It took almost 4 months, but today Toyota made it official in the PriusChat forums that the oil change interval on the 2010 Prius has been upped to 10,000 miles instead of the previous 5,000 mile OCI. The information that you may have read about on PriusChat back in September was all correct: the 2010 4 cylinder Camry, the 4.6L Tundra and Sequoia, the FJ Cruiser, 4Runner, and Scion XD are all also included in this oil change interval update.
According to PriusChat forum member hkazemi (and verified by Toyota), 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.
You can view the Toyota documents in the following PriusChat thread: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year
