How and when are you reading the dipstick? I know it's a basic question but I've got to ask.

 

are you using 0-20 oil? on my v6 its a pain to see the oil. someone else on here suggested sanding the end of the dip stick to make the oil cling to the metal. it helped me but it may not be your problem. if you do make sure you clean the dip stick of all sanding material

 

I only check the oil level when the engine is cool and no a level surface such as my garage. I remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, re-insert and remove to read the oil level. If the dipstick does not re-insert easily, I rotate the dipstick 180 degrees. I only use Mobil 1 5W-30.

 

Although it doesn't make a massive difference, the engine should be warmed to operating temperature for a more accurate reading. Also, I agree with DavidHB about roughing up the surface of the dispstick for an easier read. I've read on other forums where members have used a Dremel tool with a sanding tip to rough up the dipstick. Still, with clean, fresh oil any dipstick will be a bear to read.

 

For some reason: when you remove the dipstick, flip it over to get the reading. Not sure why it is a little easier to read on one side vs the other.

 

After your "clean" and "dip" put your dipstick upside down. The oil on the stick will pool at the top edge (bottom now) where it is then easier to read. (this only works if the rest of the stick is dry )

 

:facepalm: I thought the dealer overfilled our HL so I drained out about 2qts about 6 months ago. :facepalm:

 

I'm having the same issue with my 2011 HL. I just did an oil change and the dip stick looked way overfilled. Did the OP or anyone ever find a solution?

 

I was having the same problem with my Highlander. What worked for me was to lightly rough up the lower end of the dipstick with sandpaper. And when checking the oil I pull the dipstick out, wipe it clean, and wait about 10 minutes to reinsert the dipstick and check the oil level. I guess it's some sort of design flaw. I read about leaving the dipstick out for several minutes somewhere else in this forum a few months back.

 

+1 on roughing the bottom up, I did the same thing.

 

I would totally agree that it's hard to read. Like the surface of the dip stick forced the oil away from the flat area, or some strange phenomenon.

Next time I do some bead blasting I'm going to do the last inch or two with a super fine texture. I'm pretty sure that will help. Yes, I will thoroughly clean it before using it again.

 

Next time I do some bead blasting I'm going to do the last inch or two with a super fine texture. I'm pretty sure that will help.

Something I have been meaning to try as well.. but I think going with a super fine mixture might be wrong.. the rougher the better I was thinking.

 

My new 2014 4 Runner - 1GR-FE engine dip stick is hard to read when cold. If I let it sit overnight, the oil is not even from the bottom of the stick up to the full mark. I use the term "splotchy" to describe it.

What I've had the best luck with is to check the level when the engine is fully warmed up and parked on a level surface. Let the engine rest for 15 mins; then pull and read the stick. I see a more consistent film of oil on the stick doing it this way.

I'll also throw this out. Some have mentioned seeing the oil above the full mark after an oil change(assuming new filter as well). I've owned 4 Toyotas ranging in age from 1983 to 2014. Everyone showed/shows a reading above the full mark using the designated amt. of oil as specified in the owners manual and a new dealer filter. It's never caused me a problem.

My 2 cents.

 

If I wait 10 min after shutting off the engine to allow oil to drain out of the filler tube and down the dip stick, then pull the stick, wipe, re-insert and read, have never had issues.

On my '02 HL, I did grab my dremel and using a cylindrical grinding wheel, put light buffing perpendicular to the stick length, for about 3". Not sure it actually "helped", but convinced myself it did after going through the trouble.

 

On my '02 HL, I did grab my dremel and using a cylindrical grinding wheel, put light buffing perpendicular to the stick length, for about 3". Not sure it actually "helped", but convinced myself it did after going through the trouble.

It helped. I did the same thing, but manually scuffed my dipstick with a file. It definitely made it easier to read the oil level.

 

Ah. Okay this a way old thread. But I just had HL 2010 and dipstick shows its overfilled (about 2,3 inches). I was worried that shop overfilled it.. now after reading this Im not sure... Any solution?

 

Let the car sit overnight. Then go out in the morning, and without starting the vehicle, pull the dipstick out and read it. Do NOT wipe and reinsert; just pull it out one time and read it. Sitting overnight gives enough time for the excess oil to drain back down the dipstick tube so that it doesn't get smeared onto the dipstick as you're pulling it out.

 

According to the guy who runs The Car Care Nut channel, (he's a master Toyota Tech BTW). Says engine should be warm and sitting about 5 minutes. Stick pulled once wiped reinserted and checked.

 

It should be easy to see with that colour of used oil above. The upper area its from stuff in the tube, hence ignore. Wipe the stick insert and remove right after the top bottoms out. I never seen an issue, maybe because I been doing it for some 50 years. Move it around to get the angle and light on it.

 

Read relative to the dots. Looks low based on those pictures.