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How should I read the oil gauge?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by zogman, Jan 17, 2021.

  1. Jan 17, 2021 at 2:47 PM
    #1
    zogman

    zogman [OP] New Member

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    I changed the oil myself on my 2020 Tundra and it got me thinking.

    Does the oil gauge measure oil pressure or the amount of oil in the engine?

    The gauge's needle didn't quite reach the halfway mark after I added the recommended number of quarts so I added another quart. Now it reads a hair over half full on the gauge.

    Also, I checked the oil on the dipstick while the engine was running one and it had bubbles in it.
    Is this normal? Is there any possibility of damaging the engine if it has an extra quart in it?

    Thanks.
     
  2. Jan 17, 2021 at 2:52 PM
    #2
    IBJC

    IBJC New Member

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    engine should be off whenn checking dipstick
     
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  3. Jan 17, 2021 at 3:22 PM
    #3
    zogman

    zogman [OP] New Member

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    Yes, I know. This was the first time I have ever pulled a dipstick on a running engine.
    I supposed air might be sucked in through the dipstick tube, and that caused the bubbles.
     
  4. Jan 17, 2021 at 3:30 PM
    #4
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    I thought the gauge was pressure. Mine is normally just below half. Definitely wouldn't go by the gauge to say how much oil should be added. That's what the dipstick is for.
     
  5. Jan 17, 2021 at 3:31 PM
    #5
    NWPirate

    NWPirate Tesla kool-aid connoisseur

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    The oil gauge on your instrument cluster is only pressure!
    Don't fill according to this.
    Use approximately 8 qts of oil and you should be close to the top marker on the dip stick.
     
  6. Jan 17, 2021 at 4:05 PM
    #6
    NWPirate

    NWPirate Tesla kool-aid connoisseur

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    I wouldn't run an extra quart.
    Now that your oil filter is full, with the truck off I would carefully pull the drain plug and let a cup of oil drain out, then check the dip stick. Do this until you are at the top marker.
     
  7. Jan 17, 2021 at 4:40 PM
    #7
    umarali

    umarali New Member

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    oil guage in cluster is for the pressure in compartment only, doesnt have to do anything with the level.
    When you pull dipstick while engine running, you wont get right level it will come out dry because oil is pulled up in different compartments, you should turn engine off and wait a minute or two before pull out dipstick and check level it should give you correct oil level in engine. I wouldnt put any more oil than it is called for in the manual since you can never drain all the oil so practically you wouldnt drain all 7.4 quarts of oil from system. If you overfill, you are risking overpressuring which can eventually result in leaks somewhere
     
  8. Jan 17, 2021 at 4:55 PM
    #8
    Gene5253

    Gene5253 New Member

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    You can buy a cheap siphon pump from Harbor freight and pump oil out thru the dip stick hole. Easier than draining out thru the drain plug. I would not run with a quart over filled
     
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  9. Jan 18, 2021 at 6:34 AM
    #9
    Tundraman479

    Tundraman479 New Member

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    Oil gauge is for pressure! I believe possibility it would explain that in the owners manual?! Also to remove the extra quart of oil I would just pull the drain plug and drain what you think is 1 quart of oil out of the truck, fairly easy to do and doesn't make a huge mess. Additional tip, drain the oil out when the motor is cool so you don't burn your hands!
     
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  10. Jan 18, 2021 at 6:51 AM
    #10
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

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    Probably something you should have known and looked into BEFORE changing the oil on your brand new, under warranty truck. :anonymous:

    Checking the oil when running is stuff that I just figured was common sense.

    Not to sound like an ass, but I will for your safety, you should research a bit of this stuff next time before you damage your truck or yourself.
     
  11. Jan 18, 2021 at 6:55 AM
    #11
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
  12. Jan 18, 2021 at 6:56 AM
    #12
    Ronin73

    Ronin73 New Member

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    Put in 8.5 quarts and call it a day. That is what the manual says...
     
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  13. Jan 18, 2021 at 7:03 AM
    #13
    Green Thunder

    Green Thunder Smooth in the Cruise

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    I've never found dip sticks to be super accurate. I thought the dealership overfilled my truck when they did the first oil change as the oil was 1/4" above the full line. When I changed the oil myself, I measure each quart and found a full fill is actually about 1/4" above the full line. Well, at least above my dip stick's full line.

    When checking your oil, the engine must be off and given time for all the oil to drain back into the lower portion of the block. I usually check mine cold, but if warm I'd wait at least 5 minutes. Then remove the dip stick, wipe it off and insert back into the sleeve. Go do something else for another 5 minutes...fill the washer fluid, check tire pressure, whatever. Then check the dip stick.
     
