Oil Level Indicator Not Accurate?

Long story short, I only added 5 Qt of oil when doing the oil change. I will add another 2.5 qt tomorrow after getting some more. Drove it about 1 mile and reparked. The oil level indicator on the dash is right in the middle as it was before I did the oil change (1200 miles on the truck). But when I check the oil level with the dip stick the oil barely wet the edge of the stick (if it all). Make sense since I only added 2/3 of the capacity. But strange that the oil level indicator says its in the middle (good level). I guess the morale of the story is to check it yourself. Same as doing your own PM, you know you will do it right (or as right as you can) vs. giving it to someone and assuming everything's dandy.

 

The dash is oil pressure. Not how much oil you have. Also not advisable to drive it with 2.5 qts missing.

 

Ah I see. Thanks!
Yes, definitely not going to drive it until I fill up the oil tomorrow. Here's the part of the story I left out:
When filling the oil, I realize the first 5qt bottle was 0W30 halfway of the pour. Stopped and drained the oil. Then filled up with the 5qt 0W20. The two Mobil1 jugs were nearly identical and they must have been mixed up at Wmart since I grabbed the two next to each other. Just glad I caught it in time.

 

Yeah if you wait until the oil pressure gauge is tell the bottom to put oil in you will have huge problems LOL. Also most of the gauges on the truck are fairly inaccurate to begin with. Not much better than old fashion idiot lights.

 

What gauges are you referring to when you state, "most of the gauges are fairly in accurate".

Kurt

 

Well I guess there's not too many gauges to begin with. But the coolant temperature and oil pressure gauge aren't spot on. Any of my previous vehicles read way different when I would hook up my DashBoss to them. Try it with a scan gauge hooked up to your OBD II you'll see how inaccurate they really are. I would even bet the tach doesn't respond as fast as the engine does. Hell there's not any numbers on the temperature and oil pressure. Just stupid sweep gauges. Basically just enough to tell when there is a real problem. But not enough to fully monitor anything properly.

 

Yeah I have an OBDII scanner. Will have to plug it in and monitor with my tablet.

Kurt

 

So this morning I added 2.5qts more. Started engine for 15 seconds. Checked the level and it was still below the first notch on dip stick. I ended up using the entire 5 at (10 at total) and its right in the middle of two two notches! Started truck again for another 20 sec. Still in the middle. Ok to drive now? Anyone else experience 10 qt oil change and is there any damage I could cause with 10 qt vs 7.5?

 

Good gawd! Are you sure the truck is on a level surface? Are you positive you out 5 qts in the start with? Also, it is going to take some time for all the oil to drain back into the pan for an accurate reading. Too much oil is just as bad of a problem as not enough.

 

No, the street has a slight curve toward the drivers side. Should I use the little oil drain plug to drain out 2.5qts?

 

I think it's more like 7.9 if you read the owners manual. Somethings up if you put 10 quarts in. Start it, let it warm up a bit then shut it down and wait 3 to 5 minutes, then check the dipstick.

 

Ok will do. Then I'll slow drain 2 or so was using the little plastic plug?

 

No offense but put your hands in the air in slowly back away from the tundra. LOL

 

yeah that's a bit too much..

 

Lol...no offense taken. Always learning, or at least try to.

 

Took out 2 qts. Level looks good on level ground. Will drive around town.

 

I would have just left the 0W30 in until the next change. I have heard that driving even a quart low is not good.