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Black oil?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Grey Jay, Oct 12, 2021.

  1. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:28 PM
    #1
    Grey Jay

    Grey Jay [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just got my first oil change on my 2021. Had to go to a 10min place because to busy to make it to dealer. (Don’t believe toyota has complimentary maintenance like GM).

    anyway, dude said my oil was really black and seemed overly concerned. Anyone have an issue like that? Pretty sure the dude thinks it should be changed at 5000km but interval is 8k right?
     
  2. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:30 PM
    #2
    GOTSAND?18

    GOTSAND?18 Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like u went to jiffy lube those clowns will tell you anything to get more money out of you . Seriously doubt your oil was black .
     
  3. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:32 PM
    #3
    C-Rok275

    C-Rok275 Well-Known Member

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    Probably wanted to sell you an engine flush or some bs like that
     
  4. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:33 PM
    #4
    Raijin822

    Raijin822 Well-Known Member

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    Even if your oil was dark, that doesn't indicate oil life or quality. Follow the Toyota engineers suggestion and maintenance guide or listen to some random kid trying to sell you on more frequent oil changes. Up to you.
     
    Rambo MARINE Recon and greengs like this.
  5. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:33 PM
    #5
    Stocklocker

    Stocklocker Well-Known Member

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    They keep a jar of black oil down in the pit so they can show it to you to upsell you on more frequent changes and more expensive oil.
     
  6. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:33 PM
    #6
    rnish

    rnish Well-Known Member

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    If you have questions about the longevity of your oil send it in for an analysis.
     
  7. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:33 PM
    #7
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    You should have ToyotaCare? At least we do in the US.


    On mine, I have been surprised at the color coming out of mine at 10,000mi OCIs. Dark, but not yet black.

    5,000km is 3,000mi. That is crazy short.
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2021
  8. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:35 PM
    #8
    HisDad

    HisDad Well-Known Member

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    Just tell him it's Texas Tea and sing the theme song from "The Beverley Hillbillies."
     
  9. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:38 PM
    #9
    chstaco

    chstaco Well-Known Member

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    Oil color is not an indicator of life remaining. The only way to test this is via a UOA, used oil analysis.

    Oil change intervals are in your owners manual, which is even available in digital form in the Toyota App.
     
    Rambo MARINE Recon and tarbal255 like this.
  10. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:39 PM
    #10
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    Not sure how it is in Canada but I thought the first two oil changes (first five service intervals) are complimentary at the dealer.
     
  11. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:42 PM
    #11
    Bleep100

    Bleep100 TOYOTA 4 LIFE

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    Since you just got it changed it should be clear on the dipstick now .
     
  12. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:44 PM
    #12
    tarbal255

    tarbal255 Well-Known Member

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    You should still have ToyotaCare which is 25k / 2 years worth of factory maintenance. That's 10k oil changes and 5k tire rotations fluid top ups.

    Oil is always black, that means it's working because the crud is in the oil not in the engine. Literally after a hundred miles or so it'll be pretty dark. As others said use oil analysis (UOA) is the only way to tell oil life.
     
  13. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:45 PM
    #13
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    Yeah like real dark Amber colored.
     
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  14. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:48 PM
    #14
    DAS Taco

    DAS Taco Well-Known Member

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    I try to stay between 6-7K (kilometers)
     
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  15. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:49 PM
    #15
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    That would be it.

    I'm pretty impressed, but our last few cars were turbos, and before that, much less well made engines.
     
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  16. Oct 12, 2021 at 12:54 PM
    #16
    Kev250R

    Kev250R Well-Known Member

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    As others have said, it sounds like he was trying to give you the ol' upsell. Personally, I'd find another 10 min oil change place to use in the future.
     
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  17. Oct 12, 2021 at 1:16 PM
    #17
    LTG4087

    LTG4087 Well-Known Member

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    Yes. Black Stone. A few bucks but a detailed analysis. I did mine at 5000 just to see if break in went well, which it did, and I'm thinking now at 15k - maybe 20k. Overthinking it? yep, but I do that for the piece of mind.
     
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  18. Oct 12, 2021 at 1:24 PM
    #18
    Speedfreak

    Speedfreak Member in poor standing

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    The oil I see at work is black. 6000km service. The oil out of my truck at 1 year interval, never made the kms interval was a dark golden hue. Compared to new it could be seen as black. Compare to the stuff at work.... it looks brand new. Don't believe someone looking to up-sell. And following the service recommended interval is fine. Don't look at the colour.
     
  19. Oct 12, 2021 at 1:32 PM
    #19
    HisDad

    HisDad Well-Known Member

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    I would never take a good vehicle to a Jiffy Lube type place. A friend of mine had a very nice 1989 Camry V6 with 183K miles on it. He was in a hurry one day and stopped at one of those places for an oil change. When he got home about half an hour after leaving his engine seized. They had used the wrong oil filter and all of the oil had pissed out when he was driving home.

    The place offered him $1000.00 in compensation, but it wasn't nearly enough. He couldn't even find a lawyer to take the law suit, so he got screwed.
     
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  20. Oct 12, 2021 at 1:39 PM
    #20
    tonered

    tonered bartheloni

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    When I first moved here, I saw a neighbor oddly wrapping duct tape under his hood. He just came back from a quick lube place and smelled oil. They didn't put on the fill cap.

    When he went back, they offered him a free oil change and asked what cap was his.


    I knew a person that didn't get new oil put in their CRV. A little seize there.


    But just 2yrs ago, another friend had the same problem at a Honda dealer with their new Civic. The dealer was giving the wife the typical woman treatment, somehow blaming her. The tone sort of changed when the husband, who's a cop, showed up in uniform.

    The tech lost his job over it, and they gave them an extended warranty. Not listening to my advice, unfortunately, the next time they went back for an oil change, her windshield got cracked. Not long after, they sold it for a Cheby CUV.
     
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