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ah4rsr5

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Just changed my oil at ~1000mi. Came out with a viscosity of almost like water. Did not shimmer like yours did and I didn’t see any noticeable flecks so far.
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i swapped my oil at 1500 miles, engine seems smoother and my average mileage seems to be up… could be a “placebo” effect… but it feels like its running smoother
 

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Dropped the oil at the 1000 mile mark to flush out the expected metal particles and will be repeating it at 2500 and 5000.

This is completely normal for all new and rebuilt engines so nothing is abnormal here for people that arent familiar its a visual representation to remind you how dirty they really are.

Do not run 10k miles without changing the oil.

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Great advice, just picked up my new Trail Hunter and stocked up on oil filters and got some mobile one. I'll be following your schedule which I've been doing for years. This is my 7th Toyota, never had an engine problem with any of them.
 
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Joey_Midnight

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Just changed my oil at ~1000mi. Came out with a viscosity of almost like water. Did not shimmer like yours did and I didn’t see any noticeable flecks so far.
Yea the 0w20 is just pure water, im not a fan of it at all and i do question its ability to maintain its stability under towing but the manual doesnt recommend anything thicker for severe duty as chevy normally does for trucks and sports cars. Its so thin that most of the flecks settled to the bottom instead of being suspended like a 5w30 or 40 would have been.
 

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Is this showing Toyota still has the "engine metal debris from assembly" issue, but these metal flecks would be blocked by the filter? Or is this level of debris that's visible to the naked eye no worse or better than any brand new engine (i.e. they don't flush the engine and all the oil passages before they assemble them so some particles will end up in the pan upon the first flow of oil), regardless of the manufacturer (and still blocked by the filter)?

Also wanted to add that many dealers these days use a vacuum extractor to pull oil out from the top when doing oil changes. I wonder how well that gets these particles out compared to a bottom, gravity-drain of the pan? I guess it depends if the particles are mostly suspended in the oil in the pan, or if they sink to the bottom.
Early oil changes on new engines are only needed if you care about engine longevity. Here is a YouTube that agrees new engines will have many metal filings etc. and you should change oil early on new engines to better protect your investment.
 

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This seems like a good idea. I come from the motorcycle world and this is common practice - oil change after the initial break-in period. And, I know this is apples to oranges.

So, Maybe asked and answered but will doing your own oil change void the new vehicle warranty? My new 4Runner came with a service plan/warranty (3 oil changes and x miles - don't recall how many right now)
Thanks
 

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I was debating on when to do my oil change and decided on 2,500 miles. I was taught keep the initial oil in longer than normal due to additives in the oil to help with break in period. I change oil every 5k but would wait till 7,500 for the 1st one. I've never had any issues with my cars waiting that long.
It wasn't till this forum that I was educated on the opposite side of the spectrum.
So I did mine yesterday and yes I did find shavings. I'll do my next one at 5k and every 5k moving forward.
I do have to say I love how DIY friendly this 4R is. This is my 2nd Toyota and I've had countless Hondas. They are kings when it comes to making DIY friendly vehicles.
 
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Joey_Midnight

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This seems like a good idea. I come from the motorcycle world and this is common practice - oil change after the initial break-in period. And, I know this is apples to oranges.

So, Maybe asked and answered but will doing your own oil change void the new vehicle warranty? My new 4Runner came with a service plan/warranty (3 oil changes and x miles - don't recall how many right now)
Thanks
No it should not unless you put some wildly incompatible oil like a 20w50 Classic car oil and it causes an oil related failure. The factory service plan is 10k so I will be completing my own oil changes at 1k, 2.5k, 5k and then at 10k take the free one, and continue at 15k on my own and 20k go and take a free one, because the dealer wont do them off schedule and oil antiwear/ cleaning additive packs typically wont be good for 10k of stop and go usage.
I wouldn't say bikes are all that different, its still pistons, rings, bearings and cylinder walls shaving metal off and finding its groove plus it adds in the gear stack and wet clutch so I'd say you're right on the money
 

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Performed the first 1,000 mile oil and filter change today on the Trailhunter. Easiest oil change I have ever done on any vehicle.
Didn't see any metal bits and shavings or other deposits in the oil
 

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Can you take the oil changes and tire rotations early ? My sticker on the window says oil change at 5k, or 10-15-2025 , I assume you get 2 free oil changes and tires rotations anytime before 20k miles. Correct me if I am wrong
 

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Performed the first 1,000 mile oil and filter change today on the Trailhunter. Easiest oil change I have ever done on any vehicle.
Didn't see any metal bits and shavings or other deposits in the oil
Just did my wife's ORP today at 2000 miles even cut the filter open not a single speck of metal.
 

Ericd6972

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Exactly as cuttingedgesport said, the 2nd picture shows the old oil filled with metal particles and sealant bits when on a clean engine it would be a pure glossy brown without the metallic effect.
Dropped the oil at the 1000 mile mark to flush out the expected metal particles and will be repeating it at 2500 and 5000.

This is completely normal for all new and rebuilt engines so nothing is abnormal here for people that arent familiar its a visual representation to remind you how dirty they really are.

Do not run 10k miles without changing the oil.

20250425_143435.jpg
20250425_151725.jpg
I changed my wife's at 2k this weekend, cut the filter open, Absolutely no metal or anything in the oil. It looked new coming out. I work with performance engines everyday have built and tore down hundreds of engines over the years. That looks pretty excessive. Looks like a lot bearing material.
 

4RunnerTony

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My new 4Runner is only 3 weeks old and I have only 650 miles on it. I would like to change the oil at the 1,000 mile mark. Will the Toyota dealer perform this service? I will gladly pay extra for the early oil change. If not, can I take it to an independent shop and have them do it without voiding the warranty. Of course using a Toyota oil filter.
 
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Joey_Midnight

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I changed my wife's at 2k this weekend, cut the filter open, Absolutely no metal or anything in the oil. It looked new coming out. I work with performance engines everyday have built and tore down hundreds of engines over the years. That looks pretty excessive. Looks like a lot bearing material.
Its not bearing material, those do not come in contact with the crank otherwise wise id have a spun bearing by now. Its cylinder wall and ring shavings. I currently build performance engines and this is normal for any engine, I don't know what your filter looked like or how good your eyes are but the dust that comes out would be pretty hard to see with a naked eye on a soaked filter element, youre not going to find a 10 gram chunk of aluminum in it. If you dont believe you need to do then you don't have to do it. Your truck will be perfectly fine.
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