Hey Scotty. I have a 2019 Toyota 4runner. I do my own oil changes and I can't seem to get a good reading on my dipstick to save my life. I wipe it off Everytime and I take it back out it has oil smeared a quarter of the way up. I've even tried letting it sit over night to let any excess oil drain down. Any suggestions?
- Sometimes it helps to wipe and dip a few times
- sometimes it's easier to read the level on the back of the stick
- make sure you get the engine good and hot first. Wait until you've gone for a long drive. This will evaporate contaminants and thoroughly mix separated oil. When you get home let it sit 5-10 minutes for the oil to drain down, but it's still nice and thin and doesn't stick to everything.
+1 for reading the back of the stick
If it only shows 1/4 up the stick, you're low on oil and risking your engine. What does your owner's manual say as to what is the correct amount of oil?
Well it's not low. The owners manual says it takes 6.6 quarts. I put in oil close to that considering every drop of oil doesn't drain out. I'm fairly certain I'm near spec. It would just be nice to get a clear reading.
I've seen this happen in several of my cars. The trick is to know what is "residual" oil, and where the actual oil level is. Look at both sides of the dip stick. Look for symmetry between both sides. One side may have more oil going all the way up the stick, than the other side, and where the symmetry ends, is most likely the oil mark. Check the oil two or three times in a row.
I don't know how else to describe it.
I understand what you're trying to describe.
There will be a distinct line on the stick where the oil layer is the thickest. It goes all the way across. This is the level in the sump.
The other oil splotches which don't span the full width of the stick are just what it scraped off the walls of the tube.
Yes! @MountainManJoe phrased my sentiments well!
One thing that helps me is to clean off the dipstick with lacquer thinner, get a paint pen (white or yellow) and color in the hash marks between the high and low marks. Makes it easier to get an accurate reading. Plus what @mmj said.