does this oil look fresh?

[Dillusion]

I'm going to say they didn't do an oil change just because its not at the 10k.

But if you paid them to change oil thats a different story.

 

[pointman]

Does your receipt say that they changed the oil and filter? The normal oil change interval is 10k miles according to Toyota. If you took it in at 5k miles as part of your free ToyotaCare service then I would bet they just checked it and did not actually change it.

There's no way they drained the oil completely, changed the filter, and refilled with new oil for it to look that dirty after 100 miles.

Yes. Paperwork states oil and filter done. Lists out prices of parts as well. It was the 5k. And I am thinking the same thing.

Do you still have 4 skid plate bolts...if so, they surely didn't change the oil. Alternately, you can check the oil filter canister. If its too tight to remove, you can be sure the oil was changed.

Added: oil at 2,000 miles on engine with 70,000

Haha yes, all parts in place. Thank you for the photo. Good frames of reference seeing all these.

 

[pointman]

Thanks everyone. The service advisor swears up and down that the oil was changed. Offered to have me come back in and go over everything. Change oil again in front of me and show me the same oil color and all.

 

[wsgoat]

Bottom line: if you want to avoid conversations like this, change your own oil and filter, I don't care if it's free at dealership, they are not servicing my 4Runner.

THIS!

Dealership hacks are notorious for f'ing up oil changes...you'll find many horror stories here, with a quick search.

 

[1000MPH]

The only other excuse is they used a much darker dino bulk oil.
I agree it does not look changed. I took my GF’s RAV4 in for a Toyotacare oil change and I’m convinced they didn’t do it for the similar reasons: dark color, filter not over tight, exactly same level as when I took it in. I ended up changing myself for peace of mind and never went back.

 

[flyrv9]

I know that after I change my oil & filter, it's hard to read the level on the dipstick. I have to turn it so the light reflects off it just so - before I can read it. Dirty oil is easy to read. Some folks here brush the end of the dipstick with steel wool or sandpaper to make it easier to read.

Another way to check that things were done, is to put torque seal on the bolts that need to be removed in order to properly accomplish the task. For those that don't know, torque seal is a tamper proof indicator paste that comes in a tube. You put it on a nut or bolt after torquing; and if the bolt is moved, the torque seal flakes off. So, if the job isn't done the bolts should look untouched. It comes in different colors and available on-line or at some parts stores. Widely used in the aircraft industry.

 

[Nobody Special]

Recently on a Sienna I did an oil change (with over 300k on the ticker), I had to drain fresh oil that had only ~30 miles on it. (Drain plug issue) and it came out in the pan looking like it was used for full duration. Again, just 30 miles after *I* changed it.

But certain oils do clean better.

 

[Nobody Special]

Bottom line: if you want to avoid conversations like this, change your own oil and filter, I don't care if it's free at dealership, they are not servicing my 4Runner.

I'm the same way after they caused three issues for warranty paint work.

They can keep their "free" oil.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Hello ladies and gentlemen. Quick question, does this oil look fresh for having a few hundred miles on it? Dealer just did an oil change. Level a bit high too.

How does it taste?




.

 

[pointman]

How does it taste?




.

Like deez nuts. You're such a loser, guy. Always trolling the forum and usually to Pro owners. Go back to your thread begging for carplay help and loving your data being sold for being a safe driver.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Like deez nuts. You're such a loser, guy. Always trolling the forum and usually to Pro owners. Go back to your thread begging for carplay help and loving your data being sold for being a safe driver.

So lets get back on topic.
If your trucks oil tastes like your scrotum then its probably not automotive oil.
Same for if it tastes like french fries, fried fish or fried chicken.

If your oil tastes like french fries, fried fish or fried chicken then it is likely that your dealership has been stealing waste oil from local restaurants, using it in vehicles and billing Toyota for the free oil changes. This is a very common occurrence in the automotive repair business. I would look into it further and bring this to the attention of your service Manager that you are onto them.

Thats what I would do.

