Oil dipstick

Steady it mid-way along it's length as you're putting it back in, with the oil rag.

 

…you might want to check the prescription for your eye-glasses? (PS: one of those LED head-lamp thingies might be useful! I love mine!!!)

 

so, are you stuck with a non operating car because of it? how far is it going in? i have found that twisting it back and forth can help, but maybe gen 4 is longer?

 

Yup, I understand your dilema! I notice that the dip-stick on my 2009 Gen II is a bit stiff sometimes, just remember not to force it in, and never, ever try to use the small hole to add oil! (…it's been done before, and I'm sure it will be done again! )

 

Most dipsticks these days will start to bend if you just push them in unsupported, they're pretty thin. You've gotta reduce their unrestrained length, it's like a tall/skinny column without bracing otherwise.

 

This is unusual, maybe try to just push it in and break it.......surely a TSB on the 2016 would be necessary if you actually can break one.

 

This thread can be so wrong or so right if it were on another site.

In seriousness, the path the dipstick is taking may not be straight, and is curving to reach the oil pan.
Been awhile since I checked a Toyota's oil level. GM's have a metal bob at the end that is easier to read than holes and crosshatching stamped in the end of the wand, but it seems to result in more resistance in pushing it in.

 

Try different insert twist directions of the stick angles. Turn the stick at different angles to the dangle. Just don't get tangled in the prangle. Have another car that will only go in one way.

 

turn it so the flat sides of the dipstick are following the curve of the tube so it bends as it goes in.

 

Is it bent or otherwise mangled? (It should be close to straight in its relaxed state.) If not, inserting it should be easy, if you follow the above suggestions to support it in the middle to prevent it buckling, and orient it correctly with respect to the curves in the tube.

My mother's Camry came with the very tip of the dipstick bent sharply, so it would barely fit into the tube. Edges of the tip were also rough, as if something had been gnawing on it. The dealer claimed that was normal. I straightened it with pliers.

 

Mine slides very easily back in. Are you making sure to replace the stick the same way it came out?

 

Don't wipe the oil off of it before you reinsert it, it's all about the lube

 

I was always advised to "whip it in, whip it out, wipe it off!" and that advice has held good for me for the past 50+ years!

 

that's because the dipstick is slightly bent, and you're being way too gentle.

 

this is a hilarious discussion considering dipstick can have different meanings (according to urbandictionary).

 

Wait'll you're 64.