Trouble reading dipstick

[Ghostrider]

After changing the oil eveything looked fine. Added 3 1/2 quarts of dino oil and saw no leaks. Made a run to
the store and after returning I cannot see anything on the dipstick. Finaaly by holding it an an angle in the sun
I can see a line. Is there something different about reading a Prius dipstick that makes it very hard to see

[dmckinstry]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ghostrider @ Oct 29 2006, 01:16 PM) [snapback]340364[/snapback]</div>

After changing the oil eveything looked fine. Added 3 1/2 quarts of dino oil and saw no leaks. Made a run to
the store and after returning I cannot see anything on the dipstick. Finaaly by holding it an an angle in the sun
I can see a line. Is there something different about reading a Prius dipstick that makes it very hard to see
[/b]

The oil is too clean????

I'm just kidding. You got me thinking and I went out to check my oil color. It's very easy to see (a pale orangish brown color), but then it's got 4900 miles on it. Oil change is scheduled for tomorrow.

It's very full. Maybe even a mm over the full "dot". Does the full dot indicate the actual correct 3.5 quarts?

If so, it was overfilled a bit at the last oil change (at a Jiffy Lube), or was still warm enough to be slightly expanded.


Dave M.

[efusco]

I've always found the dipstick on the Prius hard to read, esp. w/ Mobil 1 since it's so clear. I always considered it a good thing....

[galaxee]

with brand new oil, the best way to see it is just what you said- reflection. make sure the stick is clean when doing it this way just to be sure.

[Ghostrider]

Well I am going crazy. I looked again after letting it sit and even with a trouble light its almost
impossible to see the new oil. Even my old Miata with a round dipstick was easier. I am going to
open the drain plug tomorrwo and see what comes out and then refill it. There isn't oil on the floor and the stuff doesn't evaporate but I cannot see it worth anything on the dipstick.

[Betelgeuse]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ghostrider @ Oct 29 2006, 11:26 PM) [snapback]340485[/snapback]</div>

Well I am going crazy. I looked again after letting it sit and even with a trouble light its almost
impossible to see the new oil. Even my old Miata with a round dipstick was easier. I am going to
open the drain plug tomorrwo and see what comes out and then refill it. There isn't oil on the floor and the stuff doesn't evaporate but I cannot see it worth anything on the dipstick.
[/b]

Good call. I hate it when my oil is too clean. <_<

[Oxo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ghostrider @ Oct 29 2006, 10:26 PM) [snapback]340485[/snapback]</div>

Well I am going crazy. I looked again after letting it sit and even with a trouble light its almost
impossible to see the new oil. Even my old Miata with a round dipstick was easier. I am going to
open the drain plug tomorrwo and see what comes out and then refill it. There isn't oil on the floor and the stuff doesn't evaporate but I cannot see it worth anything on the dipstick.
[/b]

I agree it's very hard to see when the oil is new but have you tried FEELING it with one of those little sticks with cotton wool on the end (can't remember what they're called). An oil change costs me £25 ($38?) and also uses a bit more of the world's dwindling supply so it seem a pity to change it unnecessarily,

On the subject of overfilling. Mine has been about 1 cm (0.4 inch) over the top level ever since I had the car a year ago. When I mentioned this to a Prius mechanic at a garage he said he'd never heard any other Prius owner complain. The subject of overfilling is not given any emphasis in the manual as one would expect if it were a very serious matter. I suspect that the oil in a vast majority of the Prius on the road is well over the correct level but how often do we hear of a breakdown caused by this? If overfilling really is important Toyota should give much more warning, both in the manual and on the filler cap itself.

[qbee42]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Oct 29 2006, 06:22 PM) [snapback]340379[/snapback]</div>

I've always found the dipstick on the Prius hard to read, esp. w/ Mobil 1 since it's so clear. I always considered it a good thing....
[/b]

That's an advantage for diesel engines: a half-blind one-eyed octogenarian can see the soot stained black oil on the dipstick. :P

Tom

[rfred]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Oct 30 2006, 06:46 AM) [snapback]340560[/snapback]</div>

On the subject of overfilling. Mine has been about 1 cm (0.4 inch) over the top level ever since I had the car a year ago. When I mentioned this to a Prius mechanic at a garage he said he'd never heard any other Prius owner complain. The subject of overfilling is not given any emphasis in the manual as one would expect if it were a very serious matter. I suspect that the oil in a vast majority of the Prius on the road is well over the correct level but how often do we hear of a breakdown caused by this? If overfilling really is important Toyota should give much more warning, both in the manual and on the filler cap itself.
[/b]

My limited experience with Toyota service departments has not been very encouraging. Apparently, the scenario goes something like this: the oil filling apparatus is set to four quarts and automatically shuts off when the incorrect amount (for a Prius) has been placed in the car. It is very disturbing to hear service people (writers and managers) say that, "we do that with all Toyotas." Someone needs to tell these people that the Prius is not "all Toyotas" and that, when the customer asks for 3.5 quarts of oil and that the tire pressure should be 40 pounds front and 38 pound rear the car should not come back with the oil overfilled and the tires at 32 pounds on all four tires. How are we supposed to be assured the best performance from a very refined automobile when we are treated by Toyota representatives as "everyone else."

AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!

[richard schumacher]

Try supplying your own oil. I give them three quarts exactly of Mobil 1. No worries. (But I completely agree: this should not be necessary. They should get it right themselves.)