I have too much oil in my new Prius

Ricardo · 03-16-2005, 09:47 AM

I just picked up my new Prius several days ago and after reading several posts here about being careful to never overfill the Prius with oil, I checked the oil this morning (cold engine). It is measuring 1/8 inch above the full mark. I am taking it in to the dealer this morning, but I'd like to know if any damage has been done (driven 200 miles).

RBW111 · 03-16-2005, 10:14 AM

Check your manual. The engine should be at operating temp. when you check your oil. This makes a big difference

rick57 · 03-16-2005, 10:38 AM

And leave it set about 5 minutes before checking. At 1/8 over,nothing has happened to the engine. All is ok

DaveinOlyWA · 03-16-2005, 11:05 AM

ok rick,

a question that i would really like to know is

how far over is where concern should be? i realize that checking the level when the engine is warm may not be a possibility with the technician if the engine isnt warm when it gets there.

so is ½" ok? ¼"?

paprius4030 · 03-16-2005, 11:27 AM

Also don't forget the car should be absolutly level.

rick57 · 03-16-2005, 12:34 PM

In my opinion,I think 1/4 would be that absolute highest,an 1/8 should be better.. I know that it is still overfilled in some peoples eyes,but a lot of time it is hard to get it precisely at the "full" mark. It should be as close to "full" as possible though. I know a lot of members want it no more then "full" and that is ok,everyone has there own opinions,but I wouldn't be to picky if it were mine. I know there are TSB's about the "No Start" , P3191 problems and to make sure the oil is the proper level and viscosity. But here at the shop,I have seen no Trouble Codes from oil overfull.But then most of our Prius' sold here always have their maintenance done here. I have tried to keep an eye on my oil changes lately. Our oil delivery system is metered out by the tenth and I have noticed they are over slightly. So I have begun to try and get them(parts dept) to meter out slightly less to try and see where "full" might be on an oil change. I know I will get a lot of flack back on this but as I said,everyone has their own opinion on this issue.

richard schumacher · 03-16-2005, 12:49 PM

In the US the easy way to avoid an overfill is to have the tech put in exactly 3 quarts. Leaving the level halfway between ADD and FULL is good because it leaves a little room for water to accumulate between oil changes without causing problems. It will be a loooong time before any of these engines start burning oil, so there's no benefit in seeing how close you can get to FULL without going over.

rick57 · 03-16-2005, 12:57 PM

I know that putting it half way would be good,but my customers would then scream the oil was low! And I would hope that putting it in the middle doesn't mean you think the rest will be taken up by water? I would hope not

DaveinOlyWA · 03-16-2005, 01:03 PM

i have to think that close is good enough.

one thing that i guess im doing wrong is that i always check my oil when the engine is cold. when the engine is warmed up will the level go up or down from a cold reading?

rick57 · 03-16-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

i have to think that close is good enough.

one thing that i guess im doing wrong is that i always check my oil when the engine is cold. when the engine is warmed up will the level go up or down from a cold reading?

If you check it cold,do it before starting the engine. If checking after running,give it some time,at normal operating temp 5 minutes would be good,to give the oil to drain back into the pan. I don't believe the oil level would change if it was cold or hot. Should be the same.

03-16-2005, 09:47 AM	#1
Ricardo Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have too much oil in my new Prius I just picked up my new Prius several days ago and after reading several posts here about being careful to never overfill the Prius with oil, I checked the oil this morning (cold engine). It is measuring 1/8 inch above the full mark. I am taking it in to the dealer this morning, but I'd like to know if any damage has been done (driven 200 miles).

03-16-2005, 10:14 AM	#2
RBW111 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: El Dorado, AR Posts: 139 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: I have too much oil in my new Prius Check your manual. The engine should be at operating temp. when you check your oil. This makes a big difference

03-16-2005, 10:38 AM	#3
rick57 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Circleville, Ohio Posts: 565 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: I have too much oil in my new Prius And leave it set about 5 minutes before checking. At 1/8 over,nothing has happened to the engine. All is ok

03-16-2005, 12:34 PM	#6
rick57 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Circleville, Ohio Posts: 565 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: I have too much oil in my new Prius In my opinion,I think 1/4 would be that absolute highest,an 1/8 should be better.. I know that it is still overfilled in some peoples eyes,but a lot of time it is hard to get it precisely at the "full" mark. It should be as close to "full" as possible though. I know a lot of members want it no more then "full" and that is ok,everyone has there own opinions,but I wouldn't be to picky if it were mine. I know there are TSB's about the "No Start" , P3191 problems and to make sure the oil is the proper level and viscosity. But here at the shop,I have seen no Trouble Codes from oil overfull.But then most of our Prius' sold here always have their maintenance done here. I have tried to keep an eye on my oil changes lately. Our oil delivery system is metered out by the tenth and I have noticed they are over slightly. So I have begun to try and get them(parts dept) to meter out slightly less to try and see where "full" might be on an oil change. I know I will get a lot of flack back on this but as I said,everyone has their own opinion on this issue. __________________ Rick Angles Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician Toyota Hybrid Technician Germain Toyota Columbus, Ohio

03-16-2005, 12:57 PM	#8
rick57 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Circleville, Ohio Posts: 565 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	Re: I have too much oil in my new Prius I know that putting it half way would be good,but my customers would then scream the oil was low! And I would hope that putting it in the middle doesn't mean you think the rest will be taken up by water? I would hope not

03-16-2005, 11:05 AM	#4
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,382 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 122 Times in 104 Posts Friends: 10	ok rick, a question that i would really like to know is how far over is where concern should be? i realize that checking the level when the engine is warm may not be a possibility with the technician if the engine isnt warm when it gets there. so is ½" ok? ¼"?

03-16-2005, 11:27 AM	#5
paprius4030 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pocono's, Pa. Posts: 1,297 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 1	Also don't forget the car should be absolutly level.

03-16-2005, 12:49 PM	#7
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,515 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 100 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	In the US the easy way to avoid an overfill is to have the tech put in exactly 3 quarts. Leaving the level halfway between ADD and FULL is good because it leaves a little room for water to accumulate between oil changes without causing problems. It will be a loooong time before any of these engines start burning oil, so there's no benefit in seeing how close you can get to FULL without going over.

03-16-2005, 01:03 PM	#9
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,382 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 122 Times in 104 Posts Friends: 10	i have to think that close is good enough. one thing that i guess im doing wrong is that i always check my oil when the engine is cold. when the engine is warmed up will the level go up or down from a cold reading?