe the dipstick dry and then insert it again, and read it with the reflection of some overhead light. The oily part will be shiny.
Even with a grid, it's sometimes difficult to read the dipstick with new oil, especially Mobil1 since it's almost transparent.

 

[jh818]

I typically fill the engine with the amount of oil the manual says under fluid capacity when I perform an oil change. My 07 Sienna takes 6.4 US Qts. of oil with the filter change. 0.4 qts. is 12.8 fl. oz. I'll add 6 qts. and 12 fl. oz. and I should be fine. It's easy to see the 12 oz. mark on the oil bottles.

 

[buba]

I popped a sandpaper wheel on my Dremel Tool and worked over the lower end of the dipstick. Made it a lot easier to see once the gloss was off the stamped metal. I would think 100 Grit sandpaper and some elbow grease would achieve the same results.

 

[purple]

I have a 2007 Sienna XLE FWD with 37K. I have been changing oil on my own cars for 30 years and I have NEVER had problems reading the oil level on a dip stick. This is what I do when checking engine oil 1. First of all the motor oil needs to be at operating temp. 2. Pull out dip stick and clean it with a clean rag and reinsert 3. Pull out dipstick and that should give you an accurate reading. But not on my Sienna. I get oil on the top and on the bottom of were the level should be. I recently did an oil change and I put in 6 quarts of new oil and ran the engine to proper temp and to look for leaks and a can not get an accurate reading. Any suggestions. Leaving the dip stick out for 5 minutes sounds ridiculous to me.

Any Ideas

 

[steelcity]

I am glad I'm not the only one,it must go past some oil somewhere to get that oil on the stick like that kinda spread out all over the stick. On mine it seems to be reading high if I can figure out where the fill line is.

 

[schmuly]

The best way that I found is after you wipe the dipstick and insert it in, pull it out and immediately put it on a small piece of paper towel. Don't wipe, but the oil level will wick unto the paper and show the level on the dipstick. It works for me everytime.

 

[captain_pants]

I popped a sandpaper wheel on my Dremel Tool and worked over the lower end of the dipstick. Made it a lot easier to see once the gloss was off the stamped metal. I would think 100 Grit sandpaper and some elbow grease would achieve the same results.

Brilliant! I'm going to do this! I've always had to try to angle it so the light 'glints' off it just right but that's hard in low-light.

The best way that I found is after you wipe the dipstick and insert it in, pull it out and immediately put it on a small piece of paper towel. Don't wipe, but the oil level will wick unto the paper and show the level on the dipstick. It works for me everytime.

I was going to post this very thing. I roll the dipstick on the towel, the wet area clearly stands out.

Always read the lowest level of oil on the dipstick. Sometimes one side is a lot higher due to oil in the tube getting brushed onto one side of the dipstick. The lowest dry spot is the correct oil level.

 

[steelcity]

I always thought to check the oil when cold that would give it time to drain back down to the oil pan,I don't know?

 

[2006SiennaLE]

Yes, that's usually the recommended way to check oil (and on a somewhat leveled surface.)

The best thing to do is check it in the morning *before* you start your vehicle. That way, the sun is usually out and you can see the oil level if you look at it in the morning light (or whatever other light source you have in your garage).

If you pull out the dipstick and wipe it completely dry, re-insert and pull it out again, you should be able to tell the difference between glistening oil and the dry part of the stick. Look for the reflection of light on the oil part.

Another warning: If the dipstick is completely dry when you pull it out, *please* make sure that you add oil before you go anywhere. Don't take this lightly else you'll have a really heavy paper-weight soon.

 

[steelcity]

Another warning: If the dipstick is completely dry when you pull it out, *please* make sure that you add oil before you go anywhere. Don't take this lightly else you'll have a really heavy paper-weight soon.

Now that would be a nomination for a Darwin award

 

[purple]

Yes, that's usually the recommended way to check oil (and on a somewhat leveled surface.)

The best thing to do is check it in the morning *before* you start your vehicle. That way, the sun is usually out and you can see the oil level if you look at it in the morning light (or whatever other light source you have in your garage).

If you pull out the dipstick and wipe it completely dry, re-insert and pull it out again, you should be able to tell the difference between glistening oil and the dry part of the stick. Look for the reflection of light on the oil part.

Another warning: If the dipstick is completely dry when you pull it out, *please* make sure that you add oil before you go anywhere. Don't take this lightly else you'll have a really heavy paper-weight soon.

Does the manual say to check the engine oil when it is cold?

 

[HBCALI]

How much oil does the 2006 Sienna need (3.3L V6)? I changed my oil yesterday and used 5 quarts. I think the manual states 4.7L (which equals 5 qrts). Does anyone use more than 5 quarts? I agree, the Dipstick is hard to read...

 

[homer]

The best way I found is to do like you guys, sand or file the dipstick but that wasn't enough with new oil so yesterday I had the idea to make 3 additonal mark with a center punch , That looks like a mark at 3/4 of a litre, 1/2 a litre and 1/4 of a litre to add.

Why reinventing the wheel, Toyota had our solution already punched in the dipstick at the add and full mark ;-)

 

[newfie sienna]

The idea above with the marks made with a punch sounds good, one step further would be to drill holes in the dipstick after makeing the punch marks. many dipsticks come with holes in them from the factory especialy small engine/motorcycles/atv where the dipsticks are small and hard to read. there will be a film of oil in the holes which will be impossible to miss.

 

[irlandes]

Mobil-1 is very hard to see when fresh. I have learned to hold it up to the bright light, and look across it, rather than trying to see it with the dipstick as a background. As clear as it is, I can always see it that way.