Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified!)

[hkazemi]

Good news for all of you who were hoping for a 10000 mile/1 year oil change interval on the 2010 Prius in the US! It's now official. Dealerships are informing customers coming in for oil changes.

Yesterday I spoke to someone in the service department at a Toyota dealership about oil types and oil changes. The person told me that they had just been informed that many 2010 Toyota vehicles that use 0W-20 oil can be serviced at a 10k mile/1 year interval, if used in "regular use". "Severe use" still calls for 5k/6 month intervals.

The notification, dated December 15, 2009, includes a 19 question FAQ.

The included vehicles are:
2010 Toyota Camry (4 cylinder)
2010 Toyota Prius
2010 Toyota Tundra (small V8)
2010 Toyota Sequoia (small V8)
2010 Toyota FJ Crusier
2010 Toyota 4Runner (6 cylinder)
2010 Scion xD

The notification defines "severe use" as:
-mainly being used on dirt/dusty roads
-consistently used to tow trailers or with car-top carriers or heavy load use
-primarily used for short trips below 32 F / 0 C
-extensive idling and low speed driving like police/taxi/door-to-door delivery

Severe use only applies when the majority of your driving falls into the listed special operating conditions. Occaisonal driving under those conditions is not severe use.

There will also be a coupon program available for customers who paid for an oil and filter change at 5000 miles. The coupon will give these customers a free oil change. Customers will be notified in early February 2010.

Images of the notification are attached.

An older (closed) thread on this topic can be found here:
Prius 2010 Oil Change Interval Revised? Not yet... (closed) - PriusChat Forums

And some of the early news/rumors about it are here:
Toyota Upping the Oil Change Interval to 10,000 Miles for 2010 Prius, other Toyota models | PriusChat

[DetPrius]

I hope this isn't a case of here we go again!

[usbseawolf2000]

So what will be the interval for the Severe use? 5,000 miles?

Edit: Just read the scans. The answer is yes.

Boo, they are not going to reprogram the 5,000 miles reminder.

[DetPrius]

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

So what will be the interval for the Severe use? 5,000 miles?

Yes, that is what the documents that the OP posted state.

[usbseawolf2000]

Note, this document is for Chicago region only.

[DeadPhish]

I just checked here. Yes this is semi-official now as far as Central Atlantic Toyota is concerned. By semi-official I mean that written notifications from the regional headquarters to the local dealers have not been sent .. yet .. but the official word has been passed down that it's in the works..soon.

Verbal confirmations were given last week.

[thbjr]

Just because inquiring minds want to know, what is question #10?
OK, I see. My stupid computer just didnt print it. Bad computer....

[going red baby!]

Hm... well then I need a refund on a maintenance contract if this takes effect in CA.

I generally drive 7600 mi/yr based on the last 14 years.

[hotbrass]

Interesting. I guess they had to do it since there would be a 10k OCI on the 2011 vehicles.

But I would like to see TMC notify all the owners too.

[thbjr]

Originally Posted by hotbrass

Interesting. I guess they had to do it since there would be a 10k OCI on the 2011 vehicles.

But I would like to see TMC notify all the owners too.

According to the next to last paragraph on page 1, that will start happening in early Feb., 2010 with a revised maintenance and warranty manual.