Advice...oil plug and jumper cables...

Just did my 5,000 mile service (rotate tires and change oil).

I bought a magnetic oil plug off of Amazon.

LINK

However, when I went to install it, a key thing stuck out at me. The OEM plug has its threads going all the way to the head of the bolt. This one had a gap between the threads and the head although there was a washer referred to as a Dowty oil seal.

Otherwise, it matched the OEM specs. I didn't feel right about it, so I decided NOT to install it and reused the OEM bolt and gasket (they did fine). Since I have to do another oil change at 10,000, it's no big deal. I can still return it to Amazon, but did I make the right call? I know I saw a magnetic oil plug at the local auto parts store in the size I needed. So, buying from Amazon wasn't my only option after all. For me, the aftermarket bolt would have needed the "seal" more to ensure the gap in the threading didn't breach the thickness of the oil pan. Why they didn't run the threading all the way to the head, I don't know.

Also, for a set of jumper cables...what's inexpensive but designed to be foolproof with the Prius?

 

Perhaps, but when in doubt....don't.

It's not a length issue. It was the gap between the threads and the head of the bolt. The washer serving as a way to ensure the bolt didn't go too deep. Seemed like a silly way to do things.

 

It says it doesn't go with the 2013 Prius, but I saved it on the Wish List anyway.