Poorly designed dipstick

Time to find a new dealer...

 

That's interesting considering my Gen II 2005 Prius gets oil changes at the local Toyota dealer and they only charge me for 4 quarts @ 2.99 a quart. Exactly 11.96 in oil per oil change even though it reads slightly high. I guess the Gen III holds slightly more oil for the 1.8L engine vs the 1.5L in Gen II.

Although I must admit I've been thinking about what to do to prevent the ever so slight overfill. I was considering buying my own oil and having them do the work but $3 a quart isn't that bad of a price. I didn't find a better price per quart in a the search I just did.

 

With the new cars I've owned, I've only taken the cars back for warranty service, but have never had a dealer do the maintenance yet. I've always kept record and all the receipts of what I've done, so the dealer can't deny the warranty.

 

Just had my 10,000 mile service two days ago. I had read on this forum about dealers overfilling oil during a change. So I checked my oil and sure enough it was about a thumbs width above the top dot on the dipstick.
I was all set to call the dealer or buy some sort of pump to get the excess oil out when I realized that I had checked the oil in my driveway, which is on a downslope. So I moved the car into the garage which is on a cement slab and I assume level. Took my dog for a long walk, came back and checked the oil. It was right on the top dot.
Lesson learned: make sure you are parked on a level spot when checking the oil.

 

^ Dealerships do tend to put that oil level on the top dot, and dealing with a customer that might neglect level checks, that's probably a good policy (sells more oil, too ). But, if you're diligent in checking oil level, and/or the car is not consuming any:

A bit lower is good, say 2/3's up from the low to top mark. Being right on the top mark means being right at the edge of overfill.

 

Thanks, great tip for the hard to see oil level.

I have used Mobil 1 synthetic oil in my rigs for over 30 years and was able to take advantage of extended oil change miles.
My 2010 Prius really amazes me with how the synthetic oil still looks almost new at 10,000 miles. Apparently the ring seal and filter systems are very effective in that little engine.

 

Our oil looks a little knackered by the time it comes out, at the the Canadian (8000km or 6mo) interval, but: the level never seems to budge. So far (knock on wood), the engine seems to be consuming zero oil between changes.

 

I'm around 4000 miles and I also find it amazing that my oil level hasn't dropped between a bit.

I don't really find checking the oil level a prob, even doing it from force of habit which is pulling it out, wiping then reinsert and check. I do it before driving off and after the car sits overnight.

 

BEST POST OF THE YEAR! Thanks, this works great.

 

And once again I find the answer to another Prius question on this forum! I pulled the dipstick, cleaned it, left it out while I ate dinner, and FINALLY got a good reading of the oil level!

Thanks so much for this awesome tip!

 

Dang yes. Just read this, tried it, works good.

 

Some vehicles tell you to check fluid levels with the engine warmed up, some when it's cold. I suppose it all depends on how they "calibrate" the dipstick to read the oil level in the sump.

 

I've never seen a lot of difference, either way. But that trick to pull the dipstick and then wait 5~10 minutes works: gives the oil time to drain out of the dipstick tube. It's like reading a regular dipstick: oil up to the level, then clean.

 

wow, i have to try this!