Just hit 5k, first oil change due, anything special to know for doing it myself?

MickeyA · 06-25-2007, 12:14 AM

This is the easiest oil change I've ever done.
Wow, that spin on filter is small & easy to get on & off.

Points directly down & decent clearance around it.

Good job Toyota.

1 complaint it that the dipstick doesn't show oil so well.
So u need to be extra careful, checking oil.

JimboK · 06-25-2007, 07:51 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jun 22 2007, 11:06 AM) [snapback]466321[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I don't think you can get far enough under the Prius to reach the filter without ramps. [/b]

You can; I've done it. But you have to do it by feel, so no question that ramps (or a jack/jackstands) are an asset.

FloridaWen · 06-25-2007, 09:10 AM

Although many say ramps (or raising the front of the vehicle) are not needed when changing oil in the Prius, I am sort of a large guy and always liked to use my one-piece molded plastic ramps to lift the front end up so I can get under it

... are these okay, that is, will they fit okay under the front end (wheels/lower fender, etc.) of the '07 Prius??
[attachmentid=9198]
The reason I ask is because I once had a 1976 Triumph TR-7 (before the plastic ramps were invented) and tried those "metal" ramps that were popular back then.... scraped the Hell out of the bottom of the metal fenders

!!

gforeman · 06-25-2007, 09:18 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ Jun 25 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]467548[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Although many say ramps (or raising the front of the vehicle) are not needed when changing oil in the Prius, I am sort of a large guy and always liked to use my one-piece molded plastic ramps to lift the front end up so I can get under it

... are these okay, that is, will they fit okay under the front end (wheels/lower fender, etc.) of the '07 Prius??
[/b]

Same ramps I have, and are a perfect fit on the front too!

Swanny1172 · 06-25-2007, 09:31 AM

Yes, the plastic ramps work well. The front end on the Prius is so short that there is very little room between the front wheel wells and the actual front of the car. This eliminates the possibility of having any scratching issues with the bottoms of the fenders.

FloridaWen · 06-25-2007, 09:31 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(G-Man @ Jun 25 2007, 09:18 AM) [snapback]467551[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Same ramps I have, and are a perfect fit on the front too!
[/b]

Whew.... THANKS for the confirmation !!

I was sick-to-my stomach when I tried those "metal" ramps on my 1976 Triumph TR-7 and heard (and felt) s-c-r-a-p-e !!

morpheusx · 06-25-2007, 09:32 AM

I figure it this way the US manufacturers are now pushing 7500 miles for oil intervals and the oil companies are still pushing 3000 miles for oil intervals. My logical thinking is the oil companies want you to buy more oil and the car manufacturers want you to buy more cars by wearing out your car faster (good enough to get you past the warranty period but not last 150,000 - 250,000 miles.)

I have always just changed mine every 3 months anyway, I always have seemed to average about 1500 miles a month anyway.

FloridaWen · 06-25-2007, 09:33 AM

I was plannin' on waiting for around 3,500+ miles on our new Prius to change oil filter/drain plug gasket and switch to MOBIL1. Got all my "tools" ready (14mm 6-point socket, KD 65mm cap wrench, roll of paper towels, etc.) in addition to a genuine new Toyota oil filter & drain plug gasket. Currently we have only around 1,200 miles in five weeks of initial ownership, so I imagine the actually oil change procedure will take place for me sometime in August

!

FloridaWen · 06-25-2007, 09:50 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ Jun 25 2007, 09:31 AM) [snapback]467554[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Whew.... THANKS for the confirmation !!

I was sick-to-my stomach when I tried those "metal" ramps on my 1976 Triumph TR-7 and heard (and felt) s-c-r-a-p-e !!
[/b]

Luckily, it was just superficial paint scrape, hidden under the bottom out of sight.... thank God for spray touch-up paint.

MickeyA · 06-25-2007, 11:55 AM

Used a MityVac to pump my oil out & Rhino Ramps to pull off the filter.
30 minutes including prep & cleanup.

