Oil Change Mishap

[BigDogMoney]

I took my 04 Runner to the dealer for some warranty work (windshield rattle - accoring to this informative site it is due to the clips that are used for spacers in the windshield), and to get an oil change. I told the guy on the phone when I made my appointment, and the service person when I dropped off my car that I use Mobil 1, and that I had a six quart supply in the back of my car (last time they charged me 8 bucks a quart for Mobil 1). Anyway, when I got home I found the Mobil 1 still sitting in the back of the car - they used conventional oil. If have 29K on the car, and my question is, will intrdoucing conventional oil into an engine that has only seen syn oil somehow diminish the beneficial gains of using a syn oil to this point? I read on BTOG that if you're going to use syn oil, use it exclusively for about 80-90K or so - that syn oil and conventional oil shouldn't ne used interchangeably. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Jeff Kleb]

This is going to be like a Ford vs Chevy debate. Some people think that regular oil will somehow harm an engine used to running on synthetic, while others claim nothing will happen. It may be the 'reverse' of your situation, but look on the back of a bottle of Mobil-1. It will tell you that it is compatible with all conventional oils.

In my very humble opinion, I would think you should be fine if you change it back to synthetic oil next time. Oh, don't forget to change the filter too!

Maybe if you raise a little stink about it, they might give you a 'freebie' for next time. That is pretty lame that they ignored your instructions, though. Perhaps you should consider taking your vehicle elsewhere or even changing your own oil. It is rather easy on the 2005 V-6 (which I drive), so I assume your '04 should not be much different.

 

[ovrrdrive]

In "the old days" switching back and forth between synth and dino oils would actually cause the seals in the engine to shrink causing the engine to start leaking oil. The current formulations of synthetic oils have been proven to not have this effect though so you're safe.

Personally, I'd take the truck back and make them change it back to M1 and never go back to them again. It's a matter of principle.

 

[00328]

Wether you DIY or take it back to the dealer, I would change it back ASAP. No reason other than 'just coz'.

 

[Casper]

nothing will go wrong with the engine...the swap between dino and syn these days is completely transparent.

As for them messing up, I would most certainly take it back to the dealer and ensure that they fix it. I had an instance like this on my first oil change and took it back. They fixed it, free of charge as they should have.

 

[jharris2]

It's happened to me, too. I caught it before leaving the dealership, so had them change it on the spot. The service manager did the work himself (I watched him), and wound up getting oil all over his khakis.

Hasn't happened since.

 

[599er]

Definately take it back and have them do it right. As said before, it's a matter of principle.

I took mine to the dealership to get the oil changed (3rd gen, hate doing it myself) and because I don't know when the last time it was done, the differentials flushed and filled. Of course, to my humor, I find that the engine was leaking oil because the tech only finger-tightened the drain plug. That was bad. Insult to injury was that when I crawled up under the truck, I noticed that they didn't even touch either differential.

Took it back, told management what I expected to have done. Work complete, don't plan on returning.

 

[kimboy]

I would have left the new oil on the drivers seat, with a note.

Once any vehicle is up on a lift, its "good bye trying" IMHO

 

[Northof49]

nothing will go wrong with the engine...the swap between dino and syn these days is completely transparent.

As for them messing up, I would most certainly take it back to the dealer and ensure that they fix it.

I agree fully with the above

 

[Koz]

Not to worry, just switch back.

Koz

 

[BigDogMoney]

Thanks for very for your responses. I normally change the oil myself because it is so easy, but I fiigured since I was taking it to the dealer anyway, and it was pretty darn cold outside that I would get the oil changed as well. I should have done what Kimboy had suggested, but you would think that they would write my request in the service ticket. They wrote what I had described to them about the windshield rattle (which was never fixed by the way).

I didn't want to take the car back to this dealer, but I thought for a simple oil change--what could go wrong.

By the way, the manual suggestes 5.5 QTs on the v6; when I have changed the oil I noticed that 5 qts get you right at the top hole of the dip stick. Putting in that extra half-quart shoots the oil level way over the maximum marker. Even after driving the vehicle for a day the oil level seems to stay the same so I usually just pit in 5 qts and call it a job done well.

 

[hossmaster]

Just change the oil yourself from no on, that way you know it was done right. 20 minutes and your done.