1. Offline

    LTRAiN New Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    May 20, 2009
    Posts:
    45
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Seattle
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    i'd love to see a guide like the one availble for the 2009.

    with step by step and parts list. dont forget the photos!
  2. Offline

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Jan 6, 2004
    Posts:
    6,828
    Likes Received:
    1,471
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    If you're waiting for one from me, that won't be until sometime in August. The procedure is different and the photos will be a challenge, but driving enough miles to need the change is the biggest part of the wait.
    .
  3. Offline

    PRIUS PWNER New Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Jun 29, 2009
    Posts:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Lancaster
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Why do it yourself when you can take it to your local dealer like I do. It doesn't cost much and they can dispose of the old oil so I don't have to worry about it. I like taking it there because they do an inspection on my vehicle while it is on the rack, they catch anything that is wrong with it that I probably would not. My local dealer SIERRA TOYOTA has always done a great job with my prius.
  4. Offline

    Therand New Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Jun 22, 2009
    Posts:
    31
    Likes Received:
    10
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I prefer doing most of the simple stuff (like changing the oil) myself. That way I am visually inspecting the car and can keep a tally on anything unusual - like new signs of an oil or coolant leak. I know I am much more interested in the healthy running of my vehicle than anyone else. I am not bashing mechanics - they simply see dozens of cars a day and one more stain isn't going to ruin their business. If the signs are big enough, they may let you know about it. If not, they don't say anything.

    When I notice a stain or such, I start paying attention to it. In this way, I feel more connected to the health of my car. I can begin to predict when I will need to change certain things or begin to worry about something more major.

    All-in-all, DIY is more a piece of mind - at least for me. It is a way for me to keep a finger on the pulse of my car. When you consider that it only takes a few minutes and saves me a few $$ to boot, I feel more than aptly justified in doing it myself.
  5. Offline

    nineinchnail1024 New Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    May 4, 2009
    Posts:
    280
    Likes Received:
    36
    Location:
    New Orleans
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Quick question. Does the '10 use a cartridge filter or a contained filter.
  6. Offline

    Philosophe 2010 Prius owner

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Jun 2, 2009
    Posts:
    437
    Likes Received:
    69
    Location:
    Montréal, Québec (Canada)
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Cartridge.
    TsKarma and nineinchnail1024 like this.
  7. Offline
    • Moderator

    efusco Troll Slayer

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Nov 26, 2003
    Posts:
    19,831
    Likes Received:
    1,035
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    There's not a lot wrong with having a service dept. do it, but there are lots of good reasons to do it yourself.

    1)Getting to know your own vehicle. Once you know what you vehicle is like, how it works, how to do simple things on it yourself you're very much empowered to take care of other things and not be fooled into having serviced done that you don't need or want.

    2)The assurance that the proper oil of your choice is being used and that the proper amount is put in...check out some of the many "dealer over filled my oil" threads in the Prius II forums. Nobody cares for your car as much as you do.

    3) Satisfaction...it's kinda nice getting your hands dirty once in a while.

    4) Cost-while it might not be too expensive using the dealer's base oil choice, just try asking him how much your service will cost using a good synthetic like Mobil 1--it'll get pricy fast. I can pay for my own oil and filter and do a full Mobil 1 oil change for less than $20. Add to that that I only, now, change every 10k miles and my costs are much less than a dealer.
  8. Offline

    LTRAiN New Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    May 20, 2009
    Posts:
    45
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Seattle
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    id like to see the guide so i know what im up agsaint to help me decide which route to take. its a PITA to do it yourself, but an expensive PITA to take to a dealer.
  9. Offline
    • Moderator

    efusco Troll Slayer

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Nov 26, 2003
    Posts:
    19,831
    Likes Received:
    1,035
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    John,
    You could easily justify/rationalize an early oil change for the first one. Many of us believe that doing the first one at about 2000 miles makes sense b/c there will be much more wear of the new ICE during that time and that the early change to fresh oil could have positive benefits very far down the road.
  10. Offline

    nineinchnail1024 New Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    May 4, 2009
    Posts:
    280
    Likes Received:
    36
    Location:
    New Orleans
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I did every oil change in my '05 as I plan to on my '10. Everything was easy to get to and the whole job took less than 10 minutes. I can't see paying someone to do a job that doesn't even make me break a sweat.
  11. Offline

    jm1515 New Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    May 11, 2009
    Posts:
    51
    Likes Received:
    24
    Location:
    Columbus OH
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    +1 definitely :rockon:
  12. Offline

    FireEngineer Active Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Oct 6, 2004
    Posts:
    1,245
    Likes Received:
    118
    Location:
    SW-Side of Chicago, IL
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Here's a start, someone else can finish if they want.



    From the rear
    P1000570.jpg

    Wayne

    Attached Files:

    2 people like this.
  13. Offline
    • Moderator

    efusco Troll Slayer

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Nov 26, 2003
    Posts:
    19,831
    Likes Received:
    1,035
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Oh, that's not so bad...I thought the entire underbody panel had to be removed. Got a pic of where the filter goes?
  14. Offline

    FireEngineer Active Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Oct 6, 2004
    Posts:
    1,245
    Likes Received:
    118
    Location:
    SW-Side of Chicago, IL
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    It's the round black cap in the pic just above and to the right of the oil pan.

    Wayne
  15. Offline
    • Moderator

    efusco Troll Slayer

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Nov 26, 2003
    Posts:
    19,831
    Likes Received:
    1,035
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Wow, geez, could that be any easier? I had visions of very difficult oil changes almost forcing people to use the dealer. I'd never go to the dealer with access that easy.
  16. Offline

    mosttoysrk New Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    May 30, 2009
    Posts:
    10
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Bellevue, WA
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    It may be harder than it looks in these pictures. Notice the car is on a lift and the access panel to the oil filter area and drain plug goes below the tire when open.

    The car will have to be on ramps or you will have to jack it up, and if you jack it up it has to be level to drain the oil correctly from the pan.

    I have read to drain the oil without the car on a lift requires you to remove the whole plate underneath the engine compartment.
  17. Offline

    FireEngineer Active Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Oct 6, 2004
    Posts:
    1,245
    Likes Received:
    118
    Location:
    SW-Side of Chicago, IL
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Doesn't matter if on a lift, ramps or jack stands, three push-pins and it opens.

    Wayne
  18. Offline

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Oct 3, 2005
    Posts:
    3,985
    Likes Received:
    619
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Anyone know the torque values? I have heard 18 ft lbs for the filter cap and 24 ft lbs for the drain plug. I know "good mechanics" can do it by feel but I prefer to use a torque wrench.

    Thanks for the pictures Wayne.
  19. Offline
    • Moderator

    HTMLSpinnr Moderator

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Dec 8, 2003
    Posts:
    5,191
    Likes Received:
    789
    Location:
    Surprise, AZ (Phoenix)
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I think I posted them in the "Despite Synthetic..." thread.
  20. Offline

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Start a Conversation
    Member Since:
    Oct 3, 2005
    Posts:
    3,985
    Likes Received:
    619
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Your Vehicle Year:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Yes you did, I thought I had seen them somewhere. It's 27 ft lbs for the plug and 18 ft lbs for the filter. Now all I need is a car and I can do the job.

Share This Page