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First oil change at 10k or 5k?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mediahound, Jan 15, 2014.

  1. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    The question is, will changing it more often then recommended help anything? I would think you would get diminishing returns doing that. Will your engine really last that much longer if you change your oil more frequently than the manufacturer recommended interval?
     
  2. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    There are no guarantees. But everything being equal, the engine will less likely "burn" oil when it reaches high mileage.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Regardless of the odds of engine failure, I find an extra DIY oil change at 5000 mile or 6 months a trivial expense, and something I actually enjoy doing.

    Addendum:

    I'm forgetting which side of the 49th parallel I'm on: 6 months or 5000 miles (8000 km) is the spec'd service interval in Canada.
     
    #123 Mendel Leisk, Aug 29, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2014
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  4. Spindifferent

    Spindifferent Member

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    Religion, politics, and now oil. :) To each, their own...
     
  5. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Active Member

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    This is all confusing. Im not sure if i should wait or change mine at 5k miles. Has anyone sent oil off that came from their first 10k oil change to see if it is that bad or if it is ok to go that long on the first change?
     
  6. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    I wouldn't trust it. The don't like the idea of that metal assembly "flash" staying in there for that long. There are many sharp "corners" and pieces that come off metal parts as they wear in and enter the flow of the oil "stream."

    While the filter takes out many of them, the small particles still float around and abrade the rest of the engine parts.

    Toyota guarantees the engine for three years or 36 months, whichever comes first. Very few and almost no engines "burn" oil within that period. If so, they still says it is normal.

    If it is normal to leak a quart ever 1,000 miles, you're down to 1.4 quarts at 3,000 miles. If you don't change oil until 10K miles, you must check the every other fill up at the gas station; more often with a PIP.

    If you lease, I wouldn't worry about it. If you want to keep the car 10 years or more, I do my own oil change early.
     
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  7. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Active Member

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    I normally change oil myself, but with this being a new car and I dont know yet if I will keep it for 100k miles or 300k miles I plan to have all my services done at the dealer so that there is a quality record of the services. By paying toyota to do my oil change at 5k will they not want to provide me with my 10k service until 15k? I think I will get the oil changed 5k then 10k, and then every 7500 to 10k miles after that.
     
  8. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    The $30 or so that I spent to do my first oil change is a "no brainer," whether or not I will keep the car for a long time.

    It's worth the peace of mind. For the first 10k, I consistently monitor oil levels judiciously.

    If the engine fails due to low oil levels within the warranty period, it would likely void the warranty and be deemed as owner negligence.
     
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  9. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Active Member

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    Yeah I have checked the oil 3 times and I just got over 3k miles but I will be at 5k miles within 2 weeks so I am trying to get this figured out before then.
     
  10. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    The fact that you are discussing it at length means that you are tempted to change the oil.

    For peace of mind, Just do it. I can only help. It can certainly do no harm, if you do it right.
     
  11. Dave14Prius

    Dave14Prius Member

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    On my 2012 Camry Hybrid the dealer changed the oil at 5k for no charge at my request. I had them do it again at 15k.
    I will follow the same schedule on my 14 Prius hatchback.
    Peace of mind and cheap insurance.
    YMMV
     
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  12. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Professional mechanics and engineers would likely agree with you that yours is the best and most reasonable course of action.
     
  13. kenichols29

    kenichols29 Active Member

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    So many dealers will change it early at our request?
     
  14. Dave14Prius

    Dave14Prius Member

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    I would think so. You get two free. They don't care when.
     
  15. priusdonkey

    priusdonkey Member

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    A. correct. The dealers don't care, you just have to tell them you are paying out of pocket or get the freebie change.
    B. I run 0w/20 mobil 1 full synthetic for Toyota and Hondas. the 5 quart jug can be had for $22 at WallyWorld. Autozone had stopped matching prices with WallyMart, but Pep Boys still will.
    C. My oil change intervals were at 5k-7.5k mile intervals. I split the difference between waisting oil and extended range. My intervals were the following: 5,000 miles, 12,500 miles (Free dealer oil), 18,000 miles and next one is at 24,500 ( free dealer oil) then at 30,000 miles and at 10,000 miles using Mobil 1 full Syn. From my recollection the dealer charges $18 for service, when i bring in the oil and filter. Costco does the free tire rotation. I drive them crazy. lol

    I drive the Prius like a frugal miser, so needless to say i consistently get 55mpg at highway speeds and the like. Furthermore, i am not pushing the engine so the oil doesn't need to perform the way it does in my work truck hauling a trailer, or a bed of rock/gravel, load of sheetrock, etc. Thus less breakdown and full premium synthetic oil easily goes 10,000 miles between changes. You can do an oil analysis if that helps quell any suspicions.