Oil amount

[jdeaton]

well i usually just add oil until im about 3/4 up the dipstick. Well this time i bought a 5 quart jug and 2 quarts. I added 6 2/3 quarts and the oil was just above the bottom of the dipstick. Is this normal? I read something about a dipstick recall a while back... do you think this could be teh problem? If so, what should i say when i go to teh dealership? Just give them my vin and ask them if theres a recall for it?

[David Jones]

I know my dipstick is not correct. From memory, my engine holds 6.5 quarts with new filter. If I add the required amount the oil is about 1/2 way up (down?) the dipstick. After stressing over that for a while I filed a mark on the stick to the correct level and use that.

As far as a recall, you could just call the service dept. Have your VIN number ready and they should be able to fill you in.

[Tundradrenalin]

Originally Posted by jdeaton

well i usually just add oil until im about 3/4 up the dipstick. Well this time i bought a 5 quart jug and 2 quarts. I added 6 2/3 quarts and the oil was just above the bottom of the dipstick. Is this normal? I read something about a dipstick recall a while back... do you think this could be teh problem? If so, what should i say when i go to teh dealership? Just give them my vin and ask them if theres a recall for it?

the only thing I can find on the dipstick recall you're mentioning was this:
There is a possible problem with the dipstick in the 2000 model year Tundra being too short to reach the oil levels properly. The stock oil capacity is 6.5 quarts. If you fill to that level, your dipstick may not show the proper level.
The fix for this is to order a 2001 model year Oil dipstick. Part number is 15301-50101. Cost is roughly $15.


Otherwise, there is no official document from Toyota regarding a dipstick recall.

[HOGWILD]

I called Toyota about the 6.5 Qt with filter and told them it never filled my engine to the full mark on dipstick and they told me that the 2 dots on the dipstick represented 1.5 Qts. Did not say anything about typo or maybe i had wrong dipstick? My 06 DC has gotten 7 full Qts at all oil changes since new and has alwways brought it up to the top dot on stick! I am happy calling it a typo myself cause i do not like open oil bottles setting around.

[jaywhy]

Originally Posted by HOGWILD

I called Toyota about the 6.5 Qt with filter and told them it never filled my engine to the full mark on dipstick and they told me that the 2 dots on the dipstick represented 1.5 Qts. Did not say anything about typo or maybe i had wrong dipstick? My 06 DC has gotten 7 full Qts at all oil changes since new and has alwways brought it up to the top dot on stick! I am happy calling it a typo myself cause i do not like open oil bottles setting around.

Same with me, thats why i always dump my leftover oil down storm drains


*kidding*

[Big_Al1]

me too if you dump 7 in oil level will be exactly to top line on dipstick.and you won't have a half qt sitting around.

[MOREPOWER]

Originally Posted by jdeaton

well i usually just add oil until im about 3/4 up the dipstick. Well this time i bought a 5 quart jug and 2 quarts. I added 6 2/3 quarts and the oil was just above the bottom of the dipstick. Is this normal? I read something about a dipstick recall a while back... do you think this could be teh problem? If so, what should i say when i go to teh dealership? Just give them my vin and ask them if theres a recall for it?

When you say "the oil level is just above the bottom of the dipstick"
do you mean, the level is just above the end of the stick, or just above the lower hash mark?

Oil filter size has a bearing on the dip stick reading.
With my truck if I use the OEM Toyota filter 90915-YZD3, and add 6.5 qts the level is just above the middle of the two marks.

If I use the over sized oil filter "Napa Gold 1515" or "Purolator PL30001" these are 1 qt filters, and I can dump the full seven qts and the oil level will be right between the two has marks.

Note run the motor 5 min then let it sit a while before checking the level.
I wouldn't sweat it if the level falls in between the dip stick marks.

My 2¢

[darren_nh]

I have a 2000 and was part of the "recall". Toyota sent a new dipstick to my house with prompting sometime in 2001. I think they would have it right by 2006. However, I use 6.5 quarts of Mobil 1, and that fills to the top line on my trucks dipstick.

[apimpdad]

I put in a full 7 quarts of mobil 1 synthetic each time i change it. I use the stock size oil filter. Sometimes you have to let it run down to the oil pan to get a good reading on the dipstick.

[c5engineer]

Just did my eighth oil change on my 06 Tundra yesterday, and as usual I put in about 6.5 quarts, but that puts the level between the two dots. Then I drive it for a day and add the other 0.5 quarts and it usually sits just below the upper dot. Never had a problem and oil pressure has always been great!!!

[David Jones]

I prefer to use the amount Toyota recommends.

[mmulcahy1]

6.5 Quarts of oil, here. I don't want to risk putting too much.

[Cian]

6.5 qts here too with a Toyota oil filter. Seems pretty unanimous. Puts it right in the middle of the marks.

[BigGreenUGA]

Same here with the 6.5 and OEM filter. And do let it run for a little and cool, then measure again.

[Heatwave]

Originally Posted by mmulcahy1

6.5 Quarts of oil, here. I don't want to risk putting too much.

I pour in 7 quarts at every oil & filter change. There's nothing to risk. The little bit of extra oil isn't going to raise the level in the oilpan to the point that the crankshaft is going to foam the oil, and it isn't going to cause pressures in the oil alleys to increase. This is a non-issue.