First time changing oil on this truck, strange dip stick reading?

2001 Tacoma automatic 4x4
V6 3.4L
5VZ-FE (5.5q oil capacity with filter, 5.2q without)

I changed the oil in my truck at what I figured was the correct volume but my dipstick is saying I wildly overfilled the engine. I only drove it briefly (under a mile) but am a disconcerted by this. I actually added slightly less (5 quarts) than what was called for and when I took a dipstick reading it was nearly an inch and a half above the full line. It always seemed to have read correctly in the past but I never scrutinized as much. I tried allowing the dipstick housing to drain among other things but it has been giving the same reading each time.

Have these been known to give inaccurate readings? Should I trust that I put the correct amount of oil in? Any advice at all? I'm a bit baffled.

 

Actually 5.5 quarts will usually get you under the full mark. Something isnt right here.

 

You're checking with the engine off and let it cool down for a couple minutes, right? Just making sure...
If nothing else, drain it and measure how much you get out, then go from there.

 

Are you sure it wasn't the transmission fluid that you drained out instead engine oil?

 

^^This^^

It's been done MANY times!

 

Hmmmm...here we go again. OP I hope ya didn't drain the AT, it happens more often than you would think. Hope ya figure it out and it works out for ya.

 

If thats not the issue, is there a chance you have an aftermarket dip stick? Maybe one that was suppose to be universal... Or just not meant for our trucks.

 

Not having been under a 4wd version before.......

Is the drain for the trans close to the oil pan drain?

How about the transfer case drain? Nearby?

Are the transmission / transfer case plugs the same style head as the oil?

Just trying to imagine how people would get confused. Obviously it happens....

 

The engine and tranny are very similar, and are id say 18" from each other. The transfer cases are extremely different.

 

Not really a chance of mistaking the diff drain for the engine drain. Most people wont even have the big allen used to take it out.

Trans is possible but again. Its very obvious its the drain for the trans not the engine.

 

So like do people not know the engine is in front of the transmission? Or do they just not 'see' the oil pan? Or do they get turned around upside down when laying on their back?

I've changed fluids on lots of stuff, and haven't gotten 'lost' yet. But dear old Dad taught me to look around and ID things before I started taking them apart too..........

 

In all fairness its obvious to you and I, but who's to say OP isn't just starting to dabble in his own car maint, and didn't recognize the difference. I remember my first car...i did some things to her that I'm not proud of. But in the ed its how we learn.

 

As the op said, it was his first time. On my first time and many others I had no idea witch one was the transmission pan.
Some cars engine and trans pans are located side by side

 

This issue pops up on TW fairly often, folks either unfamiliar with their truck or they're in a rush, whatever the reason it happens. People err, I DIY my oil changes and the first thing I did was add a Fumoto valve. Good luck with your truck OP, please let us know what you find.

 

Worst ive seen was a newer kia. Both drains were literally side by side and the trans has a stamped oil pan like an engine usually would and the engine drain was cast aluminum.

 

I've found myself putting 5.5 quarts in my 3.4V6 and like @devinzz1 said it will be a little under the full mark so I'll put in another 1/2 quart and after that it reads right on the full mark. I check it before I just put in 6 quarts. But it always seems to take it all and I have no leaks or anything like that.

 

OP, did you crank the motor up before adding the last quart (build oil pressure and fill the filter)? Check that you didn't drain the transmission fluid by mistake (as pointed out by others).

 

Interesting problem we have here. I never would have thougt about draining the tranny. I guess it's possible.

What color was the oil?

Red or dark red = oops... Engine oil is more brown, usually almost black when you change it.

This might sound trivial, but something else to consider is did you wipe the dip stick before sticking it back in, THEN checking the level? The oil splashes around a bit, so you always wipe off the oil before checking the level.

Another possibility is are you sure you let ALL the oil drain out?

There's plenty of well documented instructions on how to change your oil, make sure it's for your specific vehicle, and make sure you drained the right oil. The engine oil plug is the one thats in the large whole in your skid plate. If you didn't get oil all over the skid plate, you probably did the wrong one... Fwiw, I always remove the skid plate (5 bolts), makes the job a little easier and cleaner.

So:

1) what color was the oil you drained?
2) make sure you are wiping the dipstick before checking the level
3) drain the ENGINE oil, and re-fill. Meaure how much comes out.
4) Now you're also going to want to check the level of the tranny oil, too, make .

Also, DO NOT DRIVE IT until you confirm it has engine AND tranny fluid.

 

Fuck. Time to turn my truck into a cube...

 

But seriously... that was an idiotic mistake. Unfortunately I did drive it in that state, albeit very briefly. It's actually amazing how well it drove all things considered.

I drained all the oil this morning, replaced it and added transmission fluid. I then allowed the car to warm up, topped off the ATF and took it for a spin. It seemed to run perfectly fine and I wouldn't have noticed had I not known what happened. I'm going to keep a close eye on it and probably have the transmission serviced ASAP. Still worried that I did some damage though.

Hopefully this serves as a testament to the resiliency of these trucks rather than a huge pain in my bank account.

Thanks for the replies everyone!