Any way to verify synthetic oil was used ?

The only way to ensure that synthetic oil was used, is to do the job yourself. The cost of a used oil analysis is more than what it would cost to just change it again yourself

If there are trust issues with that dealership, don't go back

 

You do want to correct that overfilled oil. It can cause problems that cost $'s to fix and reduce your gas mileage. Search overfilled oil for lots of threads on the subject.

 

What Jayman said above.

If it were me, I would remove enough oil to get below the full mark on the dipstick then I would just go ahead and run to the next 5k point (normal dino oil is fine as long as it is the correct viscosity). Next time you can change the oil yourself so you can be sure that it is what you want and done correctly (not overfilled).

 

Hi Tom. I assume that they didn't overfill it with the full 5 qts, as that would be a huge overfill. You're talking about the typical 1/8" to 1/4" overfill right?

BTW. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere the bulk oil that Toyota uses is a semi-synthetic anyway. I think they said it is Castrol FMX 5W30 which is supposed to be "synthetic fortified" or something like that.

 

Well as I said, even the "dino juice" that the dealer puts in as standard is a pretty good quality oil (Castrol FMX). And it does look very pale in color like you described, but so does Mobile 1, I don't think I could tell them apart just by looking.

 

I know you're ok with the 5 qt item but it would flag my trust of the service department. I doubt the dealer keeps Mobil I 5w30 in stock. Perhaps he has 0w20 Toyota brand for 2010 service requirements.
In the future you might want to provide your own oil and watch...better still the oil is easy to change and you can be sure that it's not overfilled which is a no-no.

 

I agree with everyone saying you should be more concerned about the overfill. I'd assume they probably did use synthetic as you requested but worst case scenario and even if your fears are correct and they used conventional oil, you're fine.

Frankly I've read too many threads about difficulties getting The Prius oil changed. Usually it's overfilling. The common response is to change it yourself. Personally? I don't want to change the oil myself. Despite the cost, the convience of being able to have someone change it for me, is important. I don't have the time, materials or inclination.

I've read other threads where people are routinely using various methods to siphon the all too common overfill. Also other threads where people are doing everything from providing their own exact supply of whatever brand and grade of oil. Some people are taping detailed instructions in their car. All methods of ensuring a proper oil change...but imo disappointingly detailed.

IMO this issue goes beyond the reality of a simple oil change. It's about trusting your service department. You obviously do not. You are not the only one. But it's a problem. If you don't trust your service department for an oil change then what about when it's something more serious?

Prius owners love their cars so much that the reaction is to bend over backwards. It's usually "They overfilled my oil....I'll just fix it myself...ha, ha, ha...
But IMO I've read enough threads about difficulties getting a basic oil change at a Toyota dealership service department that I think owners need to get more vocal and more upset. You paid to have your Oil Changed. You have a right to the expectation that it is done correctly and to your standards. If it is overfilled? It is not correct. Again IMO there is enough evidence that this is too common an occurence. Toyota needs to release service bulletins until it is common knowledge at ALL DEALERSHIP service departments how to change The Prius oil correctly. Evidently....too many of them are going too fast, or unaware of the capacity difference between Prius and other vehicles. Toyota could help and owners can help, if they simply do not accept the mistake. I wouldn't be combative, or troublesome, but I would politely communicate that your oil was overfilled. Otherwise nobody is ever going to learn.

 

Good luck. Prius has been sold in the US for nine years and the US install base is now 700K+ units. There's been plenty of opportunity for the oil change techs to learn, if they wanted to.

Easier to set the oil fill machine to 4 quarts, pump it in, and be done.

Regarding uart's comments about the bulk oil being used, I believe that typically a US Toyota dealer service dept will use 5W-30 Mobil mineral oil (not synthetic.) Perhaps the Australian practice differs.

