First oil change

[Jared]

When should I do the first oil change? The sales person suggested doing it at 1,500 miles due to the "break in" period. Is this necessary or should I wait until I reach 5K?

[jayman]

Well, this has been endlessly debated here. The consensus: there is no consensus.

One may argue that modern materials, and automated engine manufacturing technology, along with much tighter tolerances, makes "break in" an obsolete term.

One may also bring up the difference in quality of motor oils now vs +20 years ago. Again the difference in motor oils here in North America (API "Starburst" certified oils) vs motor oils in Europe (ACEA A5/B4-02 for example).

From Europe, we have had some reports from Prius owners there. In Germany and the UK, the oil change interval is 12 months or 16,000 km / 10,000 mi. Period. In Finland, the dealer apparently wants the first oil change at around 3,500 km.

The clincher was that my local Toyota dealer showed me a service bulletin from Toyota Canada. All new Toyota cars/trucks must run the factory fill oil for 5,000km minimum, preferably to the normal 8,000km change interval, before first oil change.

Also, no synthetic oils allowed before 10,000km.

They stated this was necessary to ensure proper break-in, low oil consumption, and maximum fuel economy.

I went by their suggestions and so far they have been proven right.

If you still have questions/concerns, call the toll free number and mention that your local dealer wants to change the oil at 1,500 mi. See what they have to say about that.

[jeromep]

Before I joined this thread I asked myself the question, do I want to end up in this debate. I'm not much for getting beat up because some of my lubrication ideas are different from others. I guess I'm glutton for punishment.

I did my first oil change at 2500mi. I brought my own oil and filter into the dealer. When I scheduled my appointment they were hesitant to use my materials, but when I got there with them they seemed pleasantly surprised and not the least bit hesitant about using what I brought. So, what did I bring, Mobil1 5w30 and a Purolator PureOne filter. I actually got a complement for not "purchasing cheep maintenance supplies" like other Toyota owners who want the dealership to do the same thing.

I paid only for their labor, about 9.95 before tax and I had the comfortable feeling that I had synthetic put in.

Break in on an engine is kind of a fallacy. All new engines are built with sophisticated automation and are "broken in" long before they are installed in the cars. All manufacturers bench run new engines before they are wrapped up and sent on to an intermediary manufacturing process or the final assembly stage. That bench run uses oil which is not forwarded on to us the final purchaser, but that oil would be the oil which would trap all the manufacturing contaminants that we don't want running around in our engines.

I think it is easily safe to say that if you do your first oil change at 5000 mi, that will be just fine and well within Toyota's specs. But I would not be afraid to put in synthetic at that point either.

[Jared]

Thanks for the advice. I think i will wait for 5k. My first oil change will be free with a dealer coupon. After that I will not necessarily go to the dealer for service.

[Sean & Ian]

The Toyota dealer where I purchased my Prius from said that the first oil change should be done at 1,500 miles. He (sales person) said that they would use heavier (???) oil for the first oil change. I called another Toyota service dept nearby, and they said the first oil change should be at 5K miles. I think I'll also wait until 5K miles :wink:

[jeromep]

When salespeople talk about oil changes and when you should show up again; just smile and nod and drive off and ignore what they said. If they tell you to show up in 5,000 when the car asks you to, that is fine, they have read the book and aren't patsys for the lube monkeys in the service department. If they talk about 1,500 mile returns and heavier oil on the return service they are either smoking something or trying to smoke you, and of course generating revenue for their service arm. Ignore it and know that you are talking to somebody who doesn't know better.

[jayman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sean & Ian\";p=\"97357)</div>

He (sales person) said that they would use heavier (???) oil for the first oil change. I called another Toyota service dept nearby, and they said the first oil change should be at 5K miles. [/b]

Like most sales creatures, they have refined the art of "puffery" to a new level.

My local Toyota dealer claims that Toyota Canada is telling its dealers in no uncertain terms to *not* have an earlier initial service. To go to the normal 8,000km / 5,000mi service. They also strongly recommend waiting until 10,000km / 6,000 mi before switching to a synthetic.

I especially like the "heavier" comment. Heavier compared to what?

A 0W-30, 5W-30, 10W-30, and SAE 30 are all the same approximate viscosity at the oil tested operating temperature of 100 C. Maybe the salescreature meant a 10W-40, 15W-40, or SAE 40? Maybe a 15W-50, 20W-50, or SAE 50? How about a GL-5 90 gear oil??

I used to believe that "thicker is better" and especially for an old-fashioned motor built the "old fashioned" way and/or with loose tolerances, that may still be true. Otherwise you don't gain anything.

When Ford and Honda began to require a 5W-20 or 0W-20 in almost all of their applications, even Ford 6.8 litre V10's in motorhomes, there was speculation of blown motors and short motor life.

Here we are almost 10 years later and those motors appear to be living a very long time while getting somewhat better fuel economy.

If you have any questions about servicing, the Service Guide is a good place to start. If the local dealer for some reason is insisting on an early initial service or a viscosity not listed, call the toll free number and mention this to Toyota.

[Frank Hudon]

I wonder how many of those who show for a 1500 mile service/oil change and the lube monkey just checks it and say's yup it's clean and full and as such put's it back out in the lineup, are just charged for an oil change and don't get one. Nice way for an unscrupolous dealer to make money.

[jayman]

Frank:

I bet that happens more often than folks realize. Unless you watched over the shoulder of the Oil Monkey, how could you be certain.

Maybe that's why they have the sign "No customers beyond this point - authorized personnel only."

[Jared]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to stick to the service manual which says you should change the oil every 5,000 miles. A nice round figure, easy to remember.