Oil dipstick level issue

Picked this 96 4Runner up and second owner of it. Motor was replaced with used 3.4 liter by owner and did oil change on truck and is showing low level on dipstick after putting in the 5.5 quarts required could it be wrong dipstick in engine ? And truck has no oil leaks nice and dry and coolant is perfect also.

 

Like below the low level line, or just not up at the full line? Officially the 4wd says 5.8qt, or 5.5L. Either way as long as the oil level is between the full and low marks that is ideal.

 

Its around low mark maybe under

 

I've had my '01 4Runner for almost a year. I've always been puzzled by this, too. And I've even put a tiny bit of effort into finding out what the specs are on a genuine factory dipstick for my truck. Because it also seems this is the shortest oil dipstick I've ever used.

Mine always reads on the bottom dots, even immediately after an oil change. I've had an 09 Prius and an 02 Highlander, and it's always been that the correct oil level will read perfectly in the middle of the two dots.

but apparently, It's different for this 01 Highlander. The correct oil level seems to read on the bottom dot, what I would consider a low reading

 

Very low on dipstick same on Corolla...

 

The dealer will fill up to top dot. WAY overfull,, my advise, change it yourself..,,

 

Put the recommended amount in, then mark the dipstick.

 

I put near 6 qts in and get it to the high point. A little more oil never hurt an engine. I always thought it was a "lost in translation" thing. 5.8qts is 5.5L which I think is nearer to what I put it.

 

"...a little more oil never hurt..."? Sorry to be so blunt, but have you never heard of the oil foaming and pressure disappearing and the motor seizing, from too much oil? Or is that just one of my fever dreams/nightmares caused by too much tequila? You know what they say about oil and alcohol.
And I changed my '00s oil for prior owner for years with 5.5 quarts (amazing what uses pop up for that extra half quart sitting around); originally was dead middle between low and full dots, now continues to show barely above low dot. Don't think quarts have gotten smaller, but who knows. It doesn't seem to change when full six quarts are used, and I too worry about dipstick calibration, unexpected gremlins, and the fate of the dollar, but that's just me, lol.

 

The fumes come out the vents. If overfull. To little is better than too much..,

 

A "little more" won't foam up and cause issues, one or two quarts over all the time yeah maybe that's a different story. My "daily" is a Honda and that thing is super temperamental when checking the oil. I cannot check it while in the driveway because it has a VERY slight slope to it and it surprisingly throws the level way off. I'm talking the reading will be half a quart off from the driveway to checking it out on the flat street.

 

Whoa...easy there killer. I said a LITTLE.