new (believe it or not) info about Oil Changes

john1701a · 10-13-2006, 11:24 PM

The fact that I had exceeded 60,000 miles with my HSD Prius (the engine warranty expired) and that I had previously owned a Classic Prius made the decision to lengthen the oil change interval was pretty easy, especially using synthetic.

The Classic had been 7,500 miles. I was always impressed by how easy it was on the oil. True, the HSD has a redline that's 500 RPM faster. But with that larger electric motor, the engine doesn't get worked as hard anyway. So, I thought what the heck. After all, other countries go longer than the 5,000 standard. And it is likely Toyota conformed to that in part just to simplify maintenance schedules.

Anywho, I just did the change this evening. The condition of the oil was most definitely in better shape (darkness and thickness) than the garbage that typically comes out of a non-hybrid. So I was quite pleased and see no reason not to continue this way.

- - - - - - -

As for the method of change, I have always lifted up the engine side of the vehicle... with a jack from just behind the front tire. Quite a number of people have pointed out doing that tips the oil pan just enough to prevent complete drainage. I wasn't concerned, knowing how easy the hybrid system was on oil. But I had always been curious about how much that actually was. So today, I measured.

There was precisely 2 ounces left behind. The owner recommended fill amount is 3.5 quarts. That converts to 112 ounces. So the calculation works out to less than 2 percent, a somewhat trivial amount as assumed. I don't think many people will care. And if they do, just lowering the Prius before putting the plugging the pan is all it take to drain those 2 ounces. Not a big deal, though harder to reach if you don't jack back up afterward.

**efusco** · 10-13-2006, 11:58 PM

John, for much the same reasons I plan to got to every 10k mile changes after the 60k mark too. See no reason to do it sooner as several people have done oil analysis at 10k with almost no abnormalities shown.

silentak1 · 10-14-2006, 06:04 AM

Yeah I do the 10k interval and sometimes even 15k (if i've done mostly highway driving). Everything comes out fine, no metal shilling or anything strange.

Rick Grahn · 10-14-2006, 07:15 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(silentak1 @ Oct 14 2006, 04:04 AM) [snapback]332659[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Yeah I do the 10k interval and sometimes even 15k (if i've done mostly highway driving). Everything comes out fine, no metal shilling or anything strange.
[/b]

I have 52000 miles on my '05 now and change oil every 5000 miles. I do about 95% highway driving. When I get to 60000 I plan to extend that to 10000 miles. Here I thought I was going to be the only one to do that. I was going to post this intent earlier but thought I would get blasted by others on the forum.

Ray Moore · 10-14-2006, 08:26 AM

10000 miles on mobil1 is great. When the maintainance ligh burns steady, cancel it and then pay attention to it the second time around.

Don't worry about getting blasted around here. I've been blasted for using neutral, putting in gas beyond the first click off, driving for 100 miles on a flashing gas guage bar, and a few other things. It's the price we pay to be able to talk to the rest of the great people around here.

BobZ · 10-14-2006, 08:34 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ray Moore @ Oct 14 2006, 08:26 AM) [snapback]332668[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

10000 miles on mobil1 is great. When the maintainance ligh burns steady, cancel it and then pay attention to it the second time around.

Don't worry about getting blasted around here. I've been blasted for using neutral, putting in gas beyond the first click off, driving for 100 miles on a flashing gas guage bar, and a few other things. It's the price we pay to be able to talk to the rest of the great people around here.
[/b]

While we're on the subject of oil...I'm at 3500 and am ready with my Mobil 1 anf toyo filter. My question is there a oil light reset? My friend said his Maint. Reqd. light flashed at 5k which indicated an oil change was due. Is this true and if so how does it get reset?

stanleyjohn · 10-14-2006, 08:49 AM

I was just wondering <_< .Since the ice does not run all the time!anyone ever figure out how many real miles were used by the ice vs the electric.Is this why 5k is considered normal change time?I reality maybe the ice was running for 3000miles.

rudiger · 10-14-2006, 12:10 PM

Since BMW performs the maintenance under warranty, the Oil Change Interval (OCI) with Mobil 1 on all their cars is 15k miles. I suspect that if Toyota were paying for the oil changes on the Prius, the OCI with Mobil 1 would magically be lengthened from every 5k miles to a similiar duration.

IOW, it seems that when the manufacturer is paying for the oil changes, the interval is dramatically longer than when the customer is paying...

**efusco** · 10-14-2006, 12:22 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(BobZ @ Oct 14 2006, 07:34 AM) [snapback]332673[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

While we're on the subject of oil...I'm at 3500 and am ready with my Mobil 1 anf toyo filter. My question is there a oil light reset? My friend said his Maint. Reqd. light flashed at 5k which indicated an oil change was due. Is this true and if so how does it get reset?

[/b]

4500 mile after the last reset the maint. req. light will come on briefly with a single beep when you start the car. At 5k miles after the last reset it will come on and stay on until you reset.

Usually the place that fills your oil will reset the maint. req. light for you. If they don't know how (likely depending upon where you have it done), or forget, or you change your own oil you can reset it yourself by making sure the ODO is set to ODO (not trip A or trip

, power down, then hold down the ODO button on the dash while you power up. continue to hold the button down until you see the ODO display 'fill up' then show the actual Odometer reading.

