I have an 08 tacoma Pre runner V6 and just turned 5K miles and took it in for it's first oil change at Valvoline and the guy showed me the dipstick and the oil was burned black, I thought that oil should be a light colored clear susbstance and not burned so badly on a new truck. The tech said he has heard of sludging problems with these and I thought I would try to do my homework before calling the dealer. Thanks for the help

Those knuckledraggers don't know a wrench from a hammer. Dark oil doesn't mean squat. You would need to do an analysis to figure out what the condition your oil is in.

blackstone-labs.com

There is a difference between burned black oil and black oil. I have seen quick lube places "forget" to put new oil in, air filter back on, etc. I would not trust them to know what they are talking about.

The engine is still braking in. Give it time to seal up.

Why would you take your brand new truck to a Valvoline shop for an oil change? For the price you paid for an oil change there, you could have had one done at the dealer that includes a 34-point inspection at no extra charge. How do you know the oil was burnt? Did they bring out a sample and "show" it to you or did they bring you back into the shop, pull out the dipstick in front of you and let you inspect the oil? Or did they just tell you it was burnt? Any oil after 5K miles will be black. Hell, I change my oil every 3K miles and it comes out black. That's normal. They say it's okay to change the oil every 5K miles, but I would advice against that. Doing a 3K mile oil changes is better than paying thousands of dollars later on for a piston ring replacement. Don't get suckered in by their scare tactics.

I'm a 'redneck' here in Oklahoma and I change my oil once a year and sometimes even longer but I do Oil Analysis as suggested by humanoid and my oil is fine.

My 2009 tacoma trd sr5 4x4 4d sb is still honey colored after 2,500 miles. On one of my toyotas (1986 22RE) I still had honey colored oil after 98,000 miles changing every 3000 miles. I will change my 09 this weekend. This sound about right for the 1st oil change?

I would expect the oil to be black after 5,000 miles. Its nothing to worry about. Theres no sludging problems on Tacomas (Corollas did have that issue about 5 years ago though), that tech clearly doesnt know what he is talking about.