I went to the local dealer at about 6K miles to get the free 5K service. The invoice said synthetic service, so it should be the 0W-20. Now the average mileage since the last fill-up is lower by at least 3-4 MPG. My driving habits haven't changed. I inflated the tires to above 40 PSI. I looked at the oil. It is medium amber colored. (I forgot to look at it before the oil change. ) What does the 0W-20 synthetic typically look like after an oil change? I'm wondering if they really used the synthetic, even though the oil cap clearly says 0w-20. I'll wait until the next fill-up to see what the true mileage is before I question the dealer.
The 5K service does not include an oil change!! It's only tire rotation and a check of all components on the list. I don't know who told you the oil was changed, but that is done every 10K!
I specifically asked for the oil change since it's been a year. The rule is 10K or 1 year, whichever comes first. The invoice listed a 05KSYN service, which I assume means the oil change.
i found the right oil not being used......and it makes a difference how to check? i got a old plastic cup and put a hole in it f..filled it with oil with finger over hole removed finger and counted time did the same with 0-20w oil there IS big difference of about 20-30 sec oil draining from cup between the heavier oil and lighter oil getting your sample out of the car is your big problem you can drain and also buy 1litre of 0-20w to compare worth it because the mpg difference is 3-4mpg if there's a difference your toyota garage will have to put in the proper oil don't let them away with it!!
In my uneducated experience if the dealers have used the significantly cheaper 5w30 oil (which protects the engine but ruins your mpg's), then the car will sound much smoother on cold starts; just at the expense of fuel economy. The 0w20 sounds exactly as before with new oil compared to the old oil. In other words, I couldn't hear a difference when the oil is changed from 0w20 to 0w20 but could hear a smoother engine with 5w30. Whilst 5w30 is smoother, it ruins your mpg's. You can sort of tell by looking at the dipstick - 5w30 is darker even when new and 0w20 looks almost like water. Good luck proving this though.
Thanks for the replies. The oil does look darker on the dipstick than I remember it. And the MPGs are definitely lower. I will confront the dealer, although they will probably deny it. Next time I will specifically request the 0W-20 in writing on the contract. If they don't make it right, I may have to find another dealer to do the next maintenance, even though it will be inconvenient. There isn't another one for 20 miles. BTW, the invoice says: 05KSYN 08/10/2012 5,000 MILE SYNTHETIC VEHICLE SERVICE - COMP MAINT 0W-20 is the only synthetic Toyota offers, right?
The best way to change the oil is to do it yourself... I came to this conclusion after reading all the stories.
I don't bother going to the dealer anymore for oil changes (on my 08). They overfilled it every time even though I told them not to. It takes longer, it costs more, and the job isn't necessarily done right. I DIY. The only downside is disposing of the old oil but most repair shops take the oil for recycling for free so no big deal.
I couldn't change it myself as I lack a garage and driveway. But what's the point of the free 2 year service if they always screw it up? At least they rotated the tires correctly. I plan on getting the dealer to correct this. I can always threaten to give them a bad review on the next survey.
I can confirm that 0W20 looks almost like the lightest canola oil you can ever see not at all like traditional oil. Also you should be able to tell the consistency different from normal motor oil .. you pull out the dipstick and if you "used to " conventional 5W30 or something like that you would feel the syn very very thin almost like cooking oil Just my take ... so yes right after the oil change you can tell ... later on it darkens and about 10k it looks likes dark chocolate and looks very much like what you would expect from normal oil but I think I still can "feel" it is lighter./...
That's exactly what I'm trying to wonder myself as I read so many (bad) stories of dealers not changing the oil right by either not putting the oil that is specified(ow-20) or overfilling. The latter happened to me as a local dealer overfilled my prius w/ 5 quarts of oil on my 1st scheduled 10k service. Of course I had the normal bad MPG right after. Now, I have much doubt or hesitation that the dealer can even do a proper oil change on our cars.
Even Jiffy Lube is claiming they can do hybrids now with 0W-20. It's pathetic that the dealers can't get it right, whether it is due to incompetence, negligence or fraud.
Possibly all three? Makes you why people end up with the cheaper 5w30 oil on the 'free' service plans? Anything to do with 0w20 costing a lot of money and the dealer maybe thinking "hey, oil is oil. They're never gonna know the difference" and pour in the cheaper stuff. I think we have finally got the wrong oil issue sorted here in the UK, with Toyota repeatedly stressing which oil should be used in their newer hybrids. Judging from comments on the UK forums, this persistence from Toyota seems to have paid off. I am curious why you were getting the car serviced at 5,000 miles though, when the service plan for the 2010 is every 10,000 when using 0w20.
The OP states that the oil was change after one year and that is the normal service interval even in the UK. Service book says oil change at 10,000miles or one year witch ever comes first.
I called the dealer this morning. I talked to the Service receptionist, not a technician. She denied any possibility that the wrong oil was used. That synthetic is used on all newer vehicles. Sounded like a standard speech they've used before. So I guess I'll keep monitoring the MPG until the next fill up and see how it averages out.
I think the question should be asked "what grade of synthetic was used?" as 0w30, 5w30, also come in synthetic form but, they are still the wrong grade.
I doubt she knows what oil was used & she & others will deny any wrongdoing unless you can prove it by the paperwork they gave you or oil analysis.
I think I'll call back and talk to the service manager. I want them to confirm that 0w-20 was used. Edit: They confirmed that 0w-20 was used if I can believe them.