  14. Jan 18, 2021 at 7:05 AM
    #14
    JohnLakeman

    JohnLakeman Burning Internet Daylight

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    I'm not immune from appearing "ass-esque" myself when plain facts must be expressed. I've wished since last night I could just "unread" this thread. We must have pushed this "change-your-own-oil" theme waaaaaay too hard. :facepalm::anonymous:
     
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  15. Jan 18, 2021 at 7:36 AM
    #15
    TundraMcGov.

    TundraMcGov. Your friend. Your foe. Not yo Ho.

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    Errors in the past should not be facts-in-evidence for errors in the future.

    That said: somebody needs to have their tool box welded shut. :hattip:
     
  16. Jan 18, 2021 at 7:48 AM
    #16
    The Patriot 1776

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  17. Jan 18, 2021 at 8:01 AM
    #17
    JohnLakeman

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    If the OP is not a troll, then he has been extremely lucky to have gotten this far without a really expensive education ($$$$). The concept of "changing your own oil" is a great idea, but inexperienced intrepid explorers should gather as much intel as possible before heading out into uncharted territory. There are only maybe a hundred YouTube videos on oil changes, and a kazillion oil/oil change threads right here on Tundras.com.
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2021
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  18. Jan 20, 2021 at 7:46 AM
    #18
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    A little extra will not hurt anything because it becomes oil in circulation leaving the pan at the start up level basically which is fine. Now if one went like 2 quarts or 3 quarts over then it might start spitting it out making a huge mess.
     
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  19. Jan 20, 2021 at 10:59 AM
    #19
    Meanjoe

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  20. Jan 20, 2021 at 11:46 AM
    #20
    Bakershack

    Bakershack Critical of Noncritical Thinkers

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    I disagree. It may not be 100% accurate all the time, but if you keep the level between the dots, you will not do any damage to your vehicle. This assumes that it is the OEM dipstick, the vehicle is on level ground, and the proper procedure has been followed, which you allude to.
     
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  21. Jan 20, 2021 at 12:25 PM
    #21
    mountainpete

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    Level ground - good reminder!

    (edit - waaay too many people try to check their oil on a sloped driveway. Don’t!)
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2021
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  22. Jan 20, 2021 at 1:13 PM
    #22
    Txexplorer23

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    If you put the full capacity that’s listed in the manual after and oil change with out checking the dipstick it’s going to be overfilled. You could leave the drain plug out for a week and still not drain out the full capacity.
     
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  23. Jan 20, 2021 at 1:23 PM
    #23
    Mad Max

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    ROFLMAO
     
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  24. Feb 3, 2021 at 2:37 PM
    #24
    zogman

    zogman [OP] New Member

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    I added the 8.5 and checked the dipstick while engine was off, saw that it was reading at the bottom dot. That's when I decided to add more oil.
    I knew I needed to be on level ground for an accurate reading but truly level ground is nigh impossible to find around here.
     
  25. Feb 3, 2021 at 3:30 PM
    #25
    Ronin73

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    WTF? :der:
     
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  26. Feb 3, 2021 at 3:41 PM
    #26
    ColoradoTJ

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  27. Feb 3, 2021 at 3:48 PM
    #27
    zogman

    zogman [OP] New Member

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    My driveway is steeply sloped and I had the truck facing down the slope (so the cab was facing the street.) Let her drain for about 30 minutes before I refilled. Perhaps this drained more oil than would have ordinarily come out on level pavement.
    For a while I was concerned I might be gumming up the engine with this extra oil but now I'm less concerned.
    All engines burn some oil, right? That's what Scotty Kilmer said . . .
     
  28. Feb 3, 2021 at 4:34 PM
    #28
    TundraMcGov.

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    I'm in a 2017 5.7L. The engine oil drain plug is in the back of the (toward the rear of the truck) oil pan. I put the truck up on a set of Rhino ramps and then pull the plug (really: throw the lever on the Fumoto). Do the filter. I then put 8.1 liters in it. That puts it right at the top line on the dip stick when checking it on level ground.
     
  29. Feb 4, 2021 at 5:17 AM
    #29
    Bammer

    Bammer I'm disinclined to acquiesce your request.

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    Facing downhill, you drained less !

    All? :rofl:
     
  30. Feb 26, 2021 at 7:48 AM
    #30
    Txexplorer23

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    What don’t you understand?
     

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