Oil change at 1k miles?

EmptyG · 07-18-2006, 03:37 PM

Hi all

My new Prius just passed 1K miles - and I read some people say they get their oil changed at 1,000 miles. Is this a common thing?

The guide says to wait until 5,000 miles before I go in (and yes I will be using synthetic).

Any thoughts on this?

thanks!

rfred · 07-18-2006, 03:50 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EmptyG @ Jul 18 2006, 02:37 PM) [snapback]288278[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hi all

My new Prius just passed 1K miles - and I read some people say they get their oil changed at 1,000 miles. Is this a common thing?

The guide says to wait until 5,000 miles before I go in (and yes I will be using synthetic).

Any thoughts on this?

thanks!

[/b]

IMHO I would wait until 5,000 miles; we took ours in for the free 1,000 mile oil change at our former dealer -

they insisted on using 10W40 for the oil change; we talked them out of that

they overfilled the car with 4 quarts of 5W30

they removed an average of 8 lbs. of pressure out of each of our tires and gas mileage plummeted

Bless their hearts, they won't be seeing us again, ever.

I can't think of any logical reason to change oil at 1,000 miles and I would think that the people who designed and built the car probably know the best maintenance schedule.

hyo silver · 07-18-2006, 04:06 PM

The idea behind an early first oil change is to flush out the extra metal bits resulting from the initial high-wearing break-in period. Manufacturing and tolerances have changed to the point where it's not as beneficial as it once was, nor as common. Still, there's no harm in doing so, aside from using more oil.

EmptyG · 07-18-2006, 04:41 PM

Thanks for the replies

I think I will go ahead and wait until 5k (save some $$$ and gas).

Cheap! · 07-18-2006, 04:43 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(EmptyG @ Jul 18 2006, 03:41 PM) [snapback]288324[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Thanks for the replies

I think I will go ahead and wait until 5k (save some $$$ and gas).

[/b]

I did mine at 1000 miles and I would recomend it for any new ICE!

Godiva · 07-18-2006, 04:46 PM

I see no reason to do it that early.

I had them use their dino oil for the 5,000 and 10,000 oil changes. Starting with the next one, they'll be using my Mobil 1 synthetic.

tochatihu · 07-19-2006, 04:53 PM

This probably boils down to personal preference, however...

The few initial Prius engine oil changes that have been chemically analyzed and posted to the internet so far show elevated copper and silicon. By elevated I mean levels that are not seen in later oil analyses, not that they are levels that cause the oil analysts to react with alarm. But some people will wish to get that first oil out 'ahead of schedule'.

If Toyota felt that that an early first oil change would reduce the amount of warranty work on the car, I suppose that they would specify it. On the other hand, whether an early first oil change might extend engine life 'post warranty' is simply not known for the Prius.

It will certainly cost a bit more money and add another gallon of used engine oil to the waste/recycle stream.

So it's your call, but whichever way you choose, please consider getting the first oil change analyzed. We'd love to see the results.

silentak1 · 07-19-2006, 07:39 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Jul 18 2006, 01:06 PM) [snapback]288302[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The idea behind an early first oil change is to flush out the extra metal bits resulting from the initial high-wearing break-in period. Manufacturing and tolerances have changed to the point where it's not as beneficial as it once was, nor as common. Still, there's no harm in doing so, aside from using more oil.
[/b]

Right on. I did mine at 2,500 with full synthetic. No harm except to your wallet. The initial oil will last you into the 5000 miles without a problem so changing it early is only affecting your wallet. I'm a synthetic fan so i have no regrets about it. My previous cars ran like champs with synthetics!

Yes, this is a very biased post.

Blackfang · 07-19-2006, 07:56 PM

There is no need to change the oil at 1,000 miles.

To the guy where they overfilled the oil, I would hope you caught this early, as the oil level has to be pretty much exact on these cars or it can set the check engine light off.

BVISAILMAN · 07-23-2006, 03:03 AM

The only reason I would change it at 1,000 miles (and I did) is to change over to synthetic oil. It is better for the engine and your mileage will increase a bit.

also I am putting 42 pounds of pressure in front tires and 40 in the rear. and instructing the shop to only add 3.5 quarts of oil when I change it. 4 quarts is too much and effects mileage.

07-19-2006, 04:53 PM	#7
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,413 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 39 Times in 39 Posts Friends: 14	This probably boils down to personal preference, however... The few initial Prius engine oil changes that have been chemically analyzed and posted to the internet so far show elevated copper and silicon. By elevated I mean levels that are not seen in later oil analyses, not that they are levels that cause the oil analysts to react with alarm. But some people will wish to get that first oil out 'ahead of schedule'. If Toyota felt that that an early first oil change would reduce the amount of warranty work on the car, I suppose that they would specify it. On the other hand, whether an early first oil change might extend engine life 'post warranty' is simply not known for the Prius. It will certainly cost a bit more money and add another gallon of used engine oil to the waste/recycle stream. So it's your call, but whichever way you choose, please consider getting the first oil change analyzed. We'd love to see the results. __________________ DAS Tochatihu, the Hopi hummingbird kachina

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07-18-2006, 03:37 PM	#1
EmptyG Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 39 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hi all My new Prius just passed 1K miles - and I read some people say they get their oil changed at 1,000 miles. Is this a common thing? The guide says to wait until 5,000 miles before I go in (and yes I will be using synthetic). Any thoughts on this? thanks!

07-18-2006, 04:06 PM	#3
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 10,733 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: Base Thanks: 47 Thanked 154 Times in 109 Posts Friends: 63	The idea behind an early first oil change is to flush out the extra metal bits resulting from the initial high-wearing break-in period. Manufacturing and tolerances have changed to the point where it's not as beneficial as it once was, nor as common. Still, there's no harm in doing so, aside from using more oil.

07-18-2006, 04:41 PM	#4
EmptyG Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 39 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Thanks for the replies I think I will go ahead and wait until 5k (save some $$$ and gas).

07-18-2006, 04:46 PM	#6
Godiva AmeriKan Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 10,342 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 7	I see no reason to do it that early. I had them use their dino oil for the 5,000 and 10,000 oil changes. Starting with the next one, they'll be using my Mobil 1 synthetic.

07-19-2006, 07:56 PM	#9
Blackfang Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Richmond, Va Posts: 50 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	There is no need to change the oil at 1,000 miles. To the guy where they overfilled the oil, I would hope you caught this early, as the oil level has to be pretty much exact on these cars or it can set the check engine light off.

07-23-2006, 03:03 AM	#10
BVISAILMAN Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 79 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	The only reason I would change it at 1,000 miles (and I did) is to change over to synthetic oil. It is better for the engine and your mileage will increase a bit. also I am putting 42 pounds of pressure in front tires and 40 in the rear. and instructing the shop to only add 3.5 quarts of oil when I change it. 4 quarts is too much and effects mileage.