Change your oil after you have driven your first 1000 miles.

Arizona Charlie · 01-23-2005, 12:06 AM

Regardless of what Toyota recommends, I suggest that the engine oil and filter be changed when your odometer reaches 1000 miles.

Minute metal particless which were left in the engine block when it was machined may have remained in the block and ould become lodged in a bearing surface or piston chamber.

Sure, it may not do any damage but then again, 3.9 quarts of oil and a new filter are relatively cheap insurance against possible damage.

Further, I do recommend that you change from disasour soup to synthetic oil. (5w 30). By doing so you can increase the mileage you drive between oil changes by as much as 3000 miles and also increase the life of the motor.

Arizona Charlie

outoftown · 01-23-2005, 12:34 AM

I've heard the same thing way before Hybrids existed as advice for any new car. After 500 miles or so of the "break in" period, change the oil to get rid of any metal machining contamination. However, does anyone think the specially formulated oils for Hybrids, 0W-30 would be a better option than 5W-30? Mobil 1 has the 0W-30, available at AutoZone, and Pennzoil will be offering it soon.

ammiels · 01-23-2005, 01:54 AM

I did, perhaps from old habit. I stuck a rare earth magnet on the bottom of the filter to help with the iron shavings.

daniel · 01-23-2005, 07:42 AM

Back in the old days, the maintenance schedule required changing the "break-in oil" after a short period, after which the regular oil-change intervals began.

For what it's worth, my dealer told me the Prius engine is broken in before it's put into the car. (I don't know if that's supposed to refer to all new cars, all Toyotas, or just the Prius.)

In any case, I trust Toyota's recommendations, which explicitly state that it's not necessary to change the oil before 5,000 miles. As for synthetic, if you do extend the oil-change interval by 3,000 miles you will probabably void your engine warranty. (Though from what I've read, it probably would not hurt the engine.)

scalz · 01-23-2005, 08:32 AM

At their suggestion, I brought our Sienna in to our Toyota dealer for a free oil change at 1000 miles. Looks like they go along with these thoughts.

Tempus · 01-23-2005, 10:38 AM

My dealer gave me a free 1,000 mile oil change too. I don't see any reason not to under those circumstances

KTPhil · 01-23-2005, 03:13 PM

The drain plug on my old Bugs had a magnet in it, and it usually had a mix of lead (from blowby) and filings on it. It worked because it was right in the path of the oil pickup tube, and also the low point of the sump.

But a magnet on the outside of the filter? What if the magnet gets knocked off while you are driving? A clump of filings dumps into your nice clean motor.

priusham · 01-23-2005, 07:14 PM

You know fellas, don't take this the wrong way... but you guys are perpetuating old wives tales at best (cars have not "needed" a break-in oil change in 20 years or more) and wasting oil at worse.

The Prius gas engine doesn't run constantly and Toyota says 7,000 miles between changes. You blow up the engine under warranty and they don't care if you changed the oil every week or every 7,000 miles. They cover it.

I used to think just like you guys though. It's hard to break that indoctrination. I'm switching to synthetic at the first oil change (currently at 2,300 miles on my '05) and going 7,000 before the next one.

jeepien · 01-23-2005, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Toyota says 7,000 miles between changes.

My owner's manual says 5,000, not 7,000.

KTPhil · 01-23-2005, 07:49 PM

I plan on driving my Prius LONG after the warrantee has expired!

