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Buying a new car takes away the maintenance burden off your shoulders more than buying a used car, especially from a private owner. However, buying a brand-new car off the dealer’s lot comes with its own problems. For starters, there might be a recall on some things which means trips to the dealer, loaner cars, and paperwork. Then there are the unlimited calls you get from your rep trying to see if you like your car after to told him 20 times that you do.
However, have you ever thought of metal shavings being a problem in your brand-new car?
Metal shavings are probably a worst-case scenario for an engine because it means there was not proper lubrication within the engine. Metal on metal contact produces heat which produces sparks and shavings to come off. This is bad because if this remains in the engine for long, it could completely ruin it.
However, a recent post on Facebook’s Toyota RAV4 Club showed that an early oil change that is not recommended by the dealer is actually healthy for your engine because of the insane number of small shavings that get stuck in the oil. Before we take a look at that post, it’s important to know that every single ICE car out there is being produced will always have metal shavings in the first few thousand miles. Now depending on what type of car you drive; your dealer might tell you to come in for an oil change depending on your car. High-end cars get a mandatory 1000-mile break in service on cars like BMW M’s and AMG vehicles. This ensures that your car does not run with the shaving-infested oil for too long.
Robert Howard shared his discovery of the early shavings in the post saying, “Changed the oil and filter on the 22 RAV4 today at 2500 miles. Judging by the sparkly items coming out of the filter I wish I had done it sooner!” So, depending on what Toyota vehicle you drive, your first oil change should be around 6000 miles on average. Now, this is to ensure that your engine breaks in using the factory oil.
So this question also arose on the new 2022 Toyota Tundra as well. We covered this story in a recent article and at the time of that article being written not a lot of people shared their thoughts, but we recently started to see an uptick in numbers after the article had been written.
Let’s take a look at what a few other owners said about an early oil change. Dusten Seffron said, “Break in sparklers, it’s fine to change it again after another 100 miles.” And yes, a lot of the Tundra owners said the same thing. This is completely normal for every car. Don’t worry if you change your oil for the first time and see sparkles. The only way this could get serious is if you leave it there for a long time.
Some people recommend an oil system flush on the first change because some of the sparkles could be stuck in the lines, cylinders, block, etc. A flush would get rid of that easily. Interestingly, some dealerships would not want you to change your oil that early. Matthew Tracy said, “They wouldn’t change mine at 2500 at the dealership so I did it myself and it was a glitter fest. Sent my service rep a picture of the oil and a winky face.” Why is that? Well, it depends on the dealer. Some will do it if you express your concerns with the service manager, others won’t do it because of environmental concerns, and some just won’t do it period.
So if you recently purchased a 2022 Toyota RAV4, make sure to change the oil after about 1-2000 miles and talk to a professional to see if a flush is also right for you. I read hundreds of forum posts and most of them said a flush was a great idea. Even if you do it on your second oil change a flush would ensure that you get everything out so your engine’s guts will remain healthy and clean.
What do you think? If you work at a dealership, why do they not recommend early oil changes? Let us know in the comments below.
Harutiun Hareyan is reporting Toyota news at Torque News. His automotive interests and vast experience test-riding new cars give his stories a sense of authenticity and unique insights. Follow Harutiun on Twitter at @HareyanHarutiun for daily Toyota news.
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Comments
This is a non issue. I have
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This is a non issue. I have been at a dealer for 33 years and we see absolutely no issues with this oil change interval
Furthermore I have a 2014 highlander that has had nothing but 10k oil changes and it is now at 160k with no issues.
Non issue
Exactly! Manufacturers spec
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In reply to This is a non issue. I have by Rich (not verified)
Exactly! Manufacturers spec is more stringent than what is necessary, so doing it more frequently is monumental waste of time and money.
Oil change every.10,000 on my
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In reply to This is a non issue. I have by Rich (not verified)
Oil change every.10,000 on my 2015 Rav-4 Limited with no issues. Now, nearing 170,000.
I’m 74 years old,and was
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I’m 74 years old,and was taught this by a master mechanic at least 50 years ago.
Yes, absolutely! Technology hasn’t improved enough to eliminate this problem.
I also drain and flush my transmission and differential at 60k miles. Have never experienced any problems. Have owned cars across the spectrum, Fords, Cadillacs, Volvos ( several),Toyota, Lexus (currently). A few of which I put at least 200k miles on. So take it for whatever you think it’s worth. Good advice.
We own 2 Toyotas. 2019 RAV4
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We own 2 Toyotas. 2019 RAV4 Hybrid and 2019 4Runner both bought new and just 3 years old with 25k and 16k miles respectively. Toyota offers 2 years free scheduled maintenance with purchase. Every 6 months, regardless of mileage, Toyota provides factory scheduled service free of charge. Toyota recommends 10K full synthetic oil changes so they do those on the 2nd and 4th service visits. I found this surprising since historically, manufacturers of other makes always recommended 5k changes with conventional motor oils. Synthetic oil changes the game with it’s much better longevity and quality but personally, I have aimed my changes at 7k intervals.
So Toyota buy providing free service for 2 years (say $500 value) does control this for customers who take Toyota up. Both our vehicles run flawlessly and are by far, the highest quality, most reliable, trouble free vehicles we have ever had in over 40 years of driving experience. I have to pay for next service.
I had a 2016 rav 4 new. I
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I had a 2016 rav 4 new. I asked the dealer to change the oil at 600 they said it is not needed anymore because of the new manufacturing process of engines. I have always charged my oil after 600 to 1000 on a new car.
