Just find out my oil is over filled!!

[ScottY]

After lunch at my company, I decided to go to my car and check the engine oil level. It turns out it's over filled a little bit over the full mark!! :cussing:

But then, I've been getting great milage. Last tank I got 61mpg, you can see that in the "I Beat EPA" thread. I got around 57mpg for the two tanks before that. This tank I am averaging 56mpg, drove about 300 miles.

Eventho my oil is overfilled, but my MPG is not that bad. I'll see if this will change after the 5k service I'm going to have this weekend. I will switch to synthetic (Mobil 1) and will only give them 3 quarts.

Scott

[Charles Suitt]

Hi ScottY...

I think you are "right on" in providing 3 qts. At the 10,000 mile change, I had my independent shop fill with 3½ qts and found that was very slightly over the full mark... next time I will go for 3 qts. I, too, use Mobil-1 5W30.

[onerpm]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt\";p=\"108569)</div>

 Hi ScottY...

I think you are \"right on\" in providing 3 qts.  At the 10,000 mile change, I had my independent shop fill with 3½ qts and found that was very slightly over the full mark... next time I will go for 3 qts.  I, too, use Mobil-1 5W30.
[/b]

I put in Mobil 1 at 5000 miles myself, and 3 qts. put it exactly halfway between the marks on the dipstick. I decided a week or so later to top it off, and 1/2 qt. more put it right on the full mark. That's consistent with other posters' findings... however, we DIY'ers probably let it sit and drain longer than do the shops.

rob

[kirbinster]

Rob you hit the target dead on, that is why most shops overfill - they generally fail to allow enough time for all the old oil to drain out.

[SDiego]

I am debating on going with Mobil-1 when my car hits the 5,000 mile mark, or wait till 10,000 miles. I am also debating to let the dealer do it the first time around, or should I just do it? Maybe they check other things I don't know about?

[TNPrius1]

I have been following the MANY threads on overfilling the oil and frankly have found that there are as many opinions out there as there are individuals posting, which I think is great.

The only thing that I am convinced of is that I have to trust that the Toyota engineers designed the car with the low and high marks on the dipstick in very specific locations for very specific reasons. I'm not sure that it would hurt anything if it were very slightly overfull, but I'm convinced that it would not prove beneficial.

I don't yet own my Prius, it is currently on order (I feel like an eight year old ten weeks before Christmas)! I think that SDiego hit on some of the specific oil-related topics that I have been pondering the last few days. When should I switch from conventional to synthetic (Mobil 1) oil? Is 5,000 miles too soon- is 10k too long to wait? Does anyone know if Toyota or Mobil has a reccomendation regarding this issue?

Secondly, he mentions that the Toyota dealer's shop might check some things out that he doesn't know about. What are the thoughts of those of you who have owned and worked on your vehicles for a while? I plan on doing as much of the work as I can on my own vehicle. I am resigned to the obvious fact that I won't be able to do everything, the technology simply surpasses my abilities and equipment. I am a competent weekend home mechanic, however. How much can I do on my own and what should I only trust to the trained service personnel at my dealer?

Thanks.

[NuShrike]

The Toyota techs have docs that says to fill to 3.9qts. They literally threw this at me last time I asked for 3.5qts at Rancho Santa Margarita. This includes filling up the filter can.

3.9 qts happens to fill to the top dot, so 3.5 qts should be in the middle.

[DanP]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TNPrius1\";p=\"108941)</div>

When should I switch from conventional to synthetic (Mobil 1) oil?  Is 5,000 miles too soon- is 10k too long to wait?  Does anyone know if Toyota or Mobil has a reccomendation regarding this issue? [/b]

Sadly, this is yet another area in which the number of opinions is almost as great as the number of "advisors." Mobil's official word on this is that it doesn't matter: you can switch and switch back any time you want without any ill-effects (aside from the "ill effects" of _not_ using their Mobil 1 product, of course). Some (mostly mechanics over 50 years old) are convinced you have to let the engine parts "wear in" before slipping them the very slippery Mobil 1. Several car manufacturers (Porsche and Mercedes among them, I seem to recall) ship their cars with Mobil 1, so their engineers don't seem overly worried about "wearing in" the engine parts.

And then there is the school of thought (to which I belong) which says since Mobil 1 is designed to protect engines under very high stress conditions and since the Prius's engine will never see such conditions, it's rather silly to waste money on Mobil 1. Having said that, however, I should disclose that my irrational side won out on this issue, and I just couldn't resist giving my baby Mobil 1--it's a bit like buying your kid expensive shoes before they can walk.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TNPrius1\";p=\"108941)</div>

Secondly, he mentions that the Toyota dealer's shop might check some things out that he doesn't know about.  What are the thoughts of those of you who have owned and worked on your vehicles for a while?  I plan on doing as much of the work as I can on my own vehicle.  I am resigned to the obvious fact that I won't be able to do everything, the technology simply surpasses my abilities and equipment.  I am a competent weekend home mechanic, however.  How much can I do on my own and what should I only trust to the trained service personnel at my dealer?  
 
Thanks.[/b]

I, on the other hand, am an incompetent weekend non-mechanic. I do, however, manage to change the oil and rotate the tires without breaking anything.

[popoff]

When I took my Prius for the first oil change, the service ticket clearly stated 3.9 qts. of oil having been used and the oil level was right on the top mark. I had the dealer write "do not overfill crankcase" on the order so I would have been justified to make them drain some if need be.

I'm old fashioned when it comes to oil. I think synthetic is not required unless there are special circumstances such as very cold or very hot weather. You are going to have to change it at 5,000 miles intervals regardless of what type/brand oil you use. IMHO, the Prius engine is in a very moderate service category and doesn't even have 5,000 miles on it when you take it in for the 5k oil change.

Most of the routine maintenance is straightforward. Oil, filters, waxing, rotating tires, etc. I think common sense would tell you pretty quickly what would be beyond your capabilities. Take a look at the maintenance book when you get the car and you will see that it pretty much reads like any other vehicle's maintenance requirement. Toyota dealers usually offer a 19 point safety inspection with the warranty service. Again, nothing special. I really wonder if all of them really do it.

Good luck with your new car!

[DanMan32]

You could quickly check your CV joint boots, check for wheel play, check your other fluid levels, etc.
Just to note, when it comes to the ATF, it has no dipstick. It gets checked similar to a manual transmission; you check through the fill hole that has a plug bolt in it.