DIY oil changes and checking the oil level

[Hausenheimer]

I have not acquired my Supra yet, but will be buying a 2026 in the near future. I figured you guys were the best people to ask this question. Without a dipstick, when you change the oil how do you typically refill it and know it's full? I have always been the type of oil changer who short fills the engine about 25% of the "add oil" area of the dipstick. I learned in automotive school back in the early 2000's that it was better to leave it just shy of full than to overfill it and my professor said it is safe to run ANY car within the "add oil" area of the dipstick. I see in videos that the "infotainment" unit will show you a min-max gauge, but you have to run the vehicle for 30 minutes to get a reading? I read that the car holds 6.9 qts and I read online (take that for what its worth) that 6.5 qts is fine. So I am guessing that I would start with 6.5 and run through the checking procedure? Do any of you know how many quarts are between the min level and the max level on the infotainment "gauge"? Is it 1 qt or maybe a half quart?

I will be driving this car back from the dealership I am buying it from, approximately 1,100 miles. I need to try to understand this checking procedure so I know how much to add if needed on this "break-in" drive.

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[Eastwood]

Car will tell you to add oil when it needs it.

Maybe it's just me on a Monday, but that was also a lot of unnecessary explaining and words to ask a simple question.

 

[itzTang]

If you need to add during the break in drive back you better bust a U and take it back to the dealer ?

 

[itzTang]

drain til it drips then pour in the required amount then drive 30 or so minute and on the infotainment screen do the oil check

 

[razorlab]

You can also use something like Bimmerlink to read the actual level in mm's.

FYI, I overfill my oil by about .4 quarts.

- 100% (6.6 liters) = 97mm
- 100% (iDrive max) = 97-85mm
- 75% = 84mm
- 50% = 82mm
- 25% = 81mm
- 0% (iDrive min) = 78mm (add 1 quart)

 

[MisterSkiz]

Off topic comment - but if you think you are going to get a new 2026, you might as well get a new 2025 and should start getting on dealership lists now and looking at the Toyota inventory checker - these things sell quickly and they are rare.

 

[jchadwell]

Way over thinking this. Drain until it drips slowly, reinstall drain plug, add 7 qts of whatever the hell oil you choose and call it a day. Car will tell you to add more if it ever gets low.

And if you do end up getting one, for the love of everything you hold dear, DO NOT start a thread asking what oil to use. Use the search function and then spend the next six months of your life reading the thousands of discussions already held on that topic.

 

[Hausenheimer]

Car will tell you to add oil when it needs it.

Maybe it's just me on a Monday, but that was also a lot of unnecessary explaining and words to ask a simple question.

I am KING of "unnecessary explaining" LOL (more unnecessary explaining here) Sorry for that, I do get that it can be annoying.

You can also use something like Bimmerlink to read the actual level in mm's.

FYI, I overfill my oil by about .4 quarts.

- 100% (6.6 liters) = 97mm
- 100% (iDrive max) = 97-85mm
- 75% = 84mm
- 50% = 82mm
- 25% = 81mm
- 0% (iDrive min) = 78mm (add 1 quart)

Thank you... that is very detailed. Just the way I like it. Curious, the levels you show there talk about liters and quarts. Is 78MM supposed to say "add a quart" or add a liter? I now wonder if my scan tool is going to show me the oil level in MM's?

Off topic comment - but if you think you are going to get a new 2026, you might as well get a new 2025 and should start getting on dealership lists now and looking at the Toyota inventory checker - these things sell quickly and they are rare.

I already have my deposit down and I am 1st in line for the 2026 that is coming into the dealership. It has hit PORT already too. I'm super excited. I've been shopping and searching vigorously since November of last year. The 2025 I had reserved (deposit down) apparently got damaged at port and was delayed by over a month. I was/am 2nd in line for that one. It's going to be a LONG drive home, but the way I see it is that I will take my time, enjoy the scenery, break it in the best way I can, and when I get home it will be "broken in" so any freinds and family I take out to show them my new car I can give the a non-holds test ride!

 

[MavJ]

You can also use something like Bimmerlink to read the actual level in mm's.

FYI, I overfill my oil by about .4 quarts.

- 100% (6.6 liters) = 97mm
- 100% (iDrive max) = 97-85mm
- 75% = 84mm
- 50% = 82mm
- 25% = 81mm
- 0% (iDrive min) = 78mm (add 1 quart)

Thank you for this.

 

[MisterSkiz]

I already have my deposit down and I am 1st in line for the 2026 that is coming into the dealership. It has hit PORT already too. I'm super excited. I've been shopping and searching vigorously since November of last year. The 2025 I had reserved (deposit down) apparently got damaged at port and was delayed by over a month. I was/am 2nd in line for that one. It's going to be a LONG drive home, but the way I see it is that I will take my time, enjoy the scenery, break it in the best way I can, and when I get home it will be "broken in" so any freinds and family I take out to show them my new car I can give the a non-holds test ride!

Awesome! Congratulations!

You can buy some Track Tape to protect from stone chips etc on your way home - its not pretty but it does the job.

https://a.co/d/eJMxoYD

I used it on my wifes Minivan when we drove to Canada from Chicago and it worked well.

 

[Hausenheimer]

Way over thinking this. Drain until it drips slowly, reinstall drain plug, add 7 qts of whatever the hell oil you choose and call it a day. Car will tell you to add more if it ever gets low.

And if you do end up getting one, for the love of everything you hold dear, DO NOT start a thread asking what oil to use. Use the search function and then spend the next six months of your life reading the thousands of discussions already held on that topic.

That's an understatement.

I personally like and have used Mobil 1 for decades. I don't see any reason I wouldn't continue to do so.

Sometimes for jollies I like to say things that "rub people the wrong way" but I don't want to get banned here... I think I will hold off from the "oil debate" thread postings!

I way overthink everything. An attorney told me once that I get "paralysis from over-analysis". He also told me I should have been an attorney.

 

[Vertex]

I always dump in 7 qts every oil change. I'm pretty sure I get nearly every drop back when I've drained it to since I send it back in for credit to fcpeuro and always been credited back my full purchase each time so far

 

[Hausenheimer]

Awesome! Congratulations!

You can buy some Track Tape to protect from stone chips etc on your way home - its not pretty but it does the job.

https://a.co/d/eJMxoYD

I used it on my wifes Minivan when we drove to Canada from Chicago and it worked well.

Thanks for the tip!

I just read the Amazon reviews. I am glad this has worked out for you, but there are TOO many negative reviews about peeling clearcoats and other permanent damage for me to risk it. I'd like to keep my "baby" perfect forever, but I know that is practically impossible. I'll be able to sleep better at night knowing that the rock that bounces just right and does damage wasn't necessarily my fault, but if I did any damage to my "baby" with a product like this, I would drive myself insane with guilt and remorse.

 

[Hausenheimer]

I always dump in 7 qts every oil change. I'm pretty sure I get nearly every drop back when I've drained it to since I send it back in for credit to fcpeuro and always been credited back my full purchase each time so far

Are you joking, or are you somehow legitimately getting free oil?

 

[Vertex]

Are you joking, or are you somehow legitimately getting free oil?

Not joking. After your first two kits you send back all the parts from changing oil and they credit your account back the parts that you send back.

You just have to pay shipping costs to send the oil/filter etc back. Essentially paying ~$25 for 7 quarts of oil, filter, oil housing gasket, and crush washer.

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