10k oci

Regular Dino is rated to 5000mi. So you are absolutely fine going 10k miles on full synthetic. Changing synthetic every 5k miles is really a waste of money. Take into account the prius ICE isn't even on 100% of the time like in other cars, so its not as hard on the oil.

Take into another account that many synthetics are rated past 10k miles. Mobil 1 EP is rated to 15k miles, Amsoil is rated to 25k miles. 10k miles on a full synthetic is fine, saves you money in the long run, and will be better for your engine.

This is why the service manual states if you use 5W-20, then to change every 5k miles, because the 5W-20 oil is not synthetic.

 

Well, I'll add another perspective and a data point. While I agree w/ Col R. in general about synthetics, I'm not so sure the constant on/off doesn't add to, rather than lessen, the oil wear (not disputing--just wondering). I mention two things:

(1) I don't think it is ever a bad idea to get the factory fill out a little sooner. It does wear in, no matter the oil. In the grand scheme of things, doing it will put an unmeasurable dent in your long term finances, and at the least perhaps give you added peace of mind.

(2) I have an earlier build and was doing 5K OCIs until the 'news' came out earlier this year, at which point I'd decided to skip a 15K change and get it done just shy of 20K. I sent a sample (right about 9K on the oil at the time of sampling) to Blackstone. See for yourself (attached). I honestly don't know whether this is something to be concerned about or not--I've heard opinions both ways. I intend to do another sample when this oil has about 7500K on it, just to see.

As an aside, I'm continually dismayed by these ongoing reports that Toyota service reps, even after well over a year, seem to be just making s**t up. "7-10K" miles? Where, anywhere, does it say that in the OM?

Regards,
~T

 

If you intend to keep the car past warranty, do you really want to be riding around on 10K old oil just to save $60? I changed my oil with 7800 miles on it, they look like my toilet after taco bell.

You spend $25K on a new car and you want to save $60 on an oil change. I can't figure that one out.

 

Changed myself at 9200 miles. Only oil I've ever changed that was not thoroughly black (at 3 to 5 thousand miles, no less). If concerned, test it, use higher rated oil like Amsoil, and/or use the TRD filter instead of normal one. My dealer didn't stock the TRD filter. I used Mobil1, and am comfortable going another 9 or 10 thousand unless I fall under the listed conditions for more frequent service.

Much of the world scoffs at our frequent oil changes. Our intervals date back to less refined engines and lesser oil formulations. And marketing hype.

 

1. It's a fact the more often you let people work/change oil on your car the more likly they will screw up. Google blown engine because of oil change. I was just at Firestone auto center here in NC and they overfilled my truck by two iches, about 2 quarts, it blew the dip stick out, and i'm sure would have done major damage to the motor if i didn't notice it right away. The truck also has a bent oil pan/ oil drain plug because of another place torqueing it to hard.

a old buddy of mine lost a motor to an oil change place in MI. They didn't tighten the oil filter, 10 miles later blown motor, and the place never paid a penny to the guy.

2. Please provide facts that show damage is caused by following Toyota on oil changes. or facts that show you know more than them or that they are wrong.

 

Toyota doesn't have to fix cars once they are out of warranty. If you blow up at 61K, I am sure they won't give a crap.

Go google sludge build up engine oil change, you will get just as many hits.

Some people like to be fat and out of shape, some people like to workout a little and keep themselves healthy for the long term. It's your choice.

 

your lack of knowledge on synthetic oils is mildly amusing. nobody is running their cars 10k on dino oil. Of course there will be sludge.

Like i said, Mobil 1 EP is rated to 15k miles OCI, and Amsoil is even rated to 25k miles OCI. Oil is always improving, its not like it was 10 years ago. 10k OCI will do the trick.

hell, people have run 7500 miles on regular dino oil all the time with no problems. My old Infiniti I35 had 7500 OCIs on regular dino oil if you did mostly highway driving. I did 7500 intervals on synthetic, and UOAs still showed plenty of oil life left.

Bottom line, follow manufacturers recommendations regarding OCIs. Then again, this isn't about saving money, its about wasting oil. I mean, if you really wanted to be anal about engine oil, why don't you just change your oil ever 1k miles with Mobil 1???

Plus, google OCIs for cars in europe. They have 10k-15k OCIs on regular dino oil all the time... So try and not criticize us and compare us to fat people because we're following the recommendations of toyota.

 

You must never step foot onto a BMW dealer then, or ride in one.

Do you do a colon flush everyday to be safe?
Do you go to the dentist every 3 months for a cleaning?
Do you get a physical every 3 months to be safe?
Do you replace the singles on your roof every three 3 years?

It's a good thing your slim and in shape, is should make up for your lack of knowledge.

 

The Stress on a Prius engine is a LOT less than Any Ordinary car..
So to me this means oil (especially Synthetic) will last longer.

However I would NEVER use Regular Oil for longer than 4k myself.
(Never put regular oil in a Prius anyway.)

I also put syntetic in my lawn mower and motorcycle.
(Lawn mower mostly because I forget when I changed it last.)

My 2 cents
Russ

 

If you own a BMW, you should do an oil analysis on the car using their 15K on Mobil 1 in their car. Heavy sludge doesn't build up the first couple of years, the problem will magnify once the car gets older.

Here is a quick test.

When your oil is thin and old on the Prius, listen to the first initial startup in the morning. You will notice a slight tick or two, it happens around 6-7K miles.

Lack of knowledge, coming from a guy who doesn't even know who oil sludge is?

 

You can do whatever you want, I know what my engine sounded like after 7800 miles on the oil (Mobil 1) and Toyota Oil at 6200 miles. Chances are that nothing will happen to it in the immediate future or even ever, but it makes me happy to