Can't "SEE" my oil <> Why?

Sigh. Just hold the dipstick so that you can see light reflecting off its surface. Then you can see where the dipstick is wet and where it is dry.

 

Do you ever have a sunny day in Oregon? Wait for one of those, then hold the dipstick in the sunlight, reflect the light into your eyes, then you can see where the fluid level is.

Or, maybe the level is really too low and that is why you don't have any oil on the dipstick?

 

Yes, the dipstick check is really tough to do, if you don't have enough available light. Maybe a flashlight would help?

The good news is that the Prius engine works efficiently so that the engine oil is slow to become contaminated with combustion byproducts. The bad news is that the relatively clear oil is hard to see if you aren't able to see reflected light in the dipstick...

Have you solved the mice problem; or do you still find evidence left by your little friends from time to time?

 

Yes you're not alone. I also find the new oil so near transparent that it's difficult to see on the dipstick.

Funny story, the first time that my wife had the Prius serviced at the dealer I of course had to check that they'd done the oil properly. So after she drove it home I pulled the dip-stick and was horrified, "those dumb %^@@#s have forgotten to put any oil in" I yelled. Haha, a few seconds later, after very carefully examining the dip-stick at various angles I finally saw it, so pale and near transparent but at least it was there, phew!

It didn't help that it was 1/4" overfull and I wasn't really looking for the transistion above the full line. Anyway I was so relieved that it did indeed have oil that I wasn't too concerned about the overfill.

BTW. When I fill my older car at home the oil I use is a very light honey color and I can usually see it ok even when new.

 

Question. It is suppose to be important to get high milage to not overfill oil. When the dealer overfills, does one loosen drain plug and drain out some of the oil?

 

Too much oil will cause drag on the crankshaft and foaming.

If you have a too much oil you can either remove the drain plug and remove some but I think it will come out too quickly. I would drain the oil from the oil filter. It will only allow a limited amount to come out. Retighten, run engine, shut off. Check level.

 

Yeah some people do remove some oil when this happens but I didn't bother. If it was over a 1/4" then yes I would bother (and complain to the dealer) but the 1/4" doesn't seem to hurt too much. Well I'm still getting 4.3 L/100k (54 MPG) so it cant be too bad.

Actually it's been nearly 8000km since that oil change and I haven't rechecked it yet. So I think I'll check it again in the next few days and see if I can detect any consumption. Maybe it's used the extra oil by now.

 

Buy a nice LED flashlight??
.
_H*

 

i have always had difficulties checking the level as well. i usually do about 3 "dips and wipe" and kinda average the results... ya, i know; really stupid to admit that on a public forum.

on my 04, i actually went as far as pumping oil out to see if the level changed.

 

In addition to the trick of using light reflecting from the dipstick surface to tell where it is dry and where it is wet with oil, I found that it is much easier to see the oil if you check the oil when the engine is cold, as opposed to checking it after a long drive and the engine is still hot, because the viscosity of the oil is higher at lower temperature and you get a much thicker coat of oil on the dipstick and it would be that much easier to see. Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

which is correct?
checking oil when engine is cold or warmed up ?

 

You'll see the maximum dipstick reading when you check the oil level while the engine is cold and has rested overnight. If you check the oil level after the engine has run, some amount of oil coats the cylinder head and valve train, and this will take a while to drip back down into the crankcase.

Hence I would say it is correct to check the dipstick when the engine is cold and the car is resting on a level surface. However it is more important to periodically check the dipstick when it is convenient for you (buying gas for example), than to wait for the perfect moment when the engine is cold.

 

hmmm, i thought u checked it when it was warm because of expansion?

 

I got one of those syringe-like things they sell for measuring 2stroke oil for small engines and attached that to a quarter inch clear plastic tubing. You can feed that down the dip stick hole and pull the plunger back to suck out a syringe full. 4 full syringes will take it down from a quarter inch high. I just bought a little pump thing that attaches to an electric drill that I may try next time.

I'm close to my next 8 Mm oil change, so if they screw it up again I can try the new pump.

 

If you're blond, you don't check the oil level. Just wait until the low oil light comes on or the ICE stops running.
:cheer2:

 

Admittedly, it is difficult. I just take the dipstick over to my magnifying light.

 

Hi BAllanJ, I don't know what size your syring is but I'm interested in approximately what volume of oil that "4 full syringes" totals. Is it about a cup full (250mL) or is it more/less?

Thanks.