2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid Milky oil cap

[CF7]

Hi guys. I have a '24 Cross Hybrid with the 2.0.
I just did my first oil change at 1k, and noticed the milkshake under the cap. The dipstick looks clean, the coolant is at a normal level, and the oil looked ok (although overfilled .6 quarts from the factory). Ive had the vehicle from December to March so far (cool-cold temps).
The car is driven 12 minutes to work, and 12 minutes home. No other vehicle has done this for me, but this is my first hybrid. Im on the highway for about 4 minutes out of the 12.
Would you think this is caused by my engine being hybrid and not reaching full temp for long enough?
Thank you for reading! I did attach a photo.

 

[Titan]

My guess would be the engine isn't getting hot enough to evaporate the moisture in the system.

 

[Reggaemon]

That is the cleanest Milky foam I've ever seen! And yes, that engine is not running hot enough/long enough.

 

[NiwradND]

Too short of drive to evaporate the moisture in the system is correct, i'm sure your in below freezing temperatures in the winter. (Not sure where you live.) The problem will go away once it warms up. You may want to make some longer trips in the winter or keep short oil change intervals. That why I tell people to change oil in the spring if you only do an annual oil change.

 

[JavierH19]

If i was short tripping it that much and only racking up a thousand every quarter i think I'd just get a whatever <$20 0/5w-20 and change it every 4k. Oil would heat up a bit faster too.

Though the real reason why the engine isn't heating up has to do with you using the heater as you're taking heat the engine would like to have for itself which it doesn't even get to generate for long. It will eventually heat up of course unless it's like -20f as that's where it can start to stay in limbo but it will take a lot longer.

Not telling you to sacrifice comfort as I wouldn't do that. But in the warmer period you won't be using the heater anymore so you'll let the engine enjoy the hot coolant instead.

 

[NiwradND]

The engine probably calls for a 0w16 oil?

 

[Graham Piccinini]

Yes to all those who already mentioned it. That milky stuff is condensation from your engine never getting hot enough to evaporate the water out of the oil. No harm, you only got that on the oil cap. Take the car on a nice trip, at least an hour of highway.

 

[Warstud]

Hi guys. I have a '24 Cross Hybrid with the 2.0.
I just did my first oil change at 1k, and noticed the milkshake under the cap.

I doubt it has a bad Head Gasket

 

[Leo99]

Only 1000 miles on the engine? I'd be at the dealership to let them diagnose.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

12 minutes isn't enough to warm the car up even when it's not a hybrid

 

[Warstud]

I'd be at the dealership to let them diagnose.

BITOG already did

 

[Bryanccfshr]

This engine runs cool regardless of hybrid or conventional driveline. You could try sport mode to help it get warmer and as someone suggested easy with the heater.
The moisture will resolve with warmer temps and or longer runs.
My 23 cchybrid does not have this symptom but I drive 46 miles each way for work with a large portion of it at 70 mph freeway speeds. And heavier. Traffic in the afternoon so stop and go.

Good news is I average 45 mpg on my commute. 2023 owned since Black Friday 6800 miles.

 

[ripcord]

Yuck!! In your case, I think I would be driving with a heavy right foot just to get some heat into the engine and changing more often than called for, at least in the cooler months. It would be interesting to see how it does in the summer.

 

[DirectRejection]

Toyota removed the electric thermostat on Corolla Cross vs Hatchback and Lexus UX. A mechanical thermostat is now deemed adequate and reliable.

The engine is designed to quickly get up to operating temperatures for EPA.

There is no harm in what you are seeing.

My experience.
--2019 Lexus UX 250h 150k miles.
--2022 Corolla Cross
127k miles and counting.

 

[ripcord]

Toyota removed the electric thermostat on Corolla Cross vs Hatchback and Lexus UX. A mechanical thermostat is now deemed adequate and reliable.

The engine is designed to quickly get up to operating temperatures for EPA.

There is no harm in what you are seeing.

My experience.
--2019 Lexus UX 250h 150k miles.
--2022 Corolla Cross
127k miles and counting.

No harm? That is debatable.

https://www.brookfieldengineering.com/blogs/2015/april/moisture-in-oils-the-three-headed-beast

Enough water in the oil causes acid formation, reduces TBN, reduces HTFS and corrosion.

 

[Rogueman2016s]

take that machine for a good 100 mile drive.

 

[ATex7239]

Underneath the oil cap of our Sienna (A25A) Hybrid on Dec to Mar run of 5,600 OCI with PP 0W20

I say two or three things to do here:
1) Take it to the dealer to get a record of it, if nothing else.
2) Drive it longer and/or hit the gas pedal harder on shorter runs
3) Go up in viscosity during the winter months

 

[edyvw]

It is Toyota. Takes forever to warm up. Take it on interstate where ICE will work all the time, for hour or so.

 

[paulo57509]

Not only does the engine need to get up to temperature, it needs to get there and stay there for a while.

Since your daily commute is short, take the car on the interstate for a 10-15 mile loop once a week.

 

[Triple_Se7en]

In October 2023 when I checked the 2.0 Corolla was using 0w8 oil.
Perhaps thread-starter CF7 can tell us what's listed in the 2024 Owners Manual.

I would schedule an appointment and have that oil cap contents checked-out.
CF7.... are you sure your hands weren't loaded with banana pudding when handling that oil cap?