Oil Filter

[Walker1]

Hi, I have a 2006. I will be changing the oil & filter @5K. I will be using Mobil full syn. 5/20 like the book says. Question: Who can tell me who carrys a non Toyota oil filter for a 2006 and what number it is?

Also, I always change my oil filter every 5,000 miles & top off the syn. oil. I have been running full syn. oil for many years and have never had a car with engine problems. I change the oil @ 25, 000 miles. Thanks.

[viking31]

I too am a fan of synthetics and have used them for the past 20 years. Both of the engines I have used synthetics have easily gone over 200,000 miles with no problems (gas mileage the same, no oil burn, etc.). My typical oil/filter change interval is 5,000 miles. Maybe regular dino oil could have done the same but many a thread on the internet has addressed this subject...

I don't have an answer on your filter question, but what I did want to address was when I purchased my '97 F-150 new I asked the salesman what was their position on synthetics. He was quick to answer he learned in their seminars that synthetics were fine BUT they were specifically told to relay to the customer NOT to use synthetics for the first 15,000 miles. The logic being that synthetics were too "slippery" to allow for a normal break-in.

I followed that advice and it "seemed" to work fine. I say "seemed" because I of course do not have a control test engine or nor have I broke down the engine to measure actual wear. But notwithstanding, I still have the truck and it is worth much more to me than the blue book because I consider the condition to be outstanding especially in the mechanical department.

[SomervillePrius]

When I bought a new motorcycle (the only new vehicle I have owned before my yet to be delieverd Prius) they told me the same thing. Don't use synt. oil until after the break in. I followd their advice. I can say that the engine do runs audible better with synt. oil!

[Walker1]

Originally posted by SomervillePrius@Jan 24 2006, 09:08 AM
When I bought a new motorcycle (the only new vehicle I have owned before my yet to be delieverd Prius) they told me the same thing. Don't use synt. oil until after the break in. I followd their advice. I can say that the engine do runs audible better with synt. oil!

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I have a 2005 HD Sportster 1200 CC. The HD dlr. said it was OK to use full syn. at the 1st scheduled maint. That was at 1000 miles. The HD is at 3,500 miles and running great.

[SomervillePrius]

Originally posted by Walker1@Jan 24 2006, 12:16 PM
I have a 2005 HD Sportster 1200 CC. The HD dlr. said it was OK to use full syn. at the 1st scheduled maint. That was at 1000 miles. The HD is at 3,500 miles and running great.

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Yeah I have the feeling that using dino oil for break in us mostly hearsay. My bike for reference is a 2001 BMW R1200C and it runs much smoother on synth. oil. I did wait until 12k miles to switch

[jayman]

Originally posted by Walker1@Jan 24 2006, 08:12 AM
I will be using Mobil full syn. 5/20 like the book says.

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I'm sure you meant a 5W-30, right?

Starting this winter, I began using Mobil 1 0W-20 as a "winter" oil, anticipating the bitter cold -40 mornings of the previous two winters. Instead, we've had temps far above "normal."

However, I have noticed a slight fuel economy improvement during the first 3-5 minutes of operation.

Due to other concerns, I did a used oil analysis at half the recommended oil change interval (4,000km instead of 8,000km). The results were very good indeed, extremely low wear metals. The high sodium levels were actually caused by the garbage bulk 5W-30 Mystery Oil the dealer uses.

Once I have 8,400km or so on the oil, I'll change it back to Mobil 1 0W-30 and send off another sample for testing.

My results so far indicate this motor is *very* easy on oil - at least Mobil 1 oil - and the recommended oil change interval is far too short.

As far as oil filters, there was a fellow at the Corolla forum who - having nothing better to do - took apart many different brands of oil filters. The Toyota branded filters appear to be of very high quality.

The Purolator filters also appear to be of high quality. Avoid the Fram filters in the orange cans, they're junk.

[Walker1]

Originally posted by jayman@Jan 24 2006, 11:26 AM
I'm sure you meant a 5W-30, right?

Starting this winter, I began using Mobil 1 0W-20 as a "winter" oil, anticipating the bitter cold -40 mornings of the previous two winters. Instead, we've had temps far above "normal."

However, I have noticed a slight fuel economy improvement during the first 3-5 minutes of operation.

Due to other concerns, I did a used oil analysis at half the recommended oil change interval (4,000km instead of 8,000km). The results were very good indeed, extremely low wear metals. The high sodium levels were actually caused by the garbage bulk 5W-30 Mystery Oil the dealer uses.

Once I have 8,400km or so on the oil, I'll change it back to Mobil 1 0W-30 and send off another sample for testing.

My results so far indicate this motor is *very* easy on oil - at least Mobil 1 oil - and the recommended oil change interval is far too short.

As far as oil filters, there was a fellow at the Corolla forum who - having nothing better to do - took apart many different brands of oil filters. The Toyota branded filters appear to be of very high quality.

The Purolator filters also appear to be of high quality. Avoid the Fram filters in the orange cans, they're junk.

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Yes, I meant 5/30. Do you have a purolator #? Do you know if it fits an '06? I use only Mobil 1 syn. or Castrol syn. I change the filter at 5K and have not had any problems in my last 15? or so cars. My bike runs quite well on syn.

[Walker1]

Originally posted by SomervillePrius@Jan 24 2006, 11:20 AM
Yeah I have the feeling that using dino oil for break in us mostly hearsay. My bike for reference is a 2001 BMW R1200C and it runs much smoother on synth. oil. I did wait until 12k miles to switch

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The service mgr. at the Harley dlr. told me it was OK to use syn. at 1,000 miles. Of course it has to be HD 20/50 special blend. At $9 a qt. it's pricey, but I don't put tons of miles on my bike. I've had it for 1 1/2 yrs. and just turned 3,500 miles. My next scheduled maint. is @ 5K. I also love getting a solid 50 MPG! At 75 HP my Hog is anything but.

[jayman]

Originally posted by Walker1@Jan 24 2006, 11:35 AM
Yes, I meant 5/30. Do you have a purolator #? Do you know if it fits an '06? I use only Mobil 1 syn. or Castrol syn. I change the filter at 5K and have not had any problems in my last 15? or so cars. My bike runs quite well on syn.

[snapback]196205[/snapback]

Sorry, I don't have a Purolator #. Ask the Toyota parts manager if the 2004-2006 Prius oil filters are the same. If they are, you should be able to reference to a Purolator # by using the 2004 Prius. Most parts books are 1-2 years behind.

As far as Castrol synthetic, you mean the Syntec stuff, right? I hope you're aware that most Syntec products are "blends" and not "real" synthetic. The exception is Castrol Syntec 0W-30, which has a slightly green color and smells like Gummi Bears.

If you look at the back of a bottle of Castrol Syntec 0W-30, it claims to meet stringent European ACEA specifications, and also claims "Made In Germany."

If you do a search about "oil sample" or "Mobil 1" and my forum name, you should find the used oil sample I did on Mobil 1 0W-30. The wear metals with 5,000mi oil changes are insignificant, the oil is clearly good for much longer intervals.

I thought I had a problem with high Na levels. It turns out, after a lot of legwork and wasted time on my part, the bulk dealer 5W-30 Mystery Oil had extremely high Na levels. My dealer uses garbage oil.

[Zacher]

Uh-oh! I've never heard that advice about break-in with conventional oil before switching to synthetic! I switched my Prius' oil right away, after about 200 miles.

Now what...?