Watch out for Dealer Oil Change Gen 3

I recently took my 2010 V in to my dealer for an oil change. I asked when I took it in if they had the 0W20 synthetic oil specified by Toyota. The service writer said yes. When I got the car back and looked at the service ticket I saw they had used 5W20 regular oil. I asked the service writer and he got the mechanic who said that Toyota recommended either one. I got out the Owners Manual and showed them on the last page summary sheet it required 0W20. They then took it back and drained out the regular oil and replaced it with the correct oil. Looks like Totota needs better mechanic training.

How did you confirm that they drained out the regular oil and put back in synthetic?

I won't get into what's perhaps the bigger issue here (the fact that they said they had the oil you wanted and then didn't use it), but the difference between the 5 weight and the 0 weight is negligible. The 0 weight requirement likely has more to do with CAFE requirements than anything else.

What did they charge you for the oil change? Most Toyota dealers should be around $70 for this type of oil change.

Did they re-price the job once they made the correction?

and also, I'm with chukiechz - if you didn't see them drain it, money says that they didn't waste the new oil and you're driving with it as we speak.

Luckily, if this is the case (and I suspect the same too), as long as you can ensure that they use the correct oil next time, you should have no ill effects, as it even mentions this in the owners manual.

I just had my first oil change tonight, at 5,000 miles. Cost was $55 including labor and this was for all synthetic. I asked what a non-synthetic oil change costs and tech told me $30, so it is about double.

Wonder if you could bring your own oil? I hear they are about 7 bucks a quart - so you would pay for the filter and labor and more importantly get the oil/brand that you want.

Isn't the viscosity stamped on the oil cap? HELLO?

--Mickey

I'm glad you mentioned it. I just walked in the door from having my oil changed and went and read the invoice. Sure enough 5w30. I'm not going to raise a big fuss about it this time but will be sure to make sure it is the right stuff next time. Good catch. Things like this is why I hate that you can't stand back there and watch them. I usually change my own oil, but getting to the point and age that I'd just prefer to pay someone to do it. Will ask next time if I can stand outside the shop and watch. This is another reason why for so many years and many cars I always do my own work on my cars so I know what's going into it and that it's for sure being done. My buddy has a Gen. II and took it to the dealer regularly and got to the mileage that they were supposed to change out the cabin filter. After a couple of those service stops he decided to change it himself. He said it was black as can be like they never touched it.

Perhaps the ability to read and analyze critically would help.

The 5W-20 oil is acceptable IF the 0W-20 is unavailable.

I'd go right to the service manager and tell him that if you do not feel as though this will be handled properly, you will take it up with the GM of the dealeship. Lying on the first service interval? What gaul!

My manual says that either SAE 0W-20 or SAE 5W-20 are OK with no reference that I have found to alternating between the two or needing synthetic oil

On P 552 it does go on to say that 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.

I wonder if we we looking at different versions of the manual? Mine is supposed to be for both US and Canada.

The thing that really worries me is the statement on P 420 that max oil consumption is 1.1 qt / 600 miles. (1L / 1000km). I will be very unhappy if it uses anything like that.

I don't think you have to be concerned with consumption at that level. No one here with G2 have complained about oil consumption at that level and I think the G3 will not have any issues.

I was told that the first couple of oil of changes should not be synthetic during the engines break in period. You want a small amount of abrasion in your oil to help polish the mechanics and the synthetics are just to smooth to do that. Can anyone confirm this?

dang i didnt even know prius uses special oil til now.

The US manual states:

Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20

SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for good fuel economy and good starting in cold weather.

If SAE 0W-20 is not available, SAE 5W-20 may be used. However, it must be replaced with SAE 0W-20 at the next oil change.

You won't find an 0W-20 non synthetic oil, so if you follow Toyota's reccomnedation, it's synthetic or nothing. Many, Many new cars come with synthetic from the factory, including apparently our Prii's. There is no problem with break in with synthetic. I wish synthetic was so slippery that it interfered with break in, but it isn't.

Yes watch the dealer's, my repair order plainly stated 0W-20 Castrol GTX, but there is a problem with that. There is NO such thing as 0W-20 Castrol GTX, it doesn't exist. GTX is a NON synthetic oil ans is much cheaper. Wanna bet the dealer saved a few bucks by putting in non synthetic and falsified the repair order>

I think this might be something to be aware of. But, I do not think that the majority of Toyota dealerships are causing problems. And, I do expect my oil changes to be a little more expensive with synthetic oil. But, that is to be expected. Again, the majority of Toyota dealerships are doing a fine job.

I'm sure they are, but a famous quote "Trust, but verify"