With a new engine I always
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With a new engine I always change the oil and filter at 50 miles, 250 miles, 1000 miles, then every 5000 miles. I don't use a dealers service department but a quick service oil business.
With a new engine I always
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With a new engine I always change the oil and filter at 50 miles, 250 miles, 1000 miles, then every 5000 miles. I don't use a dealers service department but a quick service oil business.
The oil filter would trap the
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The oil filter would trap the great majority of the particles, also some may not be steel or iron.. the best way to determine what is happ ening is having an oil analysis done, or cutting open the filter to see what is trapped in it.
Toyota Care is a scam through
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Toyota Care is a scam through and through. Actual value is less than 200 dollars because they only pay for oil changes at 10 and 20 thousand miles. The rest of it is basically inspections. If you followed the maintenance schedule they give you, your car wouldn't last more than 300,000 miles. For a Toyota, that's crazy low mileage.
Crazy HIGH mileage.
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In reply to Toyota Care is a scam through by Brian (not verified)
Crazy HIGH mileage.
I read the article about
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I read the article about shaving within the engine for the Toyota Rav 4. I leased my 2022 Rav 4 and it came with Toyota Care with the recommended service at every 10K. What should those of us who leased a Rav 4 do being that dealers will not do basic maintenance on leases vehicles until it’s actually due?
I had to get rid of my nre
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I had to get rid of my nre 2021 toyota Tacoma. . My oil at 800 miles wad all gray. Noises engine. The engine never stop vibrating. From when I bought it new. Everytime I go thru a drive thru. I though it was another person car. My helpers at my garage heard it one day and said that engine sounds bad. Dealer even saw the oil on the stick. Was gray. The changed the oil. Motor. Was still nosey. Then. I had where u use the factory remote start. It would lock up everything in it. Dealer could only get it to do once. . I couldn't get it to shut off till I hit the touch start button. 12 timed. The engine was still very loud and vibrating. I had more electrical issues. The power ports and. Phone wireless charger even with the case off the phone started to get si hot. . Did not charge more than 4 volts. In a hour drive and power ports wouldn't work.
I work at a dealership not
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I work at a dealership not Toyota and when a customer tells me do a service I do it it's money in my pocket as majority of techs are flat rate when I took my rav I asked to do a cabin and air filter due to me off-roading it and they refused I was so confused why they didn't want my money and they said the filters were ok they checked them so I did what I knew my car needed and and swapped out the filters and they were filthy no clue why Toyota dealers don't just do the work when they are getting paid for it
I work at a dealership not
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I work at a dealership not Toyota and when a customer tells me do a service I do it it's money in my pocket as majority of techs are flat rate when I took my rav I asked to do a cabin and air filter due to me off-roading it and they refused I was so confused why they didn't want my money and they said the filters were ok they checked them so I did what I knew my car needed and and swapped out the filters and they were filthy no clue why Toyota dealers don't just do the work when they are getting paid for it
Hareyan- I've been an
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Hareyan- I've been an aviation engine mechanic for decades. These "sparkles" are completely normal and an early oil change is a waste of money. The oil filter makes sure clean oil is pumped through the engine so no oil flush is required. Drive the car at varying engine speeds during the first 1000 miles. This allows the bearings and rings to get the proper seat/fit to allow for a long efficient engine life. This period will create metal shavings or sparkles in the oil from the pan. If you see a lot of sparkles on the 3rd oil change or after 10,000 miles then there is a problem the dealer must investigate. Cheers
High performance engines have
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High performance engines have smaller tolerances where shavings may obstruct the ideal oil filter flow rate, it’s understandable the change. In other kind of vehicles it is a mistake, the break in oil will be gone earlier than expected and the shavings get collected safely in the filter as they’re supposed to. So don’t waste your money.
STOP IT FOLKS!!! Each auto
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STOP IT FOLKS!!! Each auto manufacturer has different breakin periods for 1st oil change. Most use reg oil (not synthetic), but use breakin additives formulated just for there engine wearin period. They do not want you to remove it 'early'. After that always use a synthetic oil with a guality oil filter. The 1st 20,000 miles is when an engine wears in, so change that synthetic out every 5,000 miles. After that you don't need to change synthetic out but every 7,500-12,000 miles depending on your driving conditions, ie. cold/hot, stop&go commuting or less with mainly freeway driving. PLEASE never 'flush' your engine and waste your money. That is what a guality oil filter does! My knowledge comes with 40 years of dealership and independent auto shop ownership.
I've seen it all, trust me! Follow this advise and you will have many happy miles to come...
They really need to look into
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They really need to look into carbon build up in the piston and heads. My 21 rav4 at 10500 miles had to get deep cleaned. I drive the freeway everyday so city driving isnt the problem.
The author of this has no
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The author of this has no clue what they are talking about. You taking opinions from people that know nothing about the automotive field. Must of these comments are from backyard YouTube mechanics and people who take their car to the quick lube. Your worried about the fine metal but go and put the cheapest oil filter known to man on your truck from the Oil Stop? Then most of the time they put cheap synthetic blend in your vehicle instead of the correct oil. But keep on worrying about getting less then 300k miles on your
Toyota!
What kind of stupid
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What kind of dealership refuses to change the oil when requested. It's not a snotty boutique.
A couple of early oil changes during the first several thousand miles is nothing but beneficial to the engine during the wear-in period.
Best thing you could ever do is put in an oil with a sky high viscosity index, and excellent heat tolerance. Something along the lines of a shell T6 or Pennzoil ultra/euro synthetic would do wonders over the long haul.