Hello everyone. New member here from Al. I purchased a new Trail edition and after 1700 miles I wanted the oil changed, So I took it to the dealer I bought it from. Well they were confused why I wanted it changed at only 1700 miles. Any way it was changed, and I was on my way, I had a class to attend in Vero Bch. Fl. I drove down and back. I stopped for gas and while waiting for it to fill up, I decided to check the oil. It was not even touching the dipstick !!! so I ran it back down to recheck it. nothing. I pulled out the receipt from the oil change and it has only 4 quarts used/Billed. I called Toyota last night and they are going to call the dealer. Well what should I do with this? R/ Mike
New 4Runner Trail Dealer oil change Screw up
- Thread starter M.J
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1engineer
Moderator
1. Have the dealer make it right.
2. Document everything! Have the dealer sign off on your documentation and also have them put their error in your file in the Toyota database.
3. In a few thousand miles draw a sample and send to lab (Blackstone will do) for analysis on your dime. Save receipt so dealer can reimburse. (Make that deal up front too)
4. If analysis is OK, continue to change at REGULARLY scheduled intervals. NOT 1700 miles (sheesh, why? It's full synthetic for Pete's sake!)
5. If analysis is not OK, then you are covered by documentation and you take it to Toyota.
Hope this helps.
2. Document everything! Have the dealer sign off on your documentation and also have them put their error in your file in the Toyota database.
3. In a few thousand miles draw a sample and send to lab (Blackstone will do) for analysis on your dime. Save receipt so dealer can reimburse. (Make that deal up front too)
4. If analysis is OK, continue to change at REGULARLY scheduled intervals. NOT 1700 miles (sheesh, why? It's full synthetic for Pete's sake!)
5. If analysis is not OK, then you are covered by documentation and you take it to Toyota.
Hope this helps.
I have seen metal flakes/shards in oil that has been changed early. Therefore I wanted to do the same with this vehicle. I also saw it posted on this forum somewhere, so I figured that I was not the only one with that idea.
I fully intend to send a sample to them very soon. Thanks ! Mike
NHinAK
New member
I generally do my first change around the 1500 mile mark as well, for the same reasons. I also always take a sample and send it to Blackstone Labs for analysis. It will be interesting to see how this engine breaks in. I haven't seen anyone run oil analysis from the first oil change on out.
You should be ok, but see what you can get out of them. You might be able to get a lifetime powertrain warranty.
harper7
Senior Member
Wow, I would be livid! How many miles did you drive it 2 1/2 quarts low? I guess it didn't throw a Check Engine light or oil symbol warning light?
There's no telling if the top end got starved of oil and could affect it's long term . I would ask for in writing,explaining their screw up and to warranty it for the life of the engine or at least 2-3 hundred thousand miles. Toyota is known for making great engines that last if you maintain them and I fully expect mine to last at least 3-4 hundred thousand miles. My friend has 420k miles on his taco and it's still his DD and going strong. Wheels the hell out of it too!
This is the second report of a bad oil change on a 5th Gen. from a dealership on the forum.Another time they left the drain plug loose and it fell out I believe and lost all their oil. I did a quick search and couldn't find it(internet is slow today) . Maybe ask him what they did for him and any follow up.Anybody remember who it was? Dealerships scare me!:sobbing:
And for some info..... Toyota reportedly runs these engines up to break them in and check them in Japan and then changes the oil before it's ever shipped. I believe most manufacturers do that these days.
Edit....found the other link on no oil...... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...oms-pride-n-joy-2010-te-toast.html#post711764
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Narkhelek
New member
I've done my oil changes at 1k, 5k and every 5k after that. My first several oil changes had little metal bits in the bottom of the oil filter cap. I highly doubt they would be able to work their way out of the bottom of the cap and through the oil filter element, however, better safe than sorry. I don't think you can change your oil too frequently but you could certainly change it too infrequently.
BTW, 5k mile changes is the recommended interval if you drive primarily on dirt roads or in dusty conditions. I don't drive primarily on dirt roads but I drive enough on them that I'd rather error on the side of caution.
If you had 4 quarts, your engine should be just fine. Basically, the oil pickup tube fits at the very bottom of the oil pan. As long as the oil pickup tube is covered in oil, the pump, and thus engine, is getting sufficient oil. Now, if you ran only 4 quarts for the duration of you 10k interval, you'd then likely have worn out the oil by about mile 7000 (assuming 10k is how long that 6.5 quarts of oil should have lasted*). The low oil light won't come on until the oil pressure sensor reads low. It won't read low until the oil pickup tube is sucking air instead of oil.
That said, the dealer really **** the bed on this one. If your engine had burned up at 9000 miles, they could have really screwed you. I always go for a short drive after I change me oil and check the level to ensure that there is no change from when I first filled and started the engine. I wish that the skid plate easily came completely off so that I could crawl under the car and ensure no oil seepage around the drain plug and oil filter canister after my drive. I need to buy a lift to make these inspections more convenient.
* There is a reason we see such large oil sumps these days. The more oil in the sump, the fewer times an individual molecule of oil has to lubricate in a given change interval.
That said, the dealer really **** the bed on this one. If your engine had burned up at 9000 miles, they could have really screwed you. I always go for a short drive after I change me oil and check the level to ensure that there is no change from when I first filled and started the engine. I wish that the skid plate easily came completely off so that I could crawl under the car and ensure no oil seepage around the drain plug and oil filter canister after my drive. I need to buy a lift to make these inspections more convenient.
* There is a reason we see such large oil sumps these days. The more oil in the sump, the fewer times an individual molecule of oil has to lubricate in a given change interval.
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westwind77
New member
Great! All of you have me questioning how much oil is in MY 4R now, arg! I will not be able to sleep now, thanks, have to go check! I've never had a dealer or 'quick change' short me, but after hearing a few stories here I am dreading to look.
rickwol
New member
I picked up a 2008 BMW Z4 roadster last week with 15k miles. I went to check the oil 2 days later and to my surprise there is no oil dipstick !! There is an alert icon that will light up in the instrument panel if the oil is down close to a quart. You can also check the oil while the car is either idling or moving and it will display whether it is ok or not. Cool technology, for sure but I really like my dipstick.
Maritimer
New member
Man, I like to be able to see the color of the oil. And, I don't really trust electric sensors, anyway.
rickwol
New member
I hear ya. This is definitely going to reaquire and adjustment on my part. Only thing to do is to really pay attention to when those oil changes are performed. From the records, I see that new synthetic went into the vehicle 5k miles ago but I'd like to go ahead and change it myself now if possible. But I've been told that German engineering, being what it is may make it difficult for the do it yourselfer. We'll see. At least I know there aren't any skid plates under there to deal with.
