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

mooney · 06-22-2007, 09:51 AM

I've changed the oil on all my cars, so this should be no big deal. My only thought is should I switch to synthetic now or stay on dino until the end of the warranty?

Betelgeuse · 06-22-2007, 10:11 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mooney @ Jun 22 2007, 08:51 AM) [snapback]466287[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I've changed the oil on all my cars, so this should be no big deal. My only thought is should I switch to synthetic now or stay on dino until the end of the warranty?
[/b]

No reason not to switch to synthetic now. In Europe, they're on synthetic from Day 1, I believe. Lots of people say that the oil change in the Prius is even easier than it is in other cars. If it weren't for the fact that I had no place to do the change, I would have started doing it myself long ago.

Check out John's page for some great step-by-step directions: http://john1701a.com/

morpheusx · 06-22-2007, 10:51 AM

The only thing to be watchful for is to make sure you don't lose the washer on the bolt, or to buy some spares. Other than that it is a very easy oil change.

mooney · 06-22-2007, 10:54 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Betelgeuse @ Jun 22 2007, 10:11 AM) [snapback]466293[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

No reason not to switch to synthetic now. In Europe, they're on synthetic from Day 1, I believe. Lots of people say that the oil change in the Prius is even easier than it is in other cars. If it weren't for the fact that I had no place to do the change, I would have started doing it myself long ago.

Check out John's page for some great step-by-step directions: http://john1701a.com/
[/b]

PERFECT! Thanks!

David Beale · 06-22-2007, 11:06 AM

Synthetic will not affect your warranty. Everyone says to keep the receipts for the oil you buy (and the filter), but I'm not sure that's necessary. If Toyota wanted to deny warranty coverage they would have to prove any problem was caused by the oil.

As for doing it yourself, I've done oil changes in parking lots. It's not a problem. All you need is a drain pan, funnel, and possibly ramps. I don't think you can get far enough under the Prius to reach the filter without ramps. I use my own "home made" ramps. Two 2X10 by 3' boards and two 4X4 by 10" boards for the "up" end of the ramp (call them props). You can get fancy and make a lock-in system for the board to the prop, maybe a peg or something, but that's about it. You might want to also make two wheel chocks, just to be real safe. I put small strips on the end of my boards so I know when I'm there (don't drive off the end), and I also put them on the props to "cant" them so they don't tip up the ramp board when the vehicle wheel is at the top. I'm pretty sure these ramps are stronger and more secure than the metal ones you can buy. I put the used oil back into the original bottles once the change is finished, and take them to the recycling center. Ditto for the filter. All clean and neat. Just have a few large rags laying under the car in case you get careless/sloppy.

Of course if you are in a complex and they have rules against this sort of thing then you're out of luck, unless you can find somewhere else to do the change.

kcrocker · 06-22-2007, 12:55 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jun 22 2007, 08:06 AM) [snapback]466321[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Everyone says to keep the receipts for the oil you buy (and the filter), but I'm not sure that's necessary. If Toyota wanted to deny warranty coverage they would have to prove any problem was caused by the oil.

[/b]

KEEP YOUR RECEIPTS!

i had a warranty claim on major engine work on a toyota, and the dealer's first action was to blame lack of oil changes since THEY had no record. i had receipts, but i was buying cases of oil at costco and filters in bulk when they were on sale...the service manager wanted to see receipts for oil purchased for the individual changes. seriously, i had them check on what i thought was a valve issue, and when i went to pick up the car, the service manager had a piece of paper for me to sign voiding my warranty b/c of lack of maintenance...they never asked first if i had maintained, elsewhere, etc. i had to really push, escalate, threaten lemon law, etc to keep my warranty. i ended up getting some work done on my own to fix the problem for a few hundred bucks and avoid the dealer claiming i needed a new engine. funny thing is that when the vehicle went in for next sched maintenance, it got a clean bill of health.

net net, i recommend you keep a log book, attach receipts in the book for each maintenance, and be prepared to escalate if they push back on warranty work. as much as i can easily change my own oil, i've taken our other new vechicles to local garage or oil change joint so i can produce documentation other than me if needed.

toyota's are awesome vehicles, but my experience has been that at least one of their dealers/service shops is less than honest.

as always ymmv, but watch out for the shop trying to get out of expensive work,

eberrong · 06-22-2007, 01:10 PM

Haven't hit my first oil change yet. While reading the owner's manual there were some statements that gave me the impression that the manufacturer's warranty would be voided by doing your own maintenance. Do I have this correct?