 

[Rapid_Amble]

I don't think it's easy to tell one way or the other, based on color alone.

There are too many variables that affect color of the oil such as # starts/stops, op temperatures reached, type of additives (some change color faster/deeper than others), soot or other stuff that gets by piston rings or the air filter, to name a few.

 

[1jzgte]

So lets get back on topic.
If your trucks oil tastes like your scrotum then its probably not automotive oil.
Same for if it tastes like french fries, fried fish or fried chicken.

If your oil tastes like french fries, fried fish or fried chicken then it is likely that your dealership has been stealing waste oil from local restaurants, using it in vehicles and billing Toyota for the free oil changes. This is a very common occurrence in the automotive repair business. I would look into it further and bring this to the attention of your service Manager that you are onto them.

Thats what I would do.

what does scrotum taste like?

 

[ElectroBoy]

I don't think it's easy to tell one way or the other, based on color alone.

There are too many variables that affect color of the oil such as # starts/stops, op temperatures reached, type of additives (some change color faster/deeper than others), soot or other stuff that gets by piston rings or the air filter, to name a few.

This. ^
Synthetic oils tend to stay honey colored longer but they all get darker with enough hot/cold cycles and the reasons listed above. The only way to really know if it’s OK is by doing a used oil analysis. But balance that cost versus just changing it at a reasonable interval.

 

[progress4m]

Thanks everyone. The service advisor swears up and down that the oil was changed...

He may be actually telling the truth... and I am not trying to defend dealership at all… as I being doing oil changes on all my cars for the past 30 + years and definitely recommend doing it by yourself, but the darker oil could be simply a "side effect" of how “fast” oil changes are done at the dealer and especially at all "quick" oil change places…

As we know, you can’t drain all oil regardless of how long you keep drain plug open, but when the whole oil change process takes 10-15 minutes it is very possible that as soon as oil stops “dumping” from the drain the tech puts oil plug back in… therefore leaving a good amount of “old” oil in the engine… consequently you see darker oil… just my $.02

 

[RichinRidgewood]

what does scrotum taste like?

No idea. But if you are that interested you could ask this guy. He's the one that brought it up...

 

[mcat707]

Thanks everyone. The service advisor swears up and down that the oil was changed. Offered to have me come back in and go over everything. Change oil again in front of me and show me the same oil color and all.

Seems like good customer service and your answer to get a peace of mind. I would then start doing your own service if you can. But I do realize, some people are not capable due to disabilities or apartment complexes not allowing vehicle maintenance in the parking spaces which is unfortunate.

Here is my oil after exactly 3,202 miles since its last change back in July with SuperTech 0W-20. Still looks pretty clean to me.

Edit: also forgot to mention that my rig has over 94K miles.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

I am actually jealous of your ability to lick your own balls.

I wish I had the flexibility to easily put on my boots and tie them up now at this point in my life.

I see you are from Texas. I used to live in that Dallas suburb they called Tulsa Oklahoma. There were plenty of Texas hotties that enjoyed servicing a “Yankee” that way and others. If I ever hear “What is the definition of a good Yankee blah blah blah...” it will be too soon.

 

[Nobody Special]

He may be actually telling the truth... and I am not trying to defend dealership at all… as I being doing oil changes on all my cars for the past 30 + years and definitely recommend doing it by yourself, but the darker oil could simply "side effect" of how “fast” oil changes are done at the dealer and especially at all "quick" oil change places…

As we know, you can’t drain all oil regardless of how long you keep drain plug open, but when the whole oil change process takes 10-15 minutes it is very possible that as soon as oil stops “dumping” from the drain the tech puts oil plug back in… therefore leaving a good amount of “old” oil in the engine… consequently you see darker oil… just my $.02

They could have used an oil extractor via the dipstick too.

 

[progress4m]

They could have used an oil extractor via the dipstick too.

That is true, and I believe that would also lead to the darker oil and for the same reason I was pointing out -too much of old oil remains in the engine.