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OK to use left over engine oil? Does oil go bad once opened?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 2009Prius, Apr 23, 2010.

  1. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Just did the 10K oil change. Used 3 + 12/32 qts. Is it OK to save the remaining 20/32 qt in the already opened bottle for the next oil change in 6 months? Does the oil go bad once opened? Thanks!
     
    #1 2009Prius, Apr 23, 2010
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes.

    No.

    I can't measure fluid with the same precision as you, so I use 3.5 quarts. I save the remaining 0.5 quart for the next time when I don't have to measure, just dump it in.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Apr 23, 2010
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  3. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    As long as you put the cap on the bottle to prevent moisture from contaminating the remaining oil, you should be able to use it for (part of) the next oil change. I buy Mobil 1 in 5 qt containers, use 3.5 qts, save the remaining 1.5 quarts to use at the next oil change. Buy another 5 qt container, use 2 qts (to go with 1.5), save the remaining 3 qts, etc.
     
    #3 dogfriend, Apr 23, 2010
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  4. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    The Shell synthetic oil bottles I bought came with a translucent strip and 4/32 qt marks molded on the side so it is easy to read how much oil is used. :)
     
    #4 2009Prius, Apr 23, 2010
  5. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    As Patrick already noted.

    But do yourself a favor. You can avoid the bother, uncertainty and potential mess of partial bottles by using three quarts exactly. Try it at the next oil change: add three quarts. Wait 15 minutes. Check the dipstick. The level will almost certainly be halfway between the add and full marks, and that is fine. Remember that the top mark does not mean "perfect": it means, "do not add any more".
     
    #5 richard schumacher, Apr 23, 2010
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  6. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    I was wondering about that since I had seen your advice in other posts. Last night when the oil was relatively cold the (3 + 12/20) quarts reached about 1/4 inch below the "full" mark. However this morning after the engine running a short time and stopped for a few minutes the oil level was only up to about 3/5 (a little over half) between the "add" and "full" marks. I did fill the new oil filter with oil before installing and there was no leak under the car. I suppose there are other places the oil won't reach until the engine cranks. I wonder if without the 12/20 qt the level would not reach halfway between the "add" and "full" marks. What is the capacity between the two marks?
     
    #6 2009Prius, Apr 23, 2010
  7. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Toyota says the difference between the Low and Full marks is 1.6 qts. Then again, they also say the refill amount is 3.9 quarts. :rolleyes:
     
    #7 dogfriend, Apr 23, 2010
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  8. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    If 1.6 is correct then without the 12/32 I may be below half of "add" and "full" marks and that seems a bit risky.
     
    #8 2009Prius, Apr 23, 2010
  9. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Toyota says anywhere between the Low and Full marks is acceptable. Check the owners manual.
     
    #9 dogfriend, Apr 23, 2010
  10. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    Yes if all the oil stays there. When I said risky I was thinking of leaks - more oil to start with will tolerate greater leaks.
     
    #10 2009Prius, Apr 23, 2010
  11. MJFrog

    MJFrog Active Member

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    If you've got a leak you need to get it repaired, regardless of how much oil you add in the meantime.
     
    #11 MJFrog, Apr 23, 2010
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  12. MJFrog

    MJFrog Active Member

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    Hey, thanks for the reminder. I'm leaving on a cross country trip tomorrow and had the oil changed a couple of days ago. Forgot to check the level after I got home. Used 3 quarts of oil for the change along with a new filter. Checking it just now it's slightly more than halfway between the add and full marks.
     
    #12 MJFrog, Apr 23, 2010
  13. dogfriend

    dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid

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    Unless its a Ford. They are designed to leak a small amount. :madgrin:
     
    #13 dogfriend, Apr 25, 2010
  14. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

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    I seem to remember a discussion about "full" oil level slightly reducing mpg in gen11 Prius :confused:
    Am I dreaming :angel:
     
    #14 snead_c, Apr 25, 2010
  15. fgoodyear

    fgoodyear New Member

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    I use 3 3/4 quarts for an oil change. That puts mine exactly on the full mark..... And do you know why the British don't build computers? Because they can't figure a way to make them leak oil......
     
    #15 fgoodyear, Apr 27, 2010
  16. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Engine oil will only go off if you leave the container in a north south alignment due to the molecules aligning with the lines of magnetic force of the earth. This affect is more pronounced with Magnatech oils but other oils display this to a lesser extent. Always align left over oil containers in an east west alignment.


    :D
     
    #16 patsparks, Apr 27, 2010
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  17. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Sometimes I hate myself, this is not one of those times.
     
    #17 patsparks, Apr 27, 2010
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