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Should you change the oil in your new Toyota Tacoma every 10,000 miles, as the Toyota owner's manual recommends? What about the first oil change? Should it be changed sooner? 

Toyota recommends that new fourth-generation Tacoma owners change the engine oil every 10,000 miles, but is that too long an interval?

On the 2024 Toyota Tacoma Facebook Owners page, new 2024 Tacoma SR5 owner Esh Roopnarine says he changed his oil at the first 5,000 miles and found something interesting, and some would say disturbing.

Esh says, "I decided to do my first oil change at 5k miles rather than the dealer recommending 10k. Here is my account of what I found. Keep in mind, I'm not an oil expert by any means, BUT I have had 15+ turbo vehicles and was genuinely curious." 

Many Tacoma Owners Change Their Oil Themselves

Before I share his findings, imagine being a hands-on Tacoma owner; you don't rely on the dealer to change your oil, and you like to do it yourself. You don't have to make an appointment and wait for two hours at the Toyota dealer for them to do a simple oil change.

You have checked out the Tacoma owner's manual for oil change interval recommendations, and it says, "The 2024-2025 Toyota Tacoma, which requires 0w-20 synthetic oil, has been approved for extended oil change intervals of 10,000 miles/12 months. (However, you should continue to check the oil level regularly and top it off if needed. This will help your engine get the full benefit of synthetic oil.)"

With 5,000 miles on your new Tacoma, you understand the importance of regular oil changes, especially the first. You take charge and change it yourself, knowing that proactive maintenance is key to your vehicle's longevity.

For those considering upgrades or changes to their vehicles, a situation that might seem unusual could involve weighing the needs for future towing capacity. Take, for example, the decision of a GMC Sierra AT4 owner, who suddenly found themselves debating whether to trade in their current truck for something more robust. With their moving plans and the expectation of heavier towing in the near future, the decision wasn't as straightforward as it seemed at first. If you're in a similar position, looking for insight on how to navigate such unexpected decisions in light of evolving vehicle needs, you might want to read about how this owner is assessing whether to switch to a more capable 2500HD model. It’s an interesting reflection on how your truck’s role in your life can change unexpectedly.

You Find Metal In the Filter

Next, you see that the oil is darker than you expected. So you are curious as to what's inside the filter. You have an oil filter-cutting tool in your garage to cut it open. What you find next is surprising. You see metal particles inside the oil filter element. 

Esh says, "After changing the oil, I cut the filter open and found minimal metal particulates. If you look closely, you can see metal in the element," he says, holding the cut filter up to the camera. 

"The oil was too dark for my liking. Overall, it's not bad, though. I don't like waiting on what Toyota recommends. (10,000 miles)."    

"Moving forward, I think I'll do oil changes every 5,000 miles….one myself and the 10k, and the 20k under my service agreement."

What are Other Tacoma Owners Saying?

In his comment, Jake Berry says, "I did mine at 5,000 miles and found the same type of metal. It's a normal break in material, but it's a good reason not to wait until 10k. I'm going to change mine every 3-5k depending on the type of driving and the length of time between changes. Turbo engines need more frequent oil changes than 10k."

Connor Stewart says, "That metal was caught in your filter, which is what it's meant for. Whatever is not being bypassed by the filter gets stuck. Nothing to worry about."

Should Esh be concerned that there are metal particulates in his oil filter?

Tacoma owner and Reddit user CharAznableLoNZ says, "Since it's a new motor, some metal shavings are expected during the break-in period. They look about like mine did. If you find some large shavings or chunks, it could mean trouble. As long as you were not racing around on it, it's likely breaking in just fine."

A Tacoma4G user and 2024 Tacoma owner says he found particles in his oil pan after changing his oil at 1,000 miles. 

He says, "I'm a new 2024 Tacoma owner, and I thought I'd share the results of the first oil change at 1,011 miles I performed today. After draining into my oil container, I found engine debris left in the pan. I'm choosing to change my oil early and often with this engine to prolong its life as much as possible."

