When checkingyour oil after the dealer changed it...

[NaptownPrius]

Had a dealer oil 10k change done recently. My question is

Do you check the oil level with the dipstick jammed all the way back in like it is when you drive or just until it touches the edge of the plastic at the base of the dipstick handle?

With mine pushed all the way in it is overfilled, as the oil witness mark is above the top dot. Is that right?

Here is a picture of a good level level with the stick just touching the yellow to the tube when checked:



Here are two pics showing the different places I cold stop with the dipstick when checking the oil...

Til it touches


All the way in:

[Patrick Wong]

When checking engine oil level, the dipstick should be fully inserted and the car should be on level ground. The engine should be off for at least several minutes prior to the check, so that the oil has had a chance to drain back into the crankcase.

[NaptownPrius]

So mine is overfilled?

[Patrick Wong]

Apparently. How high above the top dimple is the oil level?

[sdtundra]

I have the same issue, i measured mine with the dipstick all the way in. My question is, i have put 1,000 miles on hte car after the oil change so i could get a good idea of the mpg hit if any. If i take it back to the dealer, will they drain the overfill? Or is it too late and will i have to live with it?

[patsparks]

Take it back and tell them you just noticed after you checked it because you suffered a loss of economy.

Yes, if the oil is over the top dot after checking the level by removing the stick, wiping it, pushing it all the way back in and pulling it out then you engine has too much oil in it.

[Bill Merchant]

You don't have to live with an overfill. Either the dealer or you can draw off some oil through the dip-stick tube without having to remove the oil plug.

[sdtundra]

Originally Posted by Bill Merchant

You don't have to live with an overfill. Either the dealer or you can draw off some oil through the dip-stick tube without having to remove the oil plug.

how would one go about doing this?

[Patrick Wong]

You would need a special pump to remove oil via the dipstick tube. Lacking such a pump, if I were DIY, I would just drain 1/2 quart from the drain plug, then check the oil level and repeat as needed.

[bruceha_2000]

Originally Posted by sdtundra

how would one go about doing this?

One goes to the local boat store and buys an oil change pump I suppose there are other places to get such things. Basically, you need a hose small enough to fit inside the dipstick tube and maybe 3 feet long. AND some way of causing suction to get the extra oil to run up the tube and into a vessel of some sort.

Back when I let the dealer screw up my oil changes time after time, it was anywhere from 1/8 to 1/4" over the top mark. 1/4" was 8 oz. If you don't want to change your own oil, the only way I know of to make SURE they don't overfill is to bring 3 1/2 quarts to them. In my car and my wife's, that plus an extra 2 oz hits the line. Especially while under warranty when you are changing the oil every 5,000 miles, 3.5 quarts is FINE, don't even need the extra 2 oz. My Prii do not use oil between changes (wouldn't hurt to check YOURS though, just in case). Toyota's specified '3.9 quarts' at the dealers (at least mine and many others here) is TOO MUCH.