Cheap! · 10-14-2006, 12:27 PM

BobZ, Yes the light will come on and there is an easy way to shut it off. Just do a search for "Maintenance Required light" and the instructions are there. Also, If you order now you can have a fumoto oil drain valve in time to install it at your next oil change. Don't get one if you don't plan to keep the car, or if you don't plan to do your own oil changes.

I change mine at 5k intervals. I'm excitedly waiting for my next oil change so I can use my installed drain valve for the first time. That, along with using a 1 liter bottle to wrap around and catch my filter when I remove it, should make for a very clean oil change. I won't even need tools.

10-13-2006, 11:24 PM	#1
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,375 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 9 Thanked 145 Times in 70 Posts Friends: 12	The fact that I had exceeded 60,000 miles with my HSD Prius (the engine warranty expired) and that I had previously owned a Classic Prius made the decision to lengthen the oil change interval was pretty easy, especially using synthetic. The Classic had been 7,500 miles. I was always impressed by how easy it was on the oil. True, the HSD has a redline that's 500 RPM faster. But with that larger electric motor, the engine doesn't get worked as hard anyway. So, I thought what the heck. After all, other countries go longer than the 5,000 standard. And it is likely Toyota conformed to that in part just to simplify maintenance schedules. Anywho, I just did the change this evening. The condition of the oil was most definitely in better shape (darkness and thickness) than the garbage that typically comes out of a non-hybrid. So I was quite pleased and see no reason not to continue this way. - - - - - - - As for the method of change, I have always lifted up the engine side of the vehicle... with a jack from just behind the front tire. Quite a number of people have pointed out doing that tips the oil pan just enough to prevent complete drainage. I wasn't concerned, knowing how easy the hybrid system was on oil. But I had always been curious about how much that actually was. So today, I measured. There was precisely 2 ounces left behind. The owner recommended fill amount is 3.5 quarts. That converts to 112 ounces. So the calculation works out to less than 2 percent, a somewhat trivial amount as assumed. I don't think many people will care. And if they do, just lowering the Prius before putting the plugging the pan is all it take to drain those 2 ounces. Not a big deal, though harder to reach if you don't jack back up afterward. __________________ JOHN http://john1701a.com 52.5 MPG average @ 10,362 miles

10-14-2006, 12:27 PM	#10
Cheap! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,157 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 4	BobZ, Yes the light will come on and there is an easy way to shut it off. Just do a search for "Maintenance Required light" and the instructions are there. Also, If you order now you can have a fumoto oil drain valve in time to install it at your next oil change. Don't get one if you don't plan to keep the car, or if you don't plan to do your own oil changes. I change mine at 5k intervals. I'm excitedly waiting for my next oil change so I can use my installed drain valve for the first time. That, along with using a 1 liter bottle to wrap around and catch my filter when I remove it, should make for a very clean oil change. I won't even need tools. __________________ * Classic Silver, Prius Plus Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Conversion EV Button Free Reverse Beep Mod, Mirror Mod, Aerodynamic hubcaps, * Almost Free Anytime Reverse Video, Anytime Forward View Video, Fumoto F103N Oil Drain Valve, Almost Free Speed Wire Interrupt, Almost Free Navigation Override switch, Dual Microphone Mod In Dash DVD Theater, *V4 CAN-View </span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Mods wanted in the near future - Hydraulic Brake -Pressure Indicator -Hobbits Vacuum “Good vs. Bad” Driving Indicator

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
CD Info - Ipod Info	bwsmar	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	3	04-24-2007 01:32 AM
Consumer Reports releases new reliability info, satisfaction info and recommendation	cwerdna	Other Cars	6	03-04-2007 10:17 PM
Lug Nut info please	pre-cbs	Gen II Prius Main Forum	2	06-15-2006 09:06 PM
Crash testing, tire info, airbag info and more.	Three60guy	Gen II Prius Main Forum	10	04-01-2006 09:31 PM
Nav/GPS info	ekc	Gen II Prius Audio and Electronics	0	12-28-2004 09:52 AM

10-13-2006, 11:58 PM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	John, for much the same reasons I plan to got to every 10k mile changes after the 60k mark too. See no reason to do it sooner as several people have done oil analysis at 10k with almost no abnormalities shown.

10-14-2006, 06:04 AM	#3
silentak1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 548 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Yeah I do the 10k interval and sometimes even 15k (if i've done mostly highway driving). Everything comes out fine, no metal shilling or anything strange.

10-14-2006, 08:26 AM	#5
Ray Moore Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 820 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	10000 miles on mobil1 is great. When the maintainance ligh burns steady, cancel it and then pay attention to it the second time around. Don't worry about getting blasted around here. I've been blasted for using neutral, putting in gas beyond the first click off, driving for 100 miles on a flashing gas guage bar, and a few other things. It's the price we pay to be able to talk to the rest of the great people around here.

10-14-2006, 08:49 AM	#7
stanleyjohn Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Higganum,Ct Posts: 269 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	I was just wondering <_< .Since the ice does not run all the time!anyone ever figure out how many real miles were used by the ice vs the electric.Is this why 5k is considered normal change time?I reality maybe the ice was running for 3000miles.

10-14-2006, 12:10 PM	#8
rudiger Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 568 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Since BMW performs the maintenance under warranty, the Oil Change Interval (OCI) with Mobil 1 on all their cars is 15k miles. I suspect that if Toyota were paying for the oil changes on the Prius, the OCI with Mobil 1 would magically be lengthened from every 5k miles to a similiar duration. IOW, it seems that when the manufacturer is paying for the oil changes, the interval is dramatically longer than when the customer is paying...