Have some concerns with my 2011 Tacoma v6

New here…and was referred here from another forum.

I have a 2011 prerunner v6 that has just over 169,000 miles. A couple of months ago, I started to feel a friction below my feet. It’s like within the tires, there’s metal on metal. There’s no sound associated with it, just a feeling I get on the floorboard, especially around 30-40mph.

I took it in for a brake job, and that didn’t fix the issue. Against my better judgement, I drove about a thousand miles over a couple of days. I decided to take it to a Firestone, and have them give it a look. I suspected wheel bearings, but they said that wasn’t the issue. All they found was that my oil filter was bone dry, and nothing was registering on the dip stick.

I’m good about changing my oil on time, but I do not do it myself. I don’t always go to the same place. The last time, I took it to Midas. Needless to say, I was pissed at them, as I supposedly still had about 1500 miles before my next change. Firestone changed my oil, and I thought all was well. They said it didn’t appear that any damage was done. It SEEMED to help that friction feeling I got on the floorboard.

I drove home a week later, and the friction feeling is back. Like I said, a metal on metal scraping vibe, but there’s no sound I hear when I roll the windows down. I checked my oil when I got home from work today, roughly 1500 miles from my last oil change at the Firestone out of town. The level was at the top of the twist on the dipstick, not even at the bottom dot.

Unfortunately, I don’t routinely check my oil level, so I don’t have anything to compare this to, other than it’s lower than the bottom dot on the stick.

I did have an alternator and belt replaced around 166K, so I’m not sure if that has any significance, just figured it would be worth mentioning. Otherwise, this truck has been super reliable.

I’m trying to get to the bottom of this friction feeling/burning oil thing. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. All I can think of short term is to add a bit of oil, and maybe take it in to another shop for another diagnostic.

 

I didn't get the friction feeling but I had to replace the oil pan on my 2010 2 yrs ago. Yours is about the same age as mine would have been..just a thought.

 

Thanks.

I’ll also add that I haven’t seen any signs of a leak underneath where I park at home.

 

I was seeing a few drops literally here and there but not like I would have expected for it to be the pan. Not sure exactly where it went but the local shop wouldn't do the oil change. Brought it to my regular guy who does what I can't and that was the diagnosis. Did it. Done.

 

It doesn't work that way. You'd be walking if it did. The engine would not have been running with a "bone dry" filter.