Oil so clear you can’t see it?

I got an oil change today at a new Toyota dealer. (New to me). I was able to watch them do the oil change and I think it made my ocd a little crazy lol. They just filled it up with a hose that I suppose had a button you press on the nozzle to say how many quarts etc. but they didn’t even check the oil with the dipstick afterwards so I felt like I needed to check it when I got home. I’ve never checked my oil level immediately after an oil change but is it normal for it to be so clear you can’t see it? I mean it’s like water… if I held it in the sun just right I could barely see there is something on the stick but when I first took it out I was freaking because I thought it wasn’t even touching the stick … when I wipe the stick some seems to be coming off but I don’t know. It was a huge dealership and they were probably working on 30 plus cars at one time so I would assume they put the right amount … I guess maybe this is why they don’t check it because you can’t see it anyway lol.. I really can’t tell exactly where it is on the stick

 

Sounds about right, get some mileage on it and it will darken and u can see it better

 

Interesting. Whenever I fill up with new oil, it's definitely not clear. Maybe they filled it up with machine oil?

 

Not sure why they would have machine oil as an option to fill though? I did read that synthetic oil can appear clear when it’s new but I’ve never looked before

 

That’s what I’m reading so hopefully that’s what’s going on

 

My mobil1 0w20 synthetic is yellow when filling up. I mean its somewhat transparent, but not to a point you describe. If I peek into the jug, I almost have to verify it's not old drained oil.

 

Wiping the dipstick with brake clean or checking first thing in the A.M. helps with reading the level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMKeFspGKbk

 

Hmm yea this is pretty clear like I can see there is something wet on the stick but it’s literally so clear I didn’t see it at first …

 

Smart idea

 

I thought I read on this forum somewhere, it’s easier to read depending which way the dimples are facing when you insert the stick, either towards or away from the engine

 

I seen that as well ... towards engine, but I don't think it makes a difference.

 

So you mean the side that has them raised should be toward the engine? I don’t think it will make a difference in this case either

 

On your dipstick, use 500+ grit sand paper and sand some horizontal lines up to the full mark.

When you re-insert it, go all the way down till the o-ring seats and remove quickly.

 

I think as long as oil is not overflowing from the dipstick while engine is running, it's good.

 

There was a post in here somewhere and the guy stated it was in the owners manual for oil level check. I looked and couldn't find it, perhaps an earlier model?

 

It might take me 10 different wipes and checks, but i can tell where my oil level is after an oil change. It is kinda clear and I need good light to see it good.

 

I just went out there and checked again after the sun had gone down some (different lighting ) and I can tell better now where it’s at in the stick I can see the glare from the oil when I twist it certain ways .. once the oil was a little darker at the tip of the stick but I can see the oil is in safe range now … just super clear ..

 

That's good. It's sad the dealer won't check the engines oil after they change it. I do all my own maintenance because nobody seems to care and I know if they mess it up, then they will fight as hard as they can to not pay to repair their F up...

 

The true mystery is I use Royal Purple and it goes into the engine very dark purple and shows up on dipstick clear AF. Brake cleaner trick works for me during oil changes and checking first thing in the morning thereafter.

 

Yes I thought it was wild they didn’t check it after .. putting a lot of trust in their handy dandy oil filling device. I’m sure it’s accurate but why take a chance doesn’t take that long to check

 

That’s wild

 

I can confirm it needs to be less than 1.15 gallons overfilled to not have issues.