what do you do if the oil is too high

There are tube and vacuum motor tools that fit into the dipstick tube you could use to remove (suck out ) oil.
From what you write, to me, it seems you are overfilled by a quart, but I can't be sure.
Don't know the cost of the tool.
Another option is to remove and replace the oil filter, which may drain a 1/2 quart...just a guess...but you have the cost of another seal/ o-ring and maybe even the filter.
Removing and quickly reinstalling the engine oil drain plug could create a big mess but if you are really on a budget you could drain all the oil and reuse it.
But "just above the high mark", some may say, don't worry.
I'd buy the tool, and suck out some oil an the tool you may find other users for too.
Good luck.

 

i have to vacuum some out every time i have the oil changed. the tool was inexpensive at an auto parts store and worked easily

 

When I change oil, I pour the specified (per the Owner's Manual) amount of oil , and it normally fills up to the full mark. So if your oil level is slightly above the full mark, I would leave it alone.

But if your oil level is too high, you can attach a vinyl tube (1/4"?) to the pump tube of a shampoo bottle, and insert the vinyl tube into the dipstick hole, and suck the extra oil out.

 

How much is “just above”, say 1/8”? That’s trivial, I’d leave it.

“Halfway” is ok; right at the top mark doesn’t hurt, is the pref of majority I think.

 

I'm with Mendel on this one... most cars tolerate a mild overfill very nicely and Prius is not an exception. No point doing anything about it.

And for future reference full is at the upper mark, not halfway.

 

To answer the original question: I like to raise the front, break loose the oil pan drain bolt, back it out till it’s just on the last thread, then slightly more while keeping pressure on it, cant it slightly, get it trickling, into a graduated mason jar. Until I get the required amount out, or my arms start shaking too much.

 

I know you don't like to use more than 5 words in your comments and you've already gone way over your limit on this, but can you please show us the tool you use, or provide a link to it? Or even just the name of the tool?

 

Use one of these and take it out through the dipstick tube,

500/550ml Large Syringe with 31.5 Inch Tube, Extra Big Plastic Garden Syringes for Liquid, Paint, Epoxy Resin, Oil, Watering Plants, Scientific Labs, Refilling

 

mine is old (like me), but something like this:

ref=sr_1_5

 

So, clearly you're telling me your secret trick is known as a "dip stick tube."

 

exactly

 

Do NOTHING.
It is not "meant to be half way".
A slight overfill is NOT a problem. Really it isn't.

AND disposing of more than a tablespoon of petroleum products in your household trash is irresponsible.
Maybe illegal too.

 

Yeah good catch.

@Robert William Aston: check in your area; there’s bound to be oil recycling, for oil filters too.

 

Pretty sure that the high mark is considered MAXIMUM.

My dad always insisted on hitting the high mark or slightly above -- he called it, "topping off". I myself, like the level to be between midway and maximum... two-thirds to three-quarters.

Neither one of us ever had a serious engine problem on our vehicles.

Who knows what is really best?

 

best to keep it between high and low. that's why toyota put the marks on the dipstick

 

Dealerships fill the oil just like peoples' perception of speed limits: max is min.

Our previous 06 Civic hybrid capacity at change spec was 3.2 liters. They kept dumping in 4 liters. Gave up and went back to DIY. Easier on the wallet, and easier on the head than sitting around their waiting area.

 

Not many even check after an oil change.
I wouldn't bother if the oil level is anywhere near the full mark.
On the other hand, if the level is way off, I'd just change the oil again.
It's an easy way to see what kind of oil is being put into the car, and you might not believe what kinds of oil get put into our cars........ It's not typically possible to tell from looking at the dip stick, but is easily observed in a pan of drained oil.
If the drained oil is up to your standards or good nuf for gov work, you can always just put it back into the car and fill the pan to the correct level.

My Primes dip stick is really hard to read because if the way the stick dips into the oil pan on the angle it's on where it dips into the oil. One side comes out higher than the other and using Mobil One or Valvoline 0 20
the oil is almost invisible on the stick anyway even with a strong flashlight.

 

Maybe you would like to 'explain that to us, Lucy ??

My take is: Just about ZERO people in a million can tell what kind of oil you have just by looking at it.