Long Chat with Toyota Mechanic Today

[tochatihu]

There are quite a few used engine oil analyses posted at Prius Chat. From them I can detect no indication of increased engine wear using oil with viscosity less than 5W30.

The OP's mechanic is aware that the Prius engine is 'spun up' before fuel and spark are applied, I hope. Most cars (with which he is abundantly familiar no doubt) are a bit more brutal about that.

[Shawn Clark]

Originally Posted by jayman

Another area to watch out for is a conventional rear wheel drive vehicle. Switch a high mileage rear end to synthetic gear lube, expect to change the pinion seal and axle seals. Been there, done that, never again

I didn't have that trouble in my 240, ran it about 70,000 miles more after that. Seems like I had to select a specific grade of synthetic gear lube though.

[a priori]

Originally Posted by JSH

After the problems Toyota had with engine sludging I would expect them to be very sensitive to the type of oil you use and the interval you change it.

I had a nice long chat with the Service Manager at my dealer's place earlier this week. First of all, he was quite well aware of the new 2010, and he was very ready to take whatever time I wanted to talk with me about the Gen2 and Gen3 Prius.

I asked whether we would see a longer period allowed between oil changes, and he said "No!" -- rather emphatically, in fact. His number 1 reason? The black eye Toyota received over the sludging was going to keep Toyota from making any changes to the oil change schedule.

Originally Posted by JimboK

As for potential warranty issues with the EBH, it's a Toyota (Canada) part and Toyota built the block to take it.

Originally Posted by FireEngineer

As others have said it's a Toyota part. It's listed in the dealers third party parts book, most never look there. As Jimbo said the engine block has a hole cast just for receiving the EBH.

I've not yet talked with a Toyota sales person or mechanic in this area who knows anything about the EBH. They aren't even aware of the hole in the block. Many have said that it might endanger the warranty, and they've been confused over the fact that the part I have is a Toyota Canada part.

Originally Posted by galaxee

99% of US dealers are unaware of the toyota canada EBH part. he was assuming the other type of block heater. wrong, yes. but knowing canadian parts catalogs does not fit his job description.

the 2010 technician training modules just came out on TIS a few days ago. i bet many have not gotten around to going through them yet. techs don't generally deviate from specs like oil due to warranty and etc issues.

I'm quite pleased that the guy in charge of the mechanics at my dealership was entirely up-to-speed on the 2010 Prius. Even if he didn't know about the EBH (but was interested in learning more about it), he was way ahead in the "So, I'm a mechanic and you're not -- that doesn't mean I can't learn something new from you" attitude.

[jayman]

Originally Posted by Shawn Clark

I didn't have that trouble in my 240, ran it about 70,000 miles more after that. Seems like I had to select a specific grade of synthetic gear lube though.

I made the change on an early 1990's Chevy Caprice, at the time it had around 90,000 miles on it. Within a month, the pinion seal and both axle seals were dripping

What I learned from that debacle was to either do an *early* initial change, say before 10,000 miles, or leave it alone.

Lesson learned

[ETP]

Anyone use 0W40?

[jayman]

I've run Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula in my FJ with excellent used oil analysis results, using a 7,600 mile oil change interval. This is a very good oil, and my FJ motor has a tendency to shear oil

I'm currently running the made in Germany Castrol Syntec 0W-30 in the FJ. It's also supposed to be a very good oil. I'll sample the oil sometime in Sept or Oct to determine how well it works

I switched to the Syntec as the Mobil 1 0W-40 is now very hard to find around here. I stocked up a bit before it disappeared, only have enough oil for a couple of FJ oil changes

There shouldn't be any measurible difference in fuel economy with a Prius running 0W-40. The first summer I had my Prius, I had 3 litres of leftover 15W-40 after changing the oil in the hobby farm tractor and work truck.

I ran the 15W-40 for the summer, perhaps lost 3 mpg with my '04 Prius. So I wouldn't be afraid running 0W-40. Just not sure if there is anything to gain.

For most of my '04 Prius ownership, I ran Mobil 1 0W-20 with great results. Excellent used oil analysis results even at 16,000 km intervals