Scotty I have a 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime SE and it has almost 10,000 miles as I do a lot of highway driving and since I don't trust dealerships changing my oil due to a bad experience I change my own oil. I realize I smelled oil and gas and saw when I opened up the hood to check I forgot to put the oil cap back on but I drove 42 miles and didn't smell any oil until the gas motor kicked in. I put the oil cap back on and everything seems ok. Should I be worried or did my Prime run on electric motors alone for 42 miles ?
Just make sure the oil level is full on the dipstick. Otherwise no worries. The car will be fine.
Some questions: Did you lose any oil? Is any oil in the engine compartment? Those are my first two questions.
For me, if I was in this situation, I'd drain and fill the oil with new stock (especially if it was raining, while you were driving). You undoubtedly picked up some moisture over the 42 miles, with the exposed oil. That's never good for the engine.
As for the filter, it's your call. I'd change it, since it's a cheap, sacrificial item.
Remember what Scotty has said: "Oil is cheap. Engines are expensive."
