Break-in oil changes...

this is true, I inspect it well after every oil change. The last oil change kid was fired (I believe) after jamming his large screwdriver into the Hybrid battery cover on my truck. It was not my intention to get him fired but I wasn't paying for it. Especially since I have a small flat head and pull it off and on without breaking a clip.

 

Yikes

 

Yep, it was a 500 dollar repair and took half a day because they have to replace the surrounding battery box. I didn't think they would do anything, or thoughts were this kid might lose his job. I was pissed.

Knowing how Toyota likes to deny warranty claims these days, I wasn't going to pay for it.

 

Is there a cover you have to remove on the hv to change the oil?

 

Normally I don't think so, but I run the TRD Pro skid plate. I have not checked to see if they have stripped a bolt or anything. However, one of the dealers I go to oil change is outdoors so I can visually see them pulling the skid plate on and off. It is heavy and I am sure a PIA but they do sell a bunch of Pros so they get them as well. The oil change is similar to a pro.

 

Pretty much this. I use Costco oil, so you know it's good.

I'll probably top it off every 20k on my way to 100.

 

That youtube video that someone replied to my post with sort of proved my point. New vehicles don't get sent out with break in oil in them anymore (albeit, the content creator is not entirely correct with his reasoning why). These new toyotas ship with standard oil which reduces friction too much compared to traditional break in oil, which (theoretically) doesn't allow the piston rings to seal correctly. Granted, honing processes are much better now than in the past so maybe it's a moot point in the end. If a guy was afraid of damage being done due to wear in metals, he'd have to constantly change his oil over the course of that few hundred mile setting period. But that's a bit antithetical with the common understanding of how an engine is supposed to wear in.

by the way your post was about as useful as a fart in a jar. if you disagree then educate me, I appreciate a discussion and am willing to learn. I'd rather be wrong and create discussion than use hyperbole to stroke my internet ego. Thanks for the welcome, though.

 

Some engines would probably be fine with that.