How hard is an oil change on this thing?

Memberoffoxhound · 10-14-2007, 09:52 PM

Or any other car for that matter...

This is just a bad wrap I had at the dealer last week when I took my prius in for it's 5000 mile oil change. They overfilled the oil by a half a quart (I've been reading about that here with some other people). On top of that, the service man tried to tell me that I went way too long and that my oil was gunky and jet black and that it has to be changed every 3000 miles...

These guys obviously don't know a thing about hybrids. The person who pulled my car out of the service bay didn't even know how to engage Park!

Moral of the story is this, Toyota service techs need a lesson on hybrid technology. The idiots programmed my maintenance computer to light up after 3000 miles haha... I went in and changed it.

Any of you have horror stories like this?

Bruce

**Tideland Prius** · 10-14-2007, 11:46 PM

Oddly enough, Prius techs need to be Master Techs first before applying for a Prius tech cert.

But then again, if it's an oil change, I guess anyone technican can do it hence your experience.

I don't think you can program the MAIN'T REQ'D light can you? It just comes on at 4,500 mile and stays on at 5,000 miles.

It should be similar to a regular car in terms of changing the oil yourself.

john1701a · 10-14-2007, 11:53 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Foxhound @ Oct 14 2007, 08:52 PM) [snapback]525645[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Any of you have horror stories like this?[/b]

It's more a matter of frustration.

Owners are obviously seeking info on how to just do it themselves... since the download rate for the CHANGING OIL document have been over 2,000 per month for quick some time now.

And fortunately, Prius makes it pretty easy.

MickeyA · 10-15-2007, 01:55 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Oct 14 2007, 11:53 PM) [snapback]525698[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

It's more a matter of frustration.

Owners are obviously seeking info on how to just do it themselves... since the download rate for the CHANGING OIL document have been over 2,000 per month for quick some time now.

And fortunately, Prius makes it pretty easy.
[/b]

Easiest oil change i have ever done. I cna now finish in <30 minutes & that includes cleanup.
The hardest part really is getting the old filter off the filter wrench during CLEANUP.

subarutoo · 10-16-2007, 04:06 PM

The biggest drawback is the car's low ground clearance. Unless you jack it a little, the filter is "change by Braille". I hate to reach up in there with a nicely filled oil filter and run into the dirt and stuff below the engine. That said, it can be done, and its not that big a deal once you do it a few times. As a matter of fact, if you do the required tire rotate at the same time, you have to jack the car anyway. I only rotate tires every other oil change (10K miles). In 44,000+ miles, I've never been back to the dealer, and the tires still look good @ 10,000 mile rotations. Give the oil a try, you'll need a small size filter wrench. I got mine at Walmart for about $5. It fits on the end of the filter and has a 3/8 drive for a ratchet extension (short).

onerpm · 10-17-2007, 03:06 PM

I changed my oil Saturday and it wasn't a fun one! I'd done it many times before on my prior Prii, but this was the first time on my 2006, because the dealer gave me freebies at 5 and 10k.
No problem getting the drain plug off (I don't jack it up), and I replaced the OEM plug with a Fumoto valve. However, I could not get the filter off, even though I have the cap-end wrench that's worked fine in the past. The dealer must have over-tightened. I rounded off the filter trying to get it off, and the cap-end just spun. I have a half-dozen other oil filter wrenches of different philosophies, but, as many of you know, there is little to no clearance around the sides of the filter. I finally put the Mobil 1 in, drove to a local mechanic, and the counter guy walked out there and cracked it loose for me on his first try, with a band-type wrench.
Doh. But wait, I get even more stupid.
Then I drive home, debating whether, if I just took the filter off, the entire 3 quarts of Mobil1 would drain out that spot. I ended up chickening out and draining it through the Fumoto, then changing the filter and filling it up with 3 more quarts of expensive synthetic oil. I make sure the filler cap and dipstick are in place, back it out of the garage, and let it run a little. Then I top it off with a half-quart to get it to the top line on the stick, let it sit a bit, and check for leaks. None.
But, I apparently did NOT put the filler cap back on the second time.
Next day (having driven 100 freeway miles in between), I pull out of my garage and notice a big oil stain on the floor. Yikes. I'm hoping the filter is a little loose, or that the Fumoto is a little loose and not defective. Put newspaper underneath, wait a bit, and see it's dripping from further back on the engine. Yikes. Open the hood, find my filler cap still sitting there on top of the manifold, oil sprayed up and over the rear of the engine.
Good news is, I only lost about 1/4 quart of oil. Topped it off and it's been fine since.
Net result, I wasted 3 1/4 quarts of synthetic oil, and took about 3-4 hours of time to do what I should have done in 30 minutes.
Doh.
rpm

skruse · 10-17-2007, 03:20 PM

The Prius is an extremely simple oil & filter change - you do not need to raise the body. The Prius ICE is the same as the Toyota Echo ICE.

I stopped going to the dealer for routine service (too much ignorance). Purchase Mobil 1 oil at Costco, Mobil 1 double oil filters on line and oil changes are very quick and easy.

Sufferin' Prius Envy · 10-17-2007, 03:21 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(onerpm @ Oct 17 2007, 12:06 PM) [snapback]527007[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Net result, I wasted 3 1/4 quarts of synthetic oil, and took about 3-4 hours of time to do what I should have done in 30 minutes.[/b]

The good news is you now know how NOT to do it in the future.
You can now be certified as a Prius Oil Change Expert via the trial by fire method of learning.

subarutoo · 10-17-2007, 03:45 PM

I too, left the cap off, and drove 45 miles on the freeway, smelling oil. What a mess. Sometimes lernin' can be painfull. You shouldn't change oil in the dark, I guess.

