I have a question about my 1994 Toyota 4Runner. Briefly, I had the oil changed last week at Jiffy Lube, I had tires, new shocks replaced today. Today, I notice the temperature guage on the dash reading for first time ever. Oil level seems to be ok as does oil pressure. The tires are 1 size larger than stock, but that has been the case for past 60,000 miles (the redneck in me). I think I see a drop of oil on drain plug - perhaps slow leak? My first thought was something with the tires or shocks, but that makes no sense unless somehow the larger tires (32 x 11.5 as opposed to 31 x 10.5) caused excess resistance - not likely, especially since I've had these on. Could low oil cause this, or is it more likely to be the cooling system, a faulty temperature guage or a poorly reactive water cooler, or the water pump? Please help - of course it is Saturday & nothing is open tonight or tomorrow - so I get to think about it for more time than I'd like. Thanks for any advice!

 

when you say the first time its reading for the first time ever, do you mean its sitting in the middle, or is it heating up too much, getting up near the red?

 

So do you mean the gauge never read anything before and now it does?

Did you check the oil level to make sure it is ok? coolant level?
Have you had a headgasket done recently?

 

Just check all the fluids yourself, while the vehicle is cool. Then drive it. Log back in and re-describe what's going on again.

 

Did they use the same weight of motor oil?
Friction causes heat,
Thick oil causes more friction.