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Color of Toyota OEM oil

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by TheHybrid, Aug 23, 2008.

  1. TheHybrid

    TheHybrid All-Hybrid Family

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    Hi All,
    My 2008 just had its first oil change a couple hundred miles ago, and I found it was about 1/2 quart overfilled. I totally drained and refilled (same) oil, because I had a Fumoto valve I wanted to install anyway. I took a good look at the leftover extra oil and am surprised how dark it is. Can anyone give me a description of what new OEM oil should look like, colorwise? Mine basically was the color of maple syrup and had an excessive amount of metal flakes in it, in my opinion. I have my suspicions as to whether it was changed at all, or whether it was just topped off (overfilled). The drain plug was also "OEM tight" and you couldn't tell it had been wrenched on. I'm taking a sample for oil analysis to see what I can find out, especially about what metal my flakes are composed of. Any color reference from someone who has filled with OEM oil would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 TheHybrid, Aug 23, 2008
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Not sure what you mean by "OEM" oil. If you mean bulk oil that the Toyota dealer uses - my local dealer uses Mobil oil. New oil has a light yellow color when deposited on a white paper towel.

    If the drain plug had no scratches on it, you may be correct that the oil had not been changed by your dealer. If you saw metal particles in the drained oil, I recommend that you not reuse that oil; instead drain and fill with oil that you know to be new. I also suggest that you replace the oil filter.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Aug 23, 2008
  3. TheHybrid

    TheHybrid All-Hybrid Family

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    Thanks Patrick, I just assumed that the Toyota dealer used some type of bulk Toyota brand OEM oil. I wasn't the one who took the car in for the oil change so I didn't have the opportunity to look at their drums for brand. I know oil color varies a little by brand, so I was HOPING this was just a darker brand, but after looking at it again, it just looks too dark, like used oil. I'm a little conditioned to dark oil having driven Volkswagen and Jeep diesels previously! Also, I would have expected a bunch of metal filings in the original oil as the engine broke in, but NOT much if any in this batch, especially after just a couple hundred miles. I've got a Bosch filter and some Mobil 1 from the last Autozone sale so I am going to go ahead and replace it. I'm kind of glad they did overfill, because otherwise I never would have really looked into this further!
     
    #3 TheHybrid, Aug 23, 2008
  4. FL_Prius_Driver

    FL_Prius_Driver Senior Member

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    That is the right color of the oil in a Prius just off the ship. I had mine analyzed. There is a lot of copper in the oil, so it does not match up with any of the American oils that have been sampled here on Prius Chat.
     
    #4 FL_Prius_Driver, Aug 23, 2008
  5. TheHybrid

    TheHybrid All-Hybrid Family

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    Very interesting....well I am definitely going to operate under the assumption that the dealership did not change the oil based on what I see firsthand and what you guys have told me.

    Gosh, forced to buy the worthless ToyoGuard package to get my Prius, then the included free oil change was free, but probably not changed! :S
     
    #5 TheHybrid, Aug 24, 2008
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