PA Prius · 10-17-2007, 03:46 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(onerpm @ Oct 17 2007, 03:06 PM) [snapback]527007[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Doh.
rpm
[/b]

Just to make you feel better... Years ago on my first oil change on my Porsche 914, after draining the oil, and putting the plug back in, I opened the cap and poured in the four quarts and drove away. I noticed that the oil light didn't go out AND that the clutch was slipping some.... I had poured the oil in the hole that was to be used to check the clutch.

PA P

10-16-2007, 04:06 PM	#5
subarutoo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chatsworth, CA Posts: 1,176 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	The biggest drawback is the car's low ground clearance. Unless you jack it a little, the filter is "change by Braille". I hate to reach up in there with a nicely filled oil filter and run into the dirt and stuff below the engine. That said, it can be done, and its not that big a deal once you do it a few times. As a matter of fact, if you do the required tire rotate at the same time, you have to jack the car anyway. I only rotate tires every other oil change (10K miles). In 44,000+ miles, I've never been back to the dealer, and the tires still look good @ 10,000 mile rotations. Give the oil a try, you'll need a small size filter wrench. I got mine at Walmart for about $5. It fits on the end of the filter and has a 3/8 drive for a ratchet extension (short). __________________ Chatsworth, CA 06 Prius, White, Option 6, Visual Garage Shark Fin Antenna, BT Chassis Plate, BFG G-Force Sport 205-60 15 NO trim rings, Scangauge II. Other cars: '96 Subaru Outback, '00 Subaru Impreza RS

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10-14-2007, 09:52 PM	#1
Memberoffoxhound Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Or any other car for that matter... This is just a bad wrap I had at the dealer last week when I took my prius in for it's 5000 mile oil change. They overfilled the oil by a half a quart (I've been reading about that here with some other people). On top of that, the service man tried to tell me that I went way too long and that my oil was gunky and jet black and that it has to be changed every 3000 miles... These guys obviously don't know a thing about hybrids. The person who pulled my car out of the service bay didn't even know how to engage Park! Moral of the story is this, Toyota service techs need a lesson on hybrid technology. The idiots programmed my maintenance computer to light up after 3000 miles haha... I went in and changed it. Any of you have horror stories like this? Bruce

10-14-2007, 11:46 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,606 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 344 Times in 243 Posts Friends: 23	Oddly enough, Prius techs need to be Master Techs first before applying for a Prius tech cert. But then again, if it's an oil change, I guess anyone technican can do it hence your experience. I don't think you can program the MAIN'T REQ'D light can you? It just comes on at 4,500 mile and stays on at 5,000 miles. It should be similar to a regular car in terms of changing the oil yourself.

10-17-2007, 03:06 PM	#6
onerpm Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MN Posts: 477 My Car: Other Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I changed my oil Saturday and it wasn't a fun one! I'd done it many times before on my prior Prii, but this was the first time on my 2006, because the dealer gave me freebies at 5 and 10k. No problem getting the drain plug off (I don't jack it up), and I replaced the OEM plug with a Fumoto valve. However, I could not get the filter off, even though I have the cap-end wrench that's worked fine in the past. The dealer must have over-tightened. I rounded off the filter trying to get it off, and the cap-end just spun. I have a half-dozen other oil filter wrenches of different philosophies, but, as many of you know, there is little to no clearance around the sides of the filter. I finally put the Mobil 1 in, drove to a local mechanic, and the counter guy walked out there and cracked it loose for me on his first try, with a band-type wrench. Doh. But wait, I get even more stupid. Then I drive home, debating whether, if I just took the filter off, the entire 3 quarts of Mobil1 would drain out that spot. I ended up chickening out and draining it through the Fumoto, then changing the filter and filling it up with 3 more quarts of expensive synthetic oil. I make sure the filler cap and dipstick are in place, back it out of the garage, and let it run a little. Then I top it off with a half-quart to get it to the top line on the stick, let it sit a bit, and check for leaks. None. But, I apparently did NOT put the filler cap back on the second time. Next day (having driven 100 freeway miles in between), I pull out of my garage and notice a big oil stain on the floor. Yikes. I'm hoping the filter is a little loose, or that the Fumoto is a little loose and not defective. Put newspaper underneath, wait a bit, and see it's dripping from further back on the engine. Yikes. Open the hood, find my filler cap still sitting there on top of the manifold, oil sprayed up and over the rear of the engine. Good news is, I only lost about 1/4 quart of oil. Topped it off and it's been fine since. Net result, I wasted 3 1/4 quarts of synthetic oil, and took about 3-4 hours of time to do what I should have done in 30 minutes. Doh. rpm

10-17-2007, 03:20 PM	#7
skruse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Great Central Valley, Fresno, CA Posts: 1,206 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 6 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 2	The Prius is an extremely simple oil & filter change - you do not need to raise the body. The Prius ICE is the same as the Toyota Echo ICE. I stopped going to the dealer for routine service (too much ignorance). Purchase Mobil 1 oil at Costco, Mobil 1 double oil filters on line and oil changes are very quick and easy.

10-17-2007, 03:45 PM	#9
subarutoo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chatsworth, CA Posts: 1,176 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	I too, left the cap off, and drove 45 miles on the freeway, smelling oil. What a mess. Sometimes lernin' can be painfull. You shouldn't change oil in the dark, I guess.