Can't read oil Dipstick - FIX

If you're having trouble reading your car's oil dipstick then try these easy steps. Rough up the end of the dipstick with a file or even concrete. If you have a angle grinder you can put a blade on it and make a few marks on it for even better results. When you go to check your oil, pull out the dipstick, wipe clean and wait 5 minutes before inserting dipstick. This should fix your problem!

[zandig]

Thx I changed my oil yesterday and it was soo clear I couldn't tell where the level was 🙀🙀

[programmingchicago]

You would think by now they would have been able to remodel the dipstick so it's easier to read, especially with new oil. It's the same design since forever. C'mon designers/manufacturers, surely you can do better.

[fixpro]

Hi JRESHOW, Not a bad concept. I have the same problem with my 2014 4runner. I make videos too. You have the same problem I do. Lots of people respond with stupid statements because they can't think outside their box. Or they focus on something you said that isn't the issue, like burning oil. Some cars are hard to read, some aren't. In my videos, when someone ask me a good question, I try to address it and then put it in the description. Then I refer future folks with the same question to the description, or just copy and paste it. I also ignore the trolls. They are just looking for a fight. ;-)

[bill]

Lol, I thought I was the only person to use the sidewalk as a sanding block. Turns out it was just obvious. Thanks for sharing the tip on cutting the notches!

[traider]

I had the same problem for years because synthetic oil doesn’t stick well on the dipstick. I roughed my dipstick up a little with a file, cleaned it off with brake cleaner, then put a light coat of flat black spray paint on the business end. After it dried I was able to see the oil level very clearly. Black spray paint is the trick. I used Rustolium grill paint.

[SalYourPalChencho]

The problem is voids of oil along the dipstick and can’t tell for certain where the level is at?

[robme]

The 0w-16 oil is pretty hard to see on the dipstick of a well maintained engine. I've had a few seconds of panic on a couple of occasions when I thought that there was no oil on the dipstick. 😢

[foxmulder]

I saw another method, smear it downward on a clean piece of paper, gonna try that first.

[Kevster-dptt]

Thank you. At the moment it's impossible to read the oil level on my Toyota Aygo dipstick. I'll give this a go.

[snakeinthegrass]

Got the Toyota "70 series" here in Australia. Impossible to read the stick as both sides allways "smear". You think a car maker like Toyota comes up with something better than the crap we have to keep up with.

[davidwu]

Thank you for the video! On your dipstick you pulled out, I saw oil way above the upper dot (max). Does it mean your engine is overfilled?

[davidwu]

You have offered an excellent idea!! I am very confusing with my dipstick, but it looks exactly like yours as I pull it out I see oil well above the maximum mark. Shall we cut a few mark above the maximum line to see the oil level? Thank you!

[troy]

I cannot stand the stock dipstick in my camry or my tacoma. It's shiny and slick as it can be. I used sand paper on both of them (crosshatch), and even then they are still somewhat difficult to read. Need to go well above and outside the range dots too, so it makes seeing if you have overfilled it easier too.

[Samael-Metzger]

Great idea. Have the same problem with my 4th Gen 4Runner

[markb]

I wonder if adding a dye would help? I googled that and all I’m finding are the UV dye for checking leaks.

Maybe a dark blue food coloring? 🤷🏼‍♂️

[rogerg]

The oil level on the dipstick goes straight across at a lower level then covers only half the dipstick coming up to a higher level. So is the actual level at the lower or higher reading?

[NickVTA]

I've heard of guys sandblasting between the second line in the first line so the oil kind of sticks to it. Especially in the FJ Cruiser that has a weird angle it goes in

[shawnmendrek]

A dipstick is not a calibrated measuring tool, keep this in mind. I also suggest wiping the dipstick after making marks, so reduce the metal shavings building up in the oil. As said by a mecha nic( not me, but a real mechanic).

[jkanclark]

I must've missed the part about how these methods actually help!

[michellesteed]

With my 07 toyota solara one side shows low the other shows high