2010 Lower gas mileage after oil change

REDWIND88 · 10-06-2009, 11:31 PM

Had my first oil change at a Toyota dealership, they lowered the tire pressure back to 32 PSI and I brought it back up to 40 PSI. Mileage is now 4-6 mpg less on the first two tanks-getting 43 mpg!!! No difference in driving behavior, route or anything! I am planning to check oil level when the car is on a level surface-any ideas?

bps · 10-06-2009, 11:35 PM

Although they may never admit to it, you may want to see if they actually used 0W-20 oil. Check out your invoice and see what it says...

Bryan

derkraut · 10-06-2009, 11:41 PM

Definitely check the oil level ASAP. Even if it shows the proper level, I suggest you go back to the dealer, explain the situation, and make sure they check what viscosity oil was put into your car. If they inadvertently filled it with 20W50, your mileage would suffer (plus---it is not correct for your engine.

I hate to say this, but I don't trust ANYONE (including the dealer) regarding routine auto maintenance. I've been doing it myself for 40+yrs now, and figure I've saved about $25,000 and a lot of headaches. By the way, I'm just a "regular guy" as far as mechanical ability is concerned....but, I do know how to read and follow instructions. And, I've invested in around $500 in good quality tools.

a64pilot · 10-07-2009, 10:38 AM

This happened to me as well, but it was because they used the same bulk 5W-30 oil they use in all the other vehicles. They wouldn't admit it, but when I changed the oil with 0W-20 Mobil 1 oil, my mileage returned to normal.

Hfxbouy · 10-07-2009, 11:28 AM

If they did not put it on the invoice or a lazy tech just put in the regular without paying attention to what was on the request, how can you figure out if they screwed up? I am thinking mileage may work but my is not always the same bacause of very different trips. Is there an easy test from dip stick sample? Or some thing like that because as you say they will admit nothing!

REDWIND88 · 10-08-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bps

Although they may never admit to it, you may want to see if they actually used 0W-20 oil. Check out your invoice and see what it says...

Bryan

The invoice says 0W20 4.5 qts
FP #00289-1QT0W-01 TOY 0W20
$6.99 QT

Indyking · 10-08-2009, 12:15 PM

I'm gonna ask them if I can be present when they are replacing the oil, because I can't trust what is written in the invoice.

DetroitFlyer · 10-08-2009, 03:15 PM

Same here. Had the oil changed, mileage WAY down.... I specifically asked for the 0W-20, but I got it done right at the end of the day at the dealer.... I wonder if the tech used the wrong stuff.... Kind of frustrating to have to worry about the dang oil they put in the car.... I was probably one of if not the first Gen III to have the oil changed there....

Indyking · 10-08-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DetroitFlyer

Same here. Had the oil changed, mileage WAY down.... I specifically asked for the 0W-20, but I got it done right at the end of the day at the dealer.... I wonder if the tech used the wrong stuff.... Kind of frustrating to have to worry about the dang oil they put in the car.... I was probably one of if not the first Gen III to have the oil changed there....

You know, I was calling local dealers looking for the best price for the 5K oil change and one of the dealers didn't even know about the 0W20 oil... pretty scary

Smoke-N-Shot · 10-08-2009, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indyking

You know, I was calling local dealers looking for the best price for the 5K oil change and one of the dealers didn't even know about the 0W20 oil... pretty scary

With all the money that is spent on a 'Green' car, if the dealers didn't know about the correct viscosity to use then they are morons...

10-06-2009, 11:31 PM	#1
REDWIND88 Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SEATTLE WA. Posts: 39 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 0	2010 Lower gas mileage after oil change Had my first oil change at a Toyota dealership, they lowered the tire pressure back to 32 PSI and I brought it back up to 40 PSI. Mileage is now 4-6 mpg less on the first two tanks-getting 43 mpg!!! No difference in driving behavior, route or anything! I am planning to check oil level when the car is on a level surface-any ideas?

10-06-2009, 11:35 PM	#2
bps Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 220 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: No Package Thanks: 20 Thanked 30 Times in 19 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 2010 Lower gas mileage after oil change Although they may never admit to it, you may want to see if they actually used 0W-20 oil. Check out your invoice and see what it says... Bryan

10-06-2009, 11:41 PM	#3
derkraut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SAN Posts: 149 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: 2010 Lower gas mileage after oil change Definitely check the oil level ASAP. Even if it shows the proper level, I suggest you go back to the dealer, explain the situation, and make sure they check what viscosity oil was put into your car. If they inadvertently filled it with 20W50, your mileage would suffer (plus---it is not correct for your engine. I hate to say this, but I don't trust ANYONE (including the dealer) regarding routine auto maintenance. I've been doing it myself for 40+yrs now, and figure I've saved about $25,000 and a lot of headaches. By the way, I'm just a "regular guy" as far as mechanical ability is concerned....but, I do know how to read and follow instructions. And, I've invested in around $500 in good quality tools. __________________ derkraut

10-07-2009, 10:38 AM	#4
a64pilot Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany Ga. Posts: 732 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: N/A Thanks: 19 Thanked 45 Times in 40 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 2010 Lower gas mileage after oil change This happened to me as well, but it was because they used the same bulk 5W-30 oil they use in all the other vehicles. They wouldn't admit it, but when I changed the oil with 0W-20 Mobil 1 oil, my mileage returned to normal.

10-07-2009, 11:28 AM	#5
Hfxbouy Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: KC MO Posts: 18 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: Navigation Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 2010 Lower gas mileage after oil change If they did not put it on the invoice or a lazy tech just put in the regular without paying attention to what was on the request, how can you figure out if they screwed up? I am thinking mileage may work but my is not always the same bacause of very different trips. Is there an easy test from dip stick sample? Or some thing like that because as you say they will admit nothing!

10-08-2009, 12:15 PM	#7
Indyking Vem quente que estou fervendo! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 890 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: No Package Thanks: 92 Thanked 58 Times in 40 Posts Friends: 4	Re: 2010 Lower gas mileage after oil change I'm gonna ask them if I can be present when they are replacing the oil, because I can't trust what is written in the invoice.

10-08-2009, 03:15 PM	#8
DetroitFlyer Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 10 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 2010 Lower gas mileage after oil change Same here. Had the oil changed, mileage WAY down.... I specifically asked for the 0W-20, but I got it done right at the end of the day at the dealer.... I wonder if the tech used the wrong stuff.... Kind of frustrating to have to worry about the dang oil they put in the car.... I was probably one of if not the first Gen III to have the oil changed there....

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