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I Want a Darker-colored Oil
- Thread starter Shel_B
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- Dec 30, 2006
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Back when I used it years ago it aways maintained a slight purple hue.
I have somewhat the same problem with new oil that's nearly colorless. However, the oil slowly becomes easier to see with increasing mileage. When it's fresh, there shouldn't be much need to check it, if the proper volume was used during the oil change.
Other tactics that help oil visibility:
Check it cold. Hot oil runs off and spreads out too fast.
Orient the dipstick so you're looking at it almost edgewise. Then the thicker layer will be obvious by the way it refracts and reflects light, even if you can't see a color difference looking directly at it.
Other tactics that help oil visibility:
Check it cold. Hot oil runs off and spreads out too fast.
Orient the dipstick so you're looking at it almost edgewise. Then the thicker layer will be obvious by the way it refracts and reflects light, even if you can't see a color difference looking directly at it.
At various times I've checked the oil with more than 1500 miles on it. Could not see the oil on the dipstick.
Always check the oil cold ... 1st thing before the car is driven during the day.
I'll try the orientation trick.
Add fluorescent dye to the oil and check the oil level in the dark with a UV flashlight. I'm not sure how long the dye remains effective but every oil level check will be a little bit like a crime scene investigation. 
Or you could drill a few small holes between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick. The holes will fill with oil only up to the immersion level, making the oil level easy to read.
Or you could drill a few small holes between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick. The holes will fill with oil only up to the immersion level, making the oil level easy to read.
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File some notches on the oil stick at the max & Add lines.
Don't most dip sticks have holes in them? Not sure but I think every vehicle I've owned did.
"Most" might, mine doesn't.
My Silverado doesn't. It just has 4 dimples but no actual holes. I don't think the Odyssey does either but I'd have to double check. Pretty sure they started doing away with the holes.
It is, at least on the motor oil side.
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When you check your oil, hold the stick in the sun and you’ll easily be able to see the oil on it.
Why do you have to check the oil? Its a Toyota Hybrid !
I would say add an ounce of LiquiMoly MoS2 but I cant "officially" recommend using that in and engine with a oil filter.
But 1 oz shouldnt hurt and may help! - Ken
I would say add an ounce of LiquiMoly MoS2 but I cant "officially" recommend using that in and engine with a oil filter.
But 1 oz shouldnt hurt and may help! - Ken
This. Even if the oil were to be perfectly clear you can still see the reflection off of it vs the steel dipstick. Doesn't even need to be the sun, I use my garage lighting just fine.
I remember using that stuff back in the day. Only one time, that was enough.
Why don't you hook him up with some of that ARCO Graphite out of your private stash ?
No sun in the garage. I'll give it a try outside.
/facepalm
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