Is My Oil Level Over Full Or Not

Hey all, I recently started changing my oil on my 2008 Tundra 5.7L (4x4, SR5, 4 Door, Normal Bed) after a 12 year break from changing ANY oil, let alone on my Tundra. I was used to changing oil on our cars, not a large truck. Anyway! After putting what I thought was 7.4 Quarts in I get two different readings depending on which way I put the dipstick in. On one side it shows a about a half inch over the full line. On the other side it shows about 3/4 between the low and full dots.

Notes:

• Yes, I am on a level flat surface in my shop (I used a 6 foot level in both directions to check)
• Yes, I have checked it cold
• Yes, I have checked it at operating temp
• Yes, I do wipe the stick every time
• The engine seems to be running smooth, even better than before I changed the oil (the previous change was from a chain oil change place). No noises or smells. I drove it around the block a couple different times, and once today for 20 mins
• 283k Miles and counting
• The oil pressure starts about 3/4 at cold start, but then after warming up goes to just slightly under half, normally it rides about there or a little less than that from previous oil changes from shops
• I called a dealership and they claimed that because the the dipstick goes in at an angle that I should pay attention to the side of the dipstick that is facing the front of the engine, which in my case would be the 3/4 full amount.

When I was pouring the oil in I accidentally tipped my oil can that has measurements on it too far and spilled a decent bit, I guessed about a cup worth. I originally measured out 7.4 quarts like the repair manual said, with a new filter installed. I used Toyota filters from a dealership, Denso air filter, Toyota crush washers for the drain, and Mobile One High Millage 0W-20, all of which I bought extra of for future changes. I want take care of old reliable. Pictures attached below.

So any thoughts on which level is correct and any tips?

Thanks!

P.S. Has anyone else struggled with getting the bolts aligned on the stupid skid plate?

 

Low one is correct. If it was truly at the higher one then both sides would reflect that.

 

Oh, OK. So should I add oil then or just leave it alone?

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Add about 1/2 quart.

 

Is the same if you check it again?

 

Well I got it to consistently show about 3/4 between the low and full marks on one side, and of course over full on the other. I've probably checked 25 times because I want to make sure to get it right. This is our only vehicle currently.

 

I change my own oil and this is from my own experiences and is consistent between changes.
6 quarts low mark
7 quarts almost in the middle
8 quarts to the full mark
After running need to add .5 to get back to full mark so capacity with oil and filter is 8.5qts

 

The one side of the dipstick is always going to have a sloppy not clearly defined oil level higher than the other side. The oil level is usually going to be the crisp clearly defined line on the opposite side. If you check it first thing in the morning before running it or putting the stick in and out both sides may read the same at that point. I’d just add 1/2 quart and be done with it. I usually just count on needing 8 quarts and then check it from there.

 

My 2008 with 215k miles, always 7.5 qt since day one according to my owners manual.

 

I put about 9.25 in mine this last oil change. Dumped 8 in and then started it and let it run and kept check and adding a bit at a time.

 

I would have bet my next paycheck that this was a third gen guy based on the thread title.

 

No, then the title would read: Is the center console big enough to fit my purse?

 

Shots fired!

 

Yep, your mom's purse doe fit in my truck's center console. At 283k miles my truck eats purses.

 

Friendly fire!

 

oil threads...

 

LOL! I didn't take it personal, I just nuked it early.

 

Thanks guys for all the answers, it helped a lot. This forum, out of 4 different forums (3 Tundra specific, and Scotty Kilmer's forum), had the best answers. I will have many more questions I'm sure as I get off my butt and start keeping my own vehicle maintenance. I want to make sure my kids grow up doing this stuff, I had a one time lesson from my dad then he went back in the house and watched TV. I mean the guy grew up on a farm, built hot rods with his friends as a teen, and worked as a mechanic at his dad's gas station for a few years before joining the Navy, but it was a chore to get him to show me how to change oil and brake pads. So needless to say I appreciate the input, tips, and friendly replies/banter.

 

good stuff. I've done my best to teach my son all this maint. crap and have instilled in both my kids how to care for stuff.

he now does all his maint, sometimes with my help.

I believe being able to care for one's possessions is one of the many things any grown ass man needs to know. like shooting firearms, making gumbo, etc.

 

Agreed! My daughter has another year before I think she will be serious enough to teach maint and especially shooting, she's smart and goofy. My son is almost 2, so he has a bit, but man that kid wants to use every tool and will watch me for hours, he loves trying to put things together and take things apart, just like I did, so all the more reason to encourage it. I do computer work for a living from home and we homeschool, so I want to encourage them to explore trades and know how to take care of their stuff. I've always found vehicles, welding, woodworking, and fabricating/machining/CNC fascinating so I'm teaching myself and having a blast.