 

Sorry, but I think it's ridiculous. It's a pretty basic operation and vital to the maintenance of one of Toyota's most popular models. If I ran a service department, I would advertise EXACTLY what we do in a Prius Oil change...that we knew the capacity and fill with Oil A, B, or C.---Then I'd make damn sure my techs knew the capacity and the Oil that should go in the vehicle. It's really not that difficult.

This defeatist attitude that so many owners take, that overfills are just unavoidable and inevitable doesn't help the problem.

 

Maybe you can do a smell test.

 

Yeah that claim isn't verified. I got that info a while back from an Australian forum found with a google search for what Toyota dealers use for their bulk oils. That info was never really substantiated, though the OP did say "They put a castrol sticker on the windshield" which made me think that perhaps the "Castrol FMX" story was true.

 

Our local dealer where I used to take my GF's Avalon and took my Prius for the 1st oil change claim that they use Pennzoil products. But if its coming out of the bulk tank, who really knows for sure what it is?

 

Maybe they use that in the land of Oz, but a few years ago I posted the virgin oil analysis results of the "wonderful" dealership bulk oil

It was horrific

No its not. Something as "simple" as an oil change appears to go wrong often enough, that one has to accept:

1. Dealerships truly do not give one rats a**
2. Whatever kid who last week was flipping burgers is now the "tech"
3. They will lie and tell you whatever you want to hear

Let's not forget that the bulk tank is rarely properly maintained. We had a dealership guy awhile ago who boasted of his bulk tank and even posted photos of it

It had a nice layer of dust on top. I asked "where is the desiccant breather filter?"

Never did hear back from that guy

As my virgin sample analysis of dealership oil proved, the bulk tank was contaminated with rust, water, and dirt. Never mind the suspect quality of the oil itself

 

Jayman you're making me so glad that I've chosen to do the next oil change myself.

 

It is ridiculous and your attitude is part of the problem. Toyota has been paying a lot of lip service to improving quality and communication. Expectations should be that this improvement should exist throughout the Toyota ownership experience. Especially with Hybrids and The Prius where maintenance outlets are somewhat limited, faith and confidence in your dealership service department is an important part of the overall quality of Toyota as a company.

The fact that so many people don't even trust they can get a simple oil change done correctly is a problem Toyota needs to address.

The fact that you believe that dealerships don't give a rat's @ss, have incompetent techs, and will lie at any opportunity is a problem.

I'm not saying you are incorrect in your observations only that as supporters of Toyota, expecting competency, honesty and integrity from your dealership is not beyond the range of reasonable expectation.

In bigger cities and areas, people might have options for hybrid maintenance, but in rural or more remote locations The Dealership is the place many are forced to go for everything from Oil Changes to Major Breakdowns.

You yourself admit that something as simple as an oil change goes wrong too often....well I agree, but the difference is I think we need to react by holding Toyota and the individual service departments to a higher standard...not simply say they all suck...and expect all owners to change their own oil and/or find an option when they experience a major problem.

 

I actually DO hold them to account, and can get pretty nasty about it too.

But it simply isn't worth my time and worry to nitpick over everything they do. So I chose to DIY

For those who can not or will not DIY, they are truly in a bind. Look at the dealership survey's, such as those from Consumer Reports. Toyota ranks pretty low on average

My "attitude" has nothing to do with how shi**y dealership service it. It has everything to do with THEIR attitude, which is primarily one of "screw the customer"

 

This kind of crap is why I am never, ever buying another Toyota that I need to bring to the dealerships for service. I live in Chicago (pretty big city, right? I have options, right?), and I still have no choice - I feel like my choices are between 1. poor service and "screw the customer" and 2. poor service and "screw the customer" while getting the finger. Most of the time we just drop the car off and hope that the car leaves in better condition than it goes in.

Practical advice:
I bring them a Wal-Mart jug of Mobil 1 with 4qt of oil in it. I expect them to return me a mostly-empty jug with a bit left. It's happened before that they didn't put the right oil in and more often than not it seems that they overfill the car. If you like to use synthetic, it might save you some money too.