Oil and filter change. Plus a surprise discovery

Having just purchased my 2000 Tundra and with no detail maintenance records available, I did and oil/filter change. All went well.

However, I soon discovered something puzzling. The oil dipstick just would not register ANY oil level on the stick. What gives? With oil capacity listed at 6 4 quarts, I filled it to at least a bit over 5 to start. Ran the motor to operating temp, then cool down for a few minutes. Zero oil on the dipstick.

I did a search online and I soon discovered confirmation of my suspicions .

Toyota service campaign LSC-10M. Apparently early 2000 models were equipped with a dipstick which was too short, which would cause my problem.

Now I'll be ordering a appropriate length dipstic . I surprised that my truck was never addressed during the service campaign all those years ago

 

That’s pretty messed up

I check my oil level every time I fill up at gas station- even know I only have 7300 miles on my 18’( drive a co. Truck all week)

It pisses me off that today’s vehicles have no tranny dip stick -

I like to see levels just for piece of MIND !!

 

Try putting more oil in. My 2000 takes 7 quarts to read full on the dipstick. Others have had the same experience -- and it's not just 2000 MY.

 

So you put 5 quarts in a truck that needs 6.5 quarts. What's the reasoning behind this?

 

Lol, my 3.0 2001 camry takes 5.2 quarts till full lmao. 4.7 for sure more than 5!

 

I got a longer dipstick. Problem solved.

 

Nice find, must be a rare oem dip stick item these days.

 

Did you ever fill it to 6.5-7 quarts? With 5 quarts it wont register on the dip stick.

 

Yes. Even then nothing registered on the old dipstick.

 

Toyota Service Campaign LSC-10M = short dip stick fix

 

Yeah I know.

 

I know you know.

I read it above from you and reposted it for others in a simplistic fashion.

 

That's what she said.

 

Your intent was not obvious to me.

 

It must have been my dead pan delivery.

 

Very likely.

 

More common than you might think. I bought a new 2012 Hyundai, and it had a incorrect dipstick as well. Hyundai had corrected the dipstick by 2013 and I twisted arms at the service department until they gave me one. They said warranty would only give me the same 2012 stick. Finally I got them to get me a 2013 stick and all is well. I always put in the published amount in the Hyundai service manual for a filter and oil change, although it read high on the stick. I was glad to get the correct one. OCD thing.

 

I 'underfill' too but only run engine for 7-10 seconds to allow filter to fill and a quick pump thru system. Then wait a minute for it to drain down and measure/fill correctly.

Why all the way to operating temp (can't bear the thought of how long that takes)?? That would seem to Potentially cause harm....