Try using a magnet on it. If you find metal shavings, then there could be an issue. Not sure about the color though.
Oaklan said:
Try using a magnet on it. If you find metal shavings, then there could be an issue. Not sure about the color though.
We tried a magnet on the bottom of the catch pan, and it picked up the glitter, but the larger particles stayed behind.
@Blend
A disco party in your oil? 
You should be fine since it’s only been 20,000 miles. If I were you, I’d change the oil again at 1,500 miles and then follow the 5,000-mile interval for future changes.
It’s probably too late for this oil change, but you can grab a free sample kit from blackstone-labs.com and send them a sample after 1,000 to 1,500 miles. It costs about $40, but those guys are really good at what they do.
@Piper
We saved the oil and are going to test it. We also plan to change it again soon and test it again afterward.
If you still have the oil, you could send it in for a test kit from Blackstone Labs. A milky color can mean water or coolant is in the oil. It’s $40, but you’ll get a real answer instead of guessing online. I do this for every new car and about every 25k miles on my own cars.
Also, if you’re seeing glitter, it’s even more reason to test it. They can sometimes tell you what metals are in it and where they came from.
@jefferson
Yeah, we saved the oil for testing. Fingers crossed it’s nothing serious. Thanks for the suggestion!
Did you cut open the oil filter and check what it caught? For what it’s worth, I’ve changed my 2022 4Runner’s oil every 5k miles since I got it, and I’ve always seen at least a few small metal pieces in the filter. If this is only your second oil change, it might be normal to see that many flakes in the oil.
I wouldn’t panic yet. I’d send a sample to Blackstone now, then change the oil again at 5k miles and send that sample too. They can tell if your bearings are wearing, and if the wear is speeding up, then you should worry. But if the wear stabilizes, you’re probably fine. Also, they can compare your oil to others they’ve tested and estimate how much life is left in it.
At least you didn’t have the issue I had where the dealer changed my oil without my permission and installed the wrong filter. It made it so my engine had unfiltered oil for 750 miles before I caught it.
@EDAH
Thanks for the info! We did check the filter, and there were some small particles, but what surprised me was what we found in the pan. We’ve also ordered a test kit from Blackstone, and I’m eager to get the results back. The oil smelled kind of like fuel too. It’s a strange situation, and I hope everything’s okay. I really wish I could’ve bought my 4Runner new and done the oil changes like you did.
I’ll definitely call the dealer to ask about the oil type. Thanks again for the advice! I can’t believe your filter was too short! That’s a nightmare!
@Blend
If the oil smelled like gasoline, it probably means it hasn’t been changed in a while.
Devlin said:
@Blend
If the oil smelled like gasoline, it probably means it hasn’t been changed in a while.
Yeah, I’m starting to think the dealer didn’t actually change the oil like they said they did.
@Blend
I’m sure they didn’t. I picked up my car with just 4 miles on it and changed the oil at 1,000 miles. Then I did it again at 4k. Now I change it every 3k and change the filter at 6k miles.
For oil and filter changes, it requires 6.6 quarts. While 7 quarts might be a little too much, I don’t think it will cause any issues.
That’s normal for newer vehicles.
Is it a 5th gen or 6th gen?
Mars said:
Is it a 5th gen or 6th gen?
It’s a 5th gen, 2023 model.
Mars said:
Is it a 5th gen or 6th gen?
It’s a 5th gen, 2023 model.
That makes me less worried than if it was a 2025 turbocharged model. Can you be sure the flakes weren’t already in the pan before you drained the oil?
@Mars
Yes, the pan was clean before we used it.