Ichabod · 06-22-2007, 01:48 PM

No, that is not correct. You will void your warranty by not doing any maintenance, but if you do it yourself, the only thing that happens is you save money and you put in the right amount of oil instead of over-filling. As stated in this thread, keep your receipts and everything is cool.

onerpm · 06-22-2007, 01:51 PM

my .02:
1. go to synthetic now, if that's where you want to end up anyway. I used mobil 1 in my 2004 and 2005, but gave it up for my 2006, because the dealer gave me the first 2 changes free, I didn't see any MPG increase from syn, and I realized I don't keep cars very long any more! If you live in a cold climate, it's probably worth it for those winter startups though.
2. you will probably find the oil filter to be on very tight coming from the factory. it is located toward the front of the car, about in the center, down low. you do not need ramps of any kind to change oil in the prius.
I do recommend that you buy a cap-end oil filter wrench first.
3. the drain plug is accessed from the passenger side. not real easy to get to, but doable. I recommend you replace your drain plug with a fram suredrain (not sure if they make those any more) or a fumoto valve when you change it; it'll make subsequent changes a breeze.

oh, and

4. cut off the bottom few inches from a 1L plastic soda bottle and use that to unscrew the oil filter the last bit, so it drops into the bottle.

alanh · 06-22-2007, 02:26 PM

Do any of the chain parts places (AutoZone, Checker, NAPA, etc.) carry the plug crush washer?

06-22-2007, 11:06 AM	#5
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,350 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Synthetic will not affect your warranty. Everyone says to keep the receipts for the oil you buy (and the filter), but I'm not sure that's necessary. If Toyota wanted to deny warranty coverage they would have to prove any problem was caused by the oil. As for doing it yourself, I've done oil changes in parking lots. It's not a problem. All you need is a drain pan, funnel, and possibly ramps. I don't think you can get far enough under the Prius to reach the filter without ramps. I use my own "home made" ramps. Two 2X10 by 3' boards and two 4X4 by 10" boards for the "up" end of the ramp (call them props). You can get fancy and make a lock-in system for the board to the prop, maybe a peg or something, but that's about it. You might want to also make two wheel chocks, just to be real safe. I put small strips on the end of my boards so I know when I'm there (don't drive off the end), and I also put them on the props to "cant" them so they don't tip up the ramp board when the vehicle wheel is at the top. I'm pretty sure these ramps are stronger and more secure than the metal ones you can buy. I put the used oil back into the original bottles once the change is finished, and take them to the recycling center. Ditto for the filter. All clean and neat. Just have a few large rags laying under the car in case you get careless/sloppy. Of course if you are in a complex and they have rules against this sort of thing then you're out of luck, unless you can find somewhere else to do the change. __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius.

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06-22-2007, 09:51 AM	#1
mooney Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 52 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've changed the oil on all my cars, so this should be no big deal. My only thought is should I switch to synthetic now or stay on dino until the end of the warranty?

06-22-2007, 10:51 AM	#3
morpheusx Professor Chaos Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 1,107 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	The only thing to be watchful for is to make sure you don't lose the washer on the bolt, or to buy some spares. Other than that it is a very easy oil change.

06-22-2007, 01:10 PM	#7
eberrong Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 30 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Haven't hit my first oil change yet. While reading the owner's manual there were some statements that gave me the impression that the manufacturer's warranty would be voided by doing your own maintenance. Do I have this correct?

06-22-2007, 01:48 PM	#8
Ichabod Artist In Residence Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 1,624 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	No, that is not correct. You will void your warranty by not doing any maintenance, but if you do it yourself, the only thing that happens is you save money and you put in the right amount of oil instead of over-filling. As stated in this thread, keep your receipts and everything is cool.

06-22-2007, 01:51 PM	#9
onerpm Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: MN Posts: 474 My Car: Other Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	my .02: 1. go to synthetic now, if that's where you want to end up anyway. I used mobil 1 in my 2004 and 2005, but gave it up for my 2006, because the dealer gave me the first 2 changes free, I didn't see any MPG increase from syn, and I realized I don't keep cars very long any more! If you live in a cold climate, it's probably worth it for those winter startups though. 2. you will probably find the oil filter to be on very tight coming from the factory. it is located toward the front of the car, about in the center, down low. you do not need ramps of any kind to change oil in the prius. I do recommend that you buy a cap-end oil filter wrench first. 3. the drain plug is accessed from the passenger side. not real easy to get to, but doable. I recommend you replace your drain plug with a fram suredrain (not sure if they make those any more) or a fumoto valve when you change it; it'll make subsequent changes a breeze. oh, and 4. cut off the bottom few inches from a 1L plastic soda bottle and use that to unscrew the oil filter the last bit, so it drops into the bottle.

06-22-2007, 02:26 PM	#10
alanh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 415 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Do any of the chain parts places (AutoZone, Checker, NAPA, etc.) carry the plug crush washer?