Oil level problem
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: NY
Oil level problem
Hi Guys, I just changed the oil on my LS460L. I drained the oil, replaced the filter and re-filled it with 9 quarts to begin with (I know it is supposed to take 9.1 quarts according to the owners manual). I figured I can just top off the remaining after it was run a little. Well, I just checked it and it looks a little HIGH on the dip stick!! How can this be? The manual says that the low mark to the high mark is about 1.6 quarts, so using that scale, it looks like I may be about 1/2 quart too high. What is going on?, should I drain a little out?
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 740
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From: ca
when you changed your oil was the vehicle on level ground and are you certain that all of the old oil was drained out? If you have since run the vehicle let it settle on level ground for about an hour and then check it again. You could drain a small amount at the filter with the release on the housing end, but I would guess that its at where it should be and your reading is just a bit off for maybe the above reasons. If you didnt get all the oil out that would explain it also. I dont think a half a quart high is going to break anything though.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: NY
I definitely changed the oil on level ground. It was on a lift. I let the oil drain for about 10 minutes. Maybe 10 minutes wasn't enough? There was still a small drip when I was done. Should I have waited until there was zero oil coming out? I ran it for at least 10 miles and let it sit for at least 4 hours and I'm still getting the same reading I was getting after I changed it. I guess I'll drain a little tomorrow and get it to the high line.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Riyadh
Don't quote me, but I read somewhere that too much oil is as bad as too little.
I've seen the mechanic who does oil change on my LS460 do the following: He lifts the car up, drains the oil for about 12 - 15 minutes, removes the filter, cleans the filter house, puts the filter house with the new filter installed back in place, lets down the car on ground, pours in 8 bottles of oil (1 liter each), switches the engine on for half a minute, checks the oil level, adds more oil, checks again, adds a little more and so forth. He doesn't settle until he sees the oil level on the high mark. That usually takes 8.5L or so (we use liter instead of quart as a unit to measure oil volume).
I've seen the mechanic who does oil change on my LS460 do the following: He lifts the car up, drains the oil for about 12 - 15 minutes, removes the filter, cleans the filter house, puts the filter house with the new filter installed back in place, lets down the car on ground, pours in 8 bottles of oil (1 liter each), switches the engine on for half a minute, checks the oil level, adds more oil, checks again, adds a little more and so forth. He doesn't settle until he sees the oil level on the high mark. That usually takes 8.5L or so (we use liter instead of quart as a unit to measure oil volume).
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 740
Likes: 12
From: ca
I definitely changed the oil on level ground. It was on a lift. I let the oil drain for about 10 minutes. Maybe 10 minutes wasn't enough? There was still a small drip when I was done. Should I have waited until there was zero oil coming out? I ran it for at least 10 miles and let it sit for at least 4 hours and I'm still getting the same reading I was getting after I changed it. I guess I'll drain a little tomorrow and get it to the high line.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 42
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From: NY
Yep that was my plan. Thanks, I'm going to drain just do 8 quarts and top off. I decided to do it that way after I read that it was 1.6 quarts from low line to top line, so it's totally safe. Heading out now to drain the excess just to be safe. I'm sure 1/2 quart high is ok, but I'm **** like that and I have to fix it.
Don't quote me, but I read somewhere that too much oil is as bad as too little.
I've seen the mechanic who does oil change on my LS460 do the following: He lifts the car up, drains the oil for about 12 - 15 minutes, removes the filter, cleans the filter house, puts the filter house with the new filter installed back in place, lets down the car on ground, pours in 8 bottles of oil (1 liter each), switches the engine on for half a minute, checks the oil level, adds more oil, checks again, adds a little more and so forth. He doesn't settle until he sees the oil level on the high mark. That usually takes 8.5L or so (we use liter instead of quart as a unit to measure oil volume).
I've seen the mechanic who does oil change on my LS460 do the following: He lifts the car up, drains the oil for about 12 - 15 minutes, removes the filter, cleans the filter house, puts the filter house with the new filter installed back in place, lets down the car on ground, pours in 8 bottles of oil (1 liter each), switches the engine on for half a minute, checks the oil level, adds more oil, checks again, adds a little more and so forth. He doesn't settle until he sees the oil level on the high mark. That usually takes 8.5L or so (we use liter instead of quart as a unit to measure oil volume).
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: NY
OK, all done, I feel better now. By the way do you guys find the dipstick very hard to get an accurate reading? I can somewhat see the high line, but then there is a little smudge above that, but there is no distinct line like some other cars.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 740
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From: ca
mine is exactly like that, it takes a bit of practice to read it.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: NY
So where is the proper level? is it the highest point that I see oil, or is it the highest solid oil mark, or somewhere in between? I would have to guess the highest solid mark.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 266
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From: CA
The dipstick is hard to read. Sometimes I leave the dipstick out for a few minutes, then place the dipstick back, follow by pulling out in one smooth motion to get a clean reading. Most of the time I go by the highest solid oil mark. I have a V6 4Runner also, and that dipstick is even harder to read. Must be a Toyota thing.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 740
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From: ca
Take your dip stick and clean it off well, do this several times and then insert it 180 reversed and you will see what I mean, assuming of course I have not just confused you more :-)
Last edited by cmasten; Oct 16, 2010 at 04:32 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: ca
I just looked at my oil stick and to clarify there are two holes that are punched through the stick, so no markings on one side, what each side looks like is the same as what I was describing above. There should be a good edge to the oil level on one side and the other will be all smeared. if you wipe it off several times you will begin to see this more clearly. Hope that helps
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