Can you see tiny metal particles suspended in your oil? Two days ago I changed the oil in my Toyota Pickup (199,000 miles). I don't drive it much anymore, but I like to change the oil every 12 months. In that time I only drove it 1600 miles. When I looked at the oil under bright light, I could see tiny metal particles suspended in the oil. I always thought the filter would have trapped any particles that were big enough to see. Keep in mind these particles were very small and someone who needed reading glasses probably would probably not have been able to see them. It made me a bit nervous, so I sent out a sample to Blackstone today.
This morning I was changing the oil in my wife's Highlander (165,000 miles). I made sure to wipe the drain pan out real good so I could check for particles in her oil. Sure enough I noticed tiny particles floating in her oil as well. I could see them easier when I did my truck oil since it only had 1600 miles on the oil and was cleaner. Her oil had 5000 miles on it, yet I could see plenty of particles.
I have been using OEM Toyota and Denso branded filters on these vehicles. Both filters have a reputation for flow over filtration. I always take a look at my oil when it is drained, I just can't believe I never noticed the particles before. They are not obvious like the particles that come out of axles and transmissions. You have to really look close under a bright light, but they were easily seen when specifically looking for them.
This morning I was changing the oil in my wife's Highlander (165,000 miles). I made sure to wipe the drain pan out real good so I could check for particles in her oil. Sure enough I noticed tiny particles floating in her oil as well. I could see them easier when I did my truck oil since it only had 1600 miles on the oil and was cleaner. Her oil had 5000 miles on it, yet I could see plenty of particles.
I have been using OEM Toyota and Denso branded filters on these vehicles. Both filters have a reputation for flow over filtration. I always take a look at my oil when it is drained, I just can't believe I never noticed the particles before. They are not obvious like the particles that come out of axles and transmissions. You have to really look close under a bright light, but they were easily seen when specifically looking for them.