Ah ok. The RX 350 non hybrid calls for 0w20.

 

Yep even thinner.

 

I also had a problem to see clear separation border of oil on the metal strip. My theory is that as you taking dipstick out it has a chance to rub against a wall of metal guide tube. When the dipstick inserted in the tube there are chances that because of surface tension oil meniscus claims up, therefore tube has some oil on its walls. As you taking strip out that oil can spread on metal strip thus blurring clear true oil level. Anyway, the best way to reduce such negatives is to take the strip out, wait 5 min to let the remaining oil on the tube wall to drain, and then insert the strip and take out to observe the level. This way border of oil/ no oil will be much sharper.

 

I removed it after the car sat overnight. No smear whatsoever on the stick.

 

Agree, after overnight everything will drain from the tube. My reasoning for 10 min was from the fact the default recommendation on oil level measurement is to shut down the engine and wait for 10-15 min before measuring level

 

I learned about the method of laying the stick on a towel about 15 years ago. I had a Toyota and the design engineer must have been a total color blind person. They took a metal dipstick and made the last two inches plastic - which would have worked except they made it round and colored orange. Literally almost the same color as new oil. No clue how that design was approved.