Change your own oil!

[hammy]

After hearing so many stories about dealers I decided to go back to changing the oil myself as I did back in the 70's. I could not believe how easy it is to change the filter and oil on the Prius! Driving up on ramps you do not even have to get under the car. The filter and oil pan bolt is up front on the passanger side and so easy to get at. It took 5 minutes. I used Mobil 1 High Performance Synthetic 5W-30 (3.9qts) and a Mobil 1 High performance filter. Total cost is $30.00 and the oil and filter are much better than the dealers.

[bruceha_2000]

Originally Posted by hammy

I used Mobil 1 High Performance Synthetic 5W-30 (3.9qts).

Check your oil level. I will be very surprised if it is not over the top mark, almost 1/4". I know what the manual says. I know what the oil change guy at the dealer says. My cars say different, both our Prii hit the mark with 3 quarts, 18 oz. You can put in 3.5 quarts and be just below the top mark. Not a problem.

[Highly ImPriused]

An even better idea IMO is to put in exactly 3 quarts and have the oil level half way between the high and low marks.

[edthefox5]

Originally Posted by bruceha_2000

Check your oil level. I will be very surprised if it is not over the top mark, almost 1/4". I know what the manual says. I know what the oil change guy at the dealer says. My cars say different, both our Prii hit the mark with 3 quarts, 18 oz. You can put in 3.5 quarts and be just below the top mark. Not a problem.

Exactly. 3.5 with new filter.
I have tried the below the mark oil trick and have seen no difference on mpg's. Maybe you have to go way below the mark which I'm not willing to do. In fact when the car is delivered to you from the factory its always overfilled about an 1/8th of an inch over. I think Toyota put that oil level mark on this car for a reason. Thats where the oil level should be.At full your nowheres near the crank which could be the only reason it would take a hit on mileage. If the crank/piston rod was hitting the oil in the oil pan.
But I bet even if the piston rod was hitting the oil a little it still would'nt
give you a mileage hit.It would just be foaming the oil which is a bad thing.

[Highly ImPriused]

Originally Posted by edthefox5

I think Toyota put that oil level mark on this car for a reason. Thats where the oil level should be.

There are two marks on the dipstick. One is high and the other is low. The owner's manual states that anywhere in this range is an acceptable oil level. 3.0 quarts with a new filter puts the level right at the midpoint between these two marks. I can understand not wanting to be right at the low mark to allow for a margin of safety in case you burn a bit of oil (I've never seen my oil level drop though). I don't see why anyone would want to use more oil than is necessary.

[freshmtt]

Does someone have pics to show how to do this?, I have never even attempted to change my own oil in a car. I have no idea how to even go about this, but if it is as easy as it seems according to the OP then I might even give this a shot myself.

If anyone can direct me to detailed pics, that would be great!

[Highly ImPriused]

Originally Posted by freshmtt

Does someone have pics to show how to do this?, I have never even attempted to change my own oil in a car. I have no idea how to even go about this, but if it is as easy as it seems according to the OP then I might even give this a shot myself.

If anyone can direct me to detailed pics, that would be great!

Here is exactly what you're looking for: John's Stuff - Toyota Prius Maintenance - Changing Oil

I had never done an oil change myself before this car either and I had no problems whatsoever following this guide. It's super easy (and very satisfying).

[lefat1]

Originally Posted by freshmtt

Does someone have pics to show how to do this?, I have never even attempted to change my own oil in a car. I have no idea how to even go about this, but if it is as easy as it seems according to the OP then I might even give this a shot myself.

If anyone can direct me to detailed pics, that would be great!

do you have some mechanical aptitude? if not do not attempt!

[freshmtt]

Originally Posted by lefat1

do you have some mechanical aptitude? if not do not attempt!

Yes, I'm actually pretty good at fixing lots of things around the house, I can change electrical outlets, work on basic plumbing, I clean my own furnace every fall and save the $95 to have a Heating/AC guy come out and do it. I can read and follow directions very well as long as the directions are clear and good picture diagrams are available.

My husband knows how to change oil and used to do it all the time when he lived in Europe and Africa, so I can always ask him for guidance. If this is so easy, and very accessable then I can probably do it myself. I just never took an interest in trying to learn.

[rwhoyle]

Just had my first oil change done on my car at the local Toyota Dealership. I was insistant and specified 3.5 quarts only and not the 3.9 listed in the Owners Manual. I checked the dip stick the next morning and the oil level was about 1/8" below the full mark, just where I was hoping it would be. I did this on my wife's Prius earlier in the year with the same results, so I believe specifying only adding 3.5 quarts on a oil change is a good solution to the "oil change overfill problem" that others have encountered. The tech who I dealt with was resistant at first and wanted to add the full 3.9 quarts. After some discussion, he stated adding 3.5 quarts would not be a problem as they physically input the desired oil volumn into the oil despenser. He did state the 3.5 quart volume would not indicate a full level on the dip stick. He also noted on the Dealership Invoice the the customer had specified only 3.5 quarts to be added.