01-23-2005, 12:06 AM	#1
Arizona Charlie Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: San Francisco Posts: 55 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Change your oil after you have driven your first 1000 miles. Regardless of what Toyota recommends, I suggest that the engine oil and filter be changed when your odometer reaches 1000 miles. Minute metal particless which were left in the engine block when it was machined may have remained in the block and ould become lodged in a bearing surface or piston chamber. Sure, it may not do any damage but then again, 3.9 quarts of oil and a new filter are relatively cheap insurance against possible damage. Further, I do recommend that you change from disasour soup to synthetic oil. (5w 30). By doing so you can increase the mileage you drive between oil changes by as much as 3000 miles and also increase the life of the motor. Arizona Charlie

01-23-2005, 12:34 AM	#2
outoftown Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 66 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Change your oil after you have driven your first 1000 mi I've heard the same thing way before Hybrids existed as advice for any new car. After 500 miles or so of the "break in" period, change the oil to get rid of any metal machining contamination. However, does anyone think the specially formulated oils for Hybrids, 0W-30 would be a better option than 5W-30? Mobil 1 has the 0W-30, available at AutoZone, and Pennzoil will be offering it soon.

01-23-2005, 07:42 AM	#4
daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 11,278 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 59 Thanked 201 Times in 127 Posts Friends: 0	Back in the old days, the maintenance schedule required changing the "break-in oil" after a short period, after which the regular oil-change intervals began. For what it's worth, my dealer told me the Prius engine is broken in before it's put into the car. (I don't know if that's supposed to refer to all new cars, all Toyotas, or just the Prius.) In any case, I trust Toyota's recommendations, which explicitly state that it's not necessary to change the oil before 5,000 miles. As for synthetic, if you do extend the oil-change interval by 3,000 miles you will probabably void your engine warranty. (Though from what I've read, it probably would not hurt the engine.) __________________ Daniel Primary car: 100% Electric 2003 Porsche 911 Carrera. Estimated range at 55 mph: 81 miles total or 64 miles to 80% discharge. Top speed 70 mph. Secondary car: Zap Xebra SD, also 100% electric. 1.9 cents per mile. Range: 40 miles total, or 32 miles to 80% discharge. Top speed 35 mph. Faster downhill. Both EVs use electrons generated from water power. Gas guzzler for when I have to travel farther than 60 miles: 2004 Prius. "If voting changed anything, they'd make it illegal." -- Emma Goldman "Anyone who has ever looked into the glazed eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think long and hard before starting a war." -- Otto von Bismarck

01-23-2005, 08:32 AM	#5
scalz Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 10 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Change your oil after you have driven your first 1000 mi At their suggestion, I brought our Sienna in to our Toyota dealer for a free oil change at 1000 miles. Looks like they go along with these thoughts.

01-23-2005, 03:13 PM	#7
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,313 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Change your oil after you have driven your first 1000 mi The drain plug on my old Bugs had a magnet in it, and it usually had a mix of lead (from blowby) and filings on it. It worked because it was right in the path of the oil pickup tube, and also the low point of the sump. But a magnet on the outside of the filter? What if the magnet gets knocked off while you are driving? A clump of filings dumps into your nice clean motor.

01-23-2005, 01:54 AM	#3
ammiels Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: brewster, ny Posts: 121 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I did, perhaps from old habit. I stuck a rare earth magnet on the bottom of the filter to help with the iron shavings.

01-23-2005, 10:38 AM	#6
Tempus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,693 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	My dealer gave me a free 1,000 mile oil change too. I don't see any reason not to under those circumstances

01-23-2005, 07:14 PM	#8
priusham Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan - land of everlasting snowflake icon! Posts: 525 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Change your oil after you have driven your first 1000 mi You know fellas, don't take this the wrong way... but you guys are perpetuating old wives tales at best (cars have not "needed" a break-in oil change in 20 years or more) and wasting oil at worse. The Prius gas engine doesn't run constantly and Toyota says 7,000 miles between changes. You blow up the engine under warranty and they don't care if you changed the oil every week or every 7,000 miles. They cover it. I used to think just like you guys though. It's hard to break that indoctrination. I'm switching to synthetic at the first oil change (currently at 2,300 miles on my '05) and going 7,000 before the next one.

01-23-2005, 07:49 PM	#10
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,313 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Change your oil after you have driven your first 1000 mi I plan on driving my Prius LONG after the warrantee has expired!

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