Changed my oil early at 2,150 miles on our new 2024 Luxury ES350. Upon inspecting the oil filter cartridge, it had several large slivers and a couple of small chunks of aluminum. I suspect a little bearing material. I've built a few engines and have seen some filings in oil filters before​​​​​ but never slivers and chunks. I sent my dealer pics of the oil filter with the debris to see what they say. I haven't heard anything back as of this writing, but will do another shortened oil change interval to inspect the filter again, hoping it has not trash next time.

 

This is “normal” for such a new car. That’s why I recommend changing the oil at 1000 and then every 5000 miles.

 

Yeah, we took the car on a 1,700 mile road trip. When we got back is when I changed the oil.

I'm not alarmed but just cautious at this point, hoping the next oil filter inspection looks much cleaner. I do appreciate having the cartridge oil filter and its ease of inspection versus a canister style. I'll probably just change the filter in another 1500-2000 miles and inspect. I was impressed by the mobile/Exxon produced Toyota 0w/20 VOA specs. I'm guessing that most of the aluminum was probably from the crankshaft thrust bearing surface.

We love the car, such a perfect highway cruiser and you don't feel beat up after a long drive.

 

Curious -- What do you expect the dealer to do or say?

Option 1) Ahh yeah you're right. We will give you a new engine

Option 2) Ahh that's normal. It's a new engine.

Just seems like a waste of time to ask them.

 

Imho, it’s worth a shot to provide info to see
what they might say. I fully expect them to say that it’s normal debris.

I’m not looking for a new motor, but if further debris continues in each subsequent oil change, there’s something going on inside the motor that isn’t “Normal.” I’d rather have a history of an early developing problem than not.

But yeah, for some a waste of time.

 

I suggest you and all other buyers with same findings inform Lexus corporate of this. Maybe they’re already aware but maybe not. If enough buyers informed them of this, they might be made uncomfortable enough about it to throw some money at the phenomenon to eliminate it or, at least, include a free recommended oil and filter change at 1,000 miles to put owners’ minds at ease.

 

Yep, did the same on my wife's new 24 NX350h. had its first oil change at 1K, then every 6 months after no matter what the mileage is. She doesn't drive a lot, maybe 6-7K a year. My 17 ES350 45K miles and my son's 08 RX350 160K miles went through the same routine since new as well, both drives and shifts great so far.

 

I’m mostly in agreement that the amount of debris was normal in the oil filter. It’s more the size of the material I found that is a concern. I’ve overhauled many engines in my life, going back to the 80’s. Most of what you find, as oil filter debris, on a pushrod V-8 was small aluminum and iron filings. Bigger flakes and or chunks were always a red flag if discovered after a break in period.

I’m not freaking out or think there’s a problem yet, just going to watch the oil and filter changes closely for the next year. I’ve always been a believer of running an engine like how you normally drive, after a short break in period. For our 24 ES350, the first 180 miles was from the dealership to our home. I had my wife vary speed continually from 55-75 for the first 50 miles. Most new piston ring material actually breaks in the first time the engine is started.

 

Yep, go to The Motor Oil Geek's video on YouTube and find the video on the first oil change he did on his daughter's new Toyota Corolla. He did it about at 500 miles, sent it off for oil analysis, and showed the results.

Thus, after the first oil & filter change, have them changed every six months or 5,000 miles, whichever occurs first. I had my fourth oil & filter change last week at 15,000 miles on my ES300h using Idemitsu IFG 5 fully synthetic motor oil (Japanese-engineered motor oil specifically for Japanese vehicles) and a Highflow Performance 2023 Lexus ES300h Oil Filter PG4476EX.