Visual reminder to oil change during break in (at 1000 miles)

[Joey_Midnight]

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

With this thin oil they all settled to the bottom for me and I also leave the pan draining for quite some time until it stops dripping. Nothing floats like on more viscous 5w40 oils. I have to pour some out and then i can see it in the last bit of oil at the bottom. Maybe the hybrids go through a different prep process

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[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

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.

Most dealership service departments will not do it early. You can pay for it but will you trust them to actually do it with 1,000 miles on the odometer?
You can take it to an independent shop or change it yourself without voiding the warranty. It's my understand that under law, performing expected regular maintenance cannot void your warranty unless incompatible products or incompetence resulted in damages & can be proven by Toyota. You also do not have to use Toyota products. Just make sure compatible products are being used. FYI, Toyota (manufactured by Denso) filters have been tested & shown to have quite poor filtration numbers. They are cheap at the dealerships for a reason...where as most other factory parts are quite expensive. Toyota Motor Oil is basically just Mobile 1 oil with a Toyota label on it...it's middle of the road oil at best. There are much better filters & oil out there to be had & used.

 

[Ericd6972]

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.

I did it, and my eyes are perfectly fine. Not a single speck of metal. Not the first oil filter I've cut open. I currently build performance engines as well and have never ever seen that much metal after a break in period just saying. That's excessive

 

[Joey_Midnight]

I did it, and my eyes are perfectly fine. Not a single speck of metal. Not the first oil filter I've cut open. I currently build performance engines as well and have never ever seen that much metal after a break in period just saying. That's excessive

Cool ill let you know when my engine explodes, im sure youre very highly trained, thanks for your input.

 

[Ericd6972]

Cool ill let you know when my engine explodes, im sure youre very highly trained, thanks for your input.

I most certainly am and your'e very welcome! I work for one of the most reputable performance shops in the country.

 

[Archer]

Did my 1000 this weekend, ran it through a paint strainer with a shop towel and a 3" magnet laying on top. Ran it until it stopped dripping. Did the same with the filter.

Got no metal. Ran clear.

Not saying don't do the 1000 oil change, not sorry I did, just saying I didn't pick anything up.

 

[AlanA]

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.

You will change your oil every 3000 miles?

 

[Joey_Midnight]

You will change your oil every 3000 miles?

5k is the normal gap for all of my street driven car

 

[charliemanse]

Most dealership service departments will not do it early. You can pay for it but will you trust them to actually do it with 1,000 miles on the odometer?
You can take it to an independent shop or change it yourself without voiding the warranty. It's my understand that under law, performing expected regular maintenance cannot void your warranty unless incompatible products or incompetence resulted in damages & can be proven by Toyota. You also do not have to use Toyota products. Just make sure compatible products are being used. FYI, Toyota (manufactured by Denso) filters have been tested & shown to have quite poor filtration numbers. They are cheap at the dealerships for a reason...where as most other factory parts are quite expensive. Toyota Motor Oil is basically just Mobile 1 oil with a Toyota label on it...it's middle of the road oil at best. There are much better filters & oil out there to be had & used.

Could you recommend some? Looking into doing it myself from now on. Also, do you have to replace the washer on the drain bolt? I read some of them use crush washers, but couldn’t find anything in the manual.

 

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

Could you recommend some? Looking into doing it myself from now on. Also, do you have to replace the washer on the drain bolt? I read some of them use crush washers, but couldn’t find anything in the manual.

I've personally chosen to use the following for oil changes:
• Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-20 motor oil
• Premium Guard PG4476EX or CarQuest Premium 85394 oil filters
• ValvoMax M12-1.25 Quick Twist Valve with Stainless Drain Tube Knob (the link is for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma but it's the same size for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner...they just haven't updated their website yet with 2025 models)

If you use the ValvoMax valve you will almost never have to remove it from the drain pan or change the crush washer for a long time. Torque it down to specification & it should stay in place for years to come without issues but they do sell replacement washers in a kit if needed. The Toyota OE crush washers should work also with the ValvoMax valve if you prefer.