So, is finding metal particles in Tacoma's first oil change normal?

A report from Universal Technical Institute says it's expected to find some tiny metal particles in the oil filter of a new 2024 Toyota Tacoma during the first 5,000-mile oil change due to the engine's break-in period and natural wear. 

Here's a more detailed explanation

• Engine Break-In: During the initial break-in period, the engine's moving parts, like pistons, rings, and crankshafts, are still "wearing in" and may shed small amounts of metal as they settle into their optimal tolerances. 
• Normal Wear and Tear: Even after the break-in period, some degree of natural wear is expected, which can lead to small, microscopic metal particles circulating in the oil. 
• Oil Filter Function: The oil filter's primary function is to capture and remove these particles and other contaminants like sediment and soot to protect the engine from damage. 
• What to Watch For: While small amounts of metal particles are normal, large shavings of metal in the oil filter or dipstick could indicate a more serious problem that needs immediate attention. 
• Early Oil Changes: Some Tacoma owners recommend doing an early oil change (e.g., around 2,500 miles) to help remove more of these initial break-in particles. Doing so can help reduce the amount of wear on your engine during the critical break-in period, potentially extending its lifespan and improving its long-term performance. 
• Considering the Tacoma Turbo engine: If your Tacoma has a turbo, it's even more likely that you'll see some metal shavings in the oil filter during the first oil change. 

What type of oil is recommended in Tacoma?

The Tacoma runs best on synthetic oil, calling for SAE 0W-20 or SW 5W-20. Toyota says if 0W-20 is unavailable, 5W-20 may be used, but it must be replaced with 0W-20 at the following oil change. 

Are there any exceptions to the recommended 10,000-mile oil change interval?

Toyota says that if the vehicle's operation meets the standard criteria for "Special Operating Conditions," such as driving off-road, on dirt roads, towing a trailer, making repeated short trips under 32 degrees F, or extensive idling, the engine oil must be replaced at 5,000-mile intervals, regardless of the type of oil used.

Even if the vehicle uses 0W-20 synthetic oil, the traditional 5,000-mile maintenance procedures should still be performed.

Conclusion and Questions For Tacoma Owners

It's a good idea for new Toyota Tacoma owners to have their first oil change well before the 10K mark. Some owners say you should even change it at 2,000 - 3,000 miles. 

After the first oil change, many Tacoma owners fall into the Special Operating Conditions category unless they live in a warm climate, drive for longer distances with minimal stop-and-go traffic, and do very little city driving. 

Even if you don't pull a trailer, drive on dirt roads, or go off-road, changing it every 5,000 miles is a good idea. It's a small price to pay for the long-term health of your engine. Regular maintenance is key to keeping your Toyota Tacoma, which you've invested $40,000 to $50,000 in, in top shape. 

Oil changes are cheap insurance compared with replacing the engine. 

As we've seen from various Tacoma owners, oil changes can be a source of not only peace of mind but also unexpected challenges. In fact, some owners have reported strange issues right after a routine oil change, such as the mysterious case of one 2018 Tacoma that refused to start and began emitting a strange hissing sound. Could something in the oil change process have gone wrong, or was it a deeper mechanical issue at play? If you're curious about how oil changes might occasionally lead to more than just fresh oil under the hood, you can dive into this fascinating, somewhat perplexing story here: My 2018 Toyota Tacoma Won’t Start After My First Oil Change – And It's Making a Hissing Noise. You might just find a few clues that could help you avoid a similar headache or, at the very least, keep you informed about potential issues to watch for in your own Tacoma.

It's Your Turn

How often do you change the oil in your Toyota Tacoma? Please let us know by clicking the red Add New Comment link below.

Check out my Toyota Tacoma story: 2024 Toyota Tacoma Owner Says, “I Change the Oil In My Tacoma Every 3,500 Miles, I Don’t Care That Toyota Says Change It Every 10,000 Miles”

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Esh