why is one side of oil dipstick different from otherside? - Toyota Yaris Forums

Yawesh · 01-15-2009, 01:41 PM

i read the lower side because it's not "smeared" up

the higher side is always smeared across the high "dot"

i guess it's because the dipstick curves through the tube, so one side is inaccurate?

YarisSedan · 01-15-2009, 03:39 PM

You are correct. Since its curved it scrapes as it goes down and up. I always flip the dipstick and take the lowest reading. Nissans especially infinitys really have this problem the worse. My shop we never use the dipstick to check the level on those cars. If you put in 3 quarts of oil and then check the level it will look like the car has 6 quarts of oil. Even though its still low. You have the let the car sit for a very long time till all the oil settles and then check it slowly.

Yawesh · 01-15-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YarisSedan

You are correct. Since its curved it scrapes as it goes down and up. I always flip the dipstick and take the lowest reading. Nissans especially infinitys really have this problem the worse. My shop we never use the dipstick to check the level on those cars. If you put in 3 quarts of oil and then check the level it will look like the car has 6 quarts of oil. Even though its still low. You have the let the car sit for a very long time till all the oil settles and then check it slowly.

thanks friend

yarisugi · 01-16-2009, 06:52 PM

What ever happend to the crosshatch and "L" and "H" indicators on the dipstick...
Now it's just 2 dots one near the bottom, one about an inch above that.
Does the top dot mean enough oil and bottom dot mean low?

TheSilkySmooth · 01-17-2009, 10:04 AM

I dont trust the dipstick too much - it is often hard to find a level area for an accurate cold reading anyway. I just ensure that all oil is drained during and OC by jacking the car in various angles whilst draining. Then I put in 3.5 litres since the other 200-300ML stay in the engine in the cam box and galleries and betwixt the pistons, etc. I gladly notice no oil loss through the 4500 mile interval therefore no need to worry about topping off unless I wish to to fortify the oil for the last 1000 miles of the oil life interval. I do promote this practice of topping off at say 3500 miles to get some good stuff back into the oil sump, since the good stuff tends to get used up throughout the interval. If you dont burn off oil in the time span, I might suggest you should drain off the requisite 1/2 litre you had reserved from the initial sump fill for top off and replenishment. Good driving to all!

-Papa

Treyz · 01-17-2009, 10:57 AM

Don't you guys in the 08's and up have the metal stick?

I have the ol' plastic.

detroiter · 01-17-2009, 01:30 PM

My 08 has metal dipstick and my gf's 07 has the plastic one.

TheSilkySmooth · 01-19-2009, 12:41 PM

The family '08 3dr has metal dipschtick

01-15-2009, 01:41 PM	#1
Yawesh Drives: 08 sedan at Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: long island Posts: 313	why is one side of oil dipstick different from otherside? i read the lower side because it's not "smeared" up the higher side is always smeared across the high "dot" i guess it's because the dipstick curves through the tube, so one side is inaccurate?

01-15-2009, 03:39 PM	#2
YarisSedan Drives: 08 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California - Bay Area Posts: 2,773	You are correct. Since its curved it scrapes as it goes down and up. I always flip the dipstick and take the lowest reading. Nissans especially infinitys really have this problem the worse. My shop we never use the dipstick to check the level on those cars. If you put in 3 quarts of oil and then check the level it will look like the car has 6 quarts of oil. Even though its still low. You have the let the car sit for a very long time till all the oil settles and then check it slowly. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3210549

01-17-2009, 10:57 AM	#6
Treyz ~ ambient one ~ View User's Garage Drives: 2009 Bayou Yaris Liftback Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,046	Don't you guys in the 08's and up have the metal stick? I have the ol' plastic. __________________ AMBIENTLIFESTYLE Tri-State Sport Compact EZine ambientlifestyle.com------------ambientlifestyle.ning.com Micro Image Store - Network - Online microimageonline.com------------microimage.ning.com

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01-16-2009, 06:52 PM	#4
yarisugi やりすぎだ～ View User's Garage Drives: Me: Nuts: Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: ハワイ Posts: 2,041	What ever happend to the crosshatch and "L" and "H" indicators on the dipstick... Now it's just 2 dots one near the bottom, one about an inch above that. Does the top dot mean enough oil and bottom dot mean low?

01-17-2009, 10:04 AM	#5
TheSilkySmooth Drives: 08 3DR 5M Bayou Blue; 09 Fos Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 622	I dont trust the dipstick too much - it is often hard to find a level area for an accurate cold reading anyway. I just ensure that all oil is drained during and OC by jacking the car in various angles whilst draining. Then I put in 3.5 litres since the other 200-300ML stay in the engine in the cam box and galleries and betwixt the pistons, etc. I gladly notice no oil loss through the 4500 mile interval therefore no need to worry about topping off unless I wish to to fortify the oil for the last 1000 miles of the oil life interval. I do promote this practice of topping off at say 3500 miles to get some good stuff back into the oil sump, since the good stuff tends to get used up throughout the interval. If you dont burn off oil in the time span, I might suggest you should drain off the requisite 1/2 litre you had reserved from the initial sump fill for top off and replenishment. Good driving to all! -Papa

01-17-2009, 01:30 PM	#7
detroiter Drives: 2008 Polar White LB Auto Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,238	My 08 has metal dipstick and my gf's 07 has the plastic one.

01-19-2009, 12:41 PM	#8
TheSilkySmooth Drives: 08 3DR 5M Bayou Blue; 09 Fos Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 622	The family '08 3dr has metal dipschtick