When checkingyour oil after the dealer changed it...

When checking engine oil level, the dipstick should be fully inserted and the car should be on level ground. The engine should be off for at least several minutes prior to the check, so that the oil has had a chance to drain back into the crankcase.

 

Apparently. How high above the top dimple is the oil level?

 

I have the same issue, i measured mine with the dipstick all the way in. My question is, i have put 1,000 miles on hte car after the oil change so i could get a good idea of the mpg hit if any. If i take it back to the dealer, will they drain the overfill? Or is it too late and will i have to live with it?

 

Take it back and tell them you just noticed after you checked it because you suffered a loss of economy.

Yes, if the oil is over the top dot after checking the level by removing the stick, wiping it, pushing it all the way back in and pulling it out then you engine has too much oil in it.

 

Re: When checking your oil after the dealer changed it...

You don't have to live with an overfill. Either the dealer or you can draw off some oil through the dip-stick tube without having to remove the oil plug.

 

Re: When checking your oil after the dealer changed it...

how would one go about doing this?

 

You would need a special pump to remove oil via the dipstick tube. Lacking such a pump, if I were DIY, I would just drain 1/2 quart from the drain plug, then check the oil level and repeat as needed.

 

Re: When checking your oil after the dealer changed it...

One goes to the local boat store and buys an oil change pump I suppose there are other places to get such things. Basically, you need a hose small enough to fit inside the dipstick tube and maybe 3 feet long. AND some way of causing suction to get the extra oil to run up the tube and into a vessel of some sort.

Back when I let the dealer screw up my oil changes time after time, it was anywhere from 1/8 to 1/4" over the top mark. 1/4" was 8 oz. If you don't want to change your own oil, the only way I know of to make SURE they don't overfill is to bring 3 1/2 quarts to them. In my car and my wife's, that plus an extra 2 oz hits the line. Especially while under warranty when you are changing the oil every 5,000 miles, 3.5 quarts is FINE, don't even need the extra 2 oz. My Prii do not use oil between changes (wouldn't hurt to check YOURS though, just in case). Toyota's specified '3.9 quarts' at the dealers (at least mine and many others here) is TOO MUCH.

 

You could probaly fabricate one from a turkey baster from Target/Wal-Mart, some tubing from an aquarium shop, 2 sizes, one to fit in the dip-stick tube and one to fit the baster, and an adaper connector and clamps, from Home Depot/ Lowes/ or an R/C hobby shop, to connect the two different size hoses. Thanks for the idea, I may just make one to take along for dealer oil changes. Just a thought, if you can't find an oil change pump.
P.S. don't forget to take alone paper towels and a container to put the extra oil in.

 

I think that the tubing sizes would be close enough (assuming the dipstick one won't fit over the end of the baster) that you could fit the dipstick tube one inside the turkey baster one and just duct tape it. After all, duct tape is VERY GOOD at holding things together (except ducts; really). Save some money.

It would be pretty slow and messy since every time you release the bulb on the baster to suck some oil up, you need to pull the tube out to release what you got into a container and gravity will be trying to drain it back down the tube in the meantime. I guess you could buy an inline one way valve but then you either need to take the bulb off the baster each squeeze or add a side tube with another 1 way very close to the baster tip that would let the air out when you squeeze and the oil would come up when you release.

The other option is to find a friend with a boat that has an inboard engine. If they do their own oil changes, they WILL have what you need. Plus, they won't be using it until fall anyway.

 

All good points. Another option would be to replace the drain plug with a Fumoto valve, easier to drain a little out, and just check it when you get home. It's only if you don't have time to wait for the dealer to put it back in the queue to drain it. I like the post I read somewhere on PC, that went something like this on the order form: "...be sure not to over fill the oil, The customer will check it in the lot.". I perfer dealer maintenence for items under warranty. It's makes for one less area for them to try to blame a failure/problem on. I did my own oil changes on our Quantum and the VW dealer tried to blame or egine problem on not changing the oil. If I hadn't keep good records they would have stuck us for the $3K for the new engine. They had a sludge problem with the Quantum, cooling systems undersized for both water and oil.

 

you can get one of these

http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm?fa=s&keywords=oil+extractor


One of these should be handy since I can pretty much guaranty the dealer will overfill each and everytime, they did put in the right amount of oil per manual, but they simply do not allow enough time for the used oil to drain before refill, the service writer agrees with me on that, he asked me to bring the car back and leave it overnight for them to correct the problem, I decided to leave it as it is since there is no impact on MPG, btw, my car was overfilled from the factory when delivered.

 

Maybe not, but that just means they over filled it even MORE than the 3.9 quarts will.

I put Fumoto valves on both Prii. I let it drain FULLY and rotate the tires while I wait. Others on PC have verified that almost no oil is left in the pan due to the valve threads protruding slightly into it. I'm not sure the dealer would be willing to wait for a Fumoto to drain as it takes a lot longer (MUCH smaller diameter) than just pulling the plug. I suspect they would pull the Fumoto off instead. Don't know how much damage they might do to the valve body and threads with repeated removals.
Benefits of a drain valve:

1. Being able to drain oil due to over fill or a desire to do a used oil analysis.
2. Being able to drain the oil yourself CLEANLY. Just jack up the car a bit and stick a 1 gallon plastic milk container under the valve, then open it with the lever. The filter is still a bit messy.
3. Don't have to thread and un-thread the drain plug every time. Not likely a problem, but my local cranked it on so tight I couldn't get it off. Clearly a LOT more torque than called for in the service manual. When I complained, the service manager said they only do them "three fingers tight'. How VERY specific. It is supposed to be 20 something (I think), I pushed to 40 on my torque wrench and it didn't come off. Not wanting to do damage that would make the car undriveable, I wasted my time and made them do it. They also cranked the lug nuts to 90+ Ft-Lbs when the manual says it should be 70 something. Could not get those off either.

Now I change my own oil, when *I* have the time and I don't have to sit in the dealer's admittedly nice waiting room (Reading PriusChat ) for an hour or more.

 

did anyone mention removing oil filter and dumping its contents, should be enough to get you to the right spot

 

Bruceha 2000: Good point on the dealer's handling of the Fumoto valve. They'd probably ruin the copper washer.

Lefat1: Wouldn't that get a little messy pulling the oil filter off before draining the oil? Or, doesn't draining the pan, also drain the oil lines above the filter?

 

That's good! If enough owner's do it, perhaps they will learn they it's quicker and easier and less expensive(extra time) to do it right in the beginning.

I do have to ask though. Do you think that's a "PLAN" for the dealer. Or just "HOPE" on your part?

 

The fumoto has a fiber washer, doesn't it....It's a baby blue color anyway.

The oil should all be in the pan, so taking off the filter should only take away 1/2 a quart or so, or so I am WILDLY Guessing.

It's just a "little guy" filter, so I can't imagine much is in it. And not much should drain after removal...I WILDLY Guess....