I've been running a ValvoMax valve on my 2003 Tundra for the last 2 years & it's been fantastic. I don't have to worry about my drain pan getting damaged from anyone over torquing a traditional drain bolt or the bolt getting stripped by a careless grease monkey. In my Tundra I use Valvoline Restore & Protect motor oil with Service Pro Oil filters. I hit 350k miles 3 weeks ago & it still runs like a champ.

Don't forget to change your engine air filters every 4k-6k miles on your 4Runner to keep the engine from getting grit in it especially because it's turbo charged. I'm sticking with Toyota OE air filters for this for now but I'm considering using Premium Guard, CarQuest, Wix or Purolator air filters at some point. I've decided against using oiled or cleanable air filters as they can result in problems.

 

[charliemanse]

I've personally chosen to use the following for oil changes:
• Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-20 motor oil
• Premium Guard PG4476EX or CarQuest Premium 85394 oil filters
• ValvoMax M12-1.25 Quick Twist Valve with Stainless Drain Tube Knob (the link is for the 2024 Toyota Tacoma but it's the same size for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner...they just haven't updated their website yet with 2025 models)

If you use the ValvoMax valve you will almost never have to remove it from the drain pan or change the crush washer for a long time. Torque it down to specification & it should stay in place for years to come without issues but they do sell replacement washers in a kit if needed. The Toyota OE crush washers should work also with the ValvoMax valve if you prefer.

I've been running a ValvoMax valve on my 2003 Tundra for the last 2 years & it's been fantastic. I don't have to worry about my drain pan getting damaged from anyone over torquing a traditional drain bolt or the bolt getting stripped by a careless grease monkey. In my Tundra I use Valvoline Restore & Protect motor oil with Service Pro Oil filters. I hit 350k miles 3 weeks ago & it still runs like a champ.

Don't forget to change your engine air filters every 4k-6k miles on your 4Runner to keep the engine from getting grit in it especially because it's turbo charged. I'm sticking with Toyota OE air filters for this for now but I'm considering using Premium Guard, CarQuest, Wix or Purolator air filters at some point. I've decided against using oiled or cleanable air filters as they can result in problems.

Awesome! This is excellent info. I’m a novice at all this, so this is extremely helpful! Thanks so much!

 

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

Awesome! This is excellent info. I’m a novice at all this, so this is extremely helpful! Thanks so much!

That's what this website was created for. Glad to help!

I'd also recommend consuming as many YouTube videos from The Car Care Nut as possible. I follow his advice closely & almost always without question. He knows his stuff!

 

[charliemanse]

That's what this website was created for. Glad to help!

I'd also recommend consuming as many YouTube videos from The Car Care Nut as possible. I follow his advice closely & almost always without question. He knows his stuff!

Yeah, absolutely! Watched a bunch before getting the 6th gen. Was planning to get a 5th gen, but he gave me the confidence I needed haha.

 

[The_Dark_Knight_Forever]

Yeah, absolutely! Watched a bunch before getting the 6th gen. Was planning to get a 5th gen, but he gave me the confidence I needed haha.

Same here. I think a lot of people are making too much fuss about the Turbo 4 cylinder engine. Yes, the turbo will give up the ghost at some point but if it's cared for & driven reasonably then I think it can last upwards of 150k-200k miles. Early & often oil changes with new air filters at 4k-6k miles will be key...and letting the engine warm the oil up for 1.5-2 minutes before taking off then letting the oil & turbos cool during engine idle for 2-4 minutes before shutting off the engine. That's my plan anyway.

I'm actually pretty concerned about the brake squealing issue that many people are suffering...not just with the new 4Runners either. Toyota shit the bed with the new generation brake system in the newer models & needs to make it right sooner than later. It's easy to ruin a long standing reputation for quality & dependability after being on top for so long when these kinds of missteps are increasing. I hope I didn't make a mistake passing up a 2024 Lexus RX350 & a 2026 Honda Passport to get the '25 4Runner but I still believe in Toyota's reputation & I think the 4Runner is an awesome looking vehicle so I got one despite the overly inflated pricing.

 

[JR1]

150-200K? That means my 4Runner will only last me 20 years. I’m 67. 20 should be enough.

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