Changed out the factory oil @ 1100 miles.
Surprised it was so clean on the dipstick but black as night in the MityVac.
There was some metal flakes from the wear in.

My plan is:
Use the Castrol GTX until 5k. Then will switch out to whatever synth is on sale & go 7500 OCI then.

Will get a lifetime rotation plan from NTB for $50 so I can have the tires rotated @ the same interval.

btw:
The Napa wrench (thanks to FloridaWen in a previous thread) fitted perfectly.
This is my first spin on filter & I can't believe how easy it is.

Too bad it adds waste to the environment more so than the cartridge types.

06-25-2007, 09:10 AM	#23
FloridaWen Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Plant City, Florida Posts: 557 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Although many say ramps (or raising the front of the vehicle) are not needed when changing oil in the Prius, I am sort of a large guy and always liked to use my one-piece molded plastic ramps to lift the front end up so I can get under it ... are these okay, that is, will they fit okay under the front end (wheels/lower fender, etc.) of the '07 Prius?? [attachmentid=9198] The reason I ask is because I once had a 1976 Triumph TR-7 (before the plastic ramps were invented) and tried those "metal" ramps that were popular back then.... scraped the Hell out of the bottom of the metal fenders !! Attached Thumbnails __________________ current vehicles: 2007 Prius Touring w/package 5 - Silver Pine Mica w/gray interior 2004 Honda CR-V EX - Mojave Mist w/tan interior

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06-25-2007, 12:14 AM	#21
MickeyA Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 81 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	This is the easiest oil change I've ever done. Wow, that spin on filter is small & easy to get on & off. Points directly down & decent clearance around it. Good job Toyota. 1 complaint it that the dipstick doesn't show oil so well. So u need to be extra careful, checking oil.

06-25-2007, 09:31 AM	#25
Swanny1172 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 674 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Yes, the plastic ramps work well. The front end on the Prius is so short that there is very little room between the front wheel wells and the actual front of the car. This eliminates the possibility of having any scratching issues with the bottoms of the fenders.

06-25-2007, 09:32 AM	#27
morpheusx Professor Chaos Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 1,214 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	I figure it this way the US manufacturers are now pushing 7500 miles for oil intervals and the oil companies are still pushing 3000 miles for oil intervals. My logical thinking is the oil companies want you to buy more oil and the car manufacturers want you to buy more cars by wearing out your car faster (good enough to get you past the warranty period but not last 150,000 - 250,000 miles.) I have always just changed mine every 3 months anyway, I always have seemed to average about 1500 miles a month anyway.

06-25-2007, 09:33 AM	#28
FloridaWen Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Plant City, Florida Posts: 557 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I was plannin' on waiting for around 3,500+ miles on our new Prius to change oil filter/drain plug gasket and switch to MOBIL1. Got all my "tools" ready (14mm 6-point socket, KD 65mm cap wrench, roll of paper towels, etc.) in addition to a genuine new Toyota oil filter & drain plug gasket. Currently we have only around 1,200 miles in five weeks of initial ownership, so I imagine the actually oil change procedure will take place for me sometime in August !

06-25-2007, 11:55 AM	#30
MickeyA Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 81 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Used a MityVac to pump my oil out & Rhino Ramps to pull off the filter. 30 minutes including prep & cleanup. Changed out the factory oil @ 1100 miles. Surprised it was so clean on the dipstick but black as night in the MityVac. There was some metal flakes from the wear in. My plan is: Use the Castrol GTX until 5k. Then will switch out to whatever synth is on sale & go 7500 OCI then. Will get a lifetime rotation plan from NTB for $50 so I can have the tires rotated @ the same interval. btw: The Napa wrench (thanks to FloridaWen in a previous thread) fitted perfectly. This is my first spin on filter & I can't believe how easy it is. Too bad it adds waste to the environment more so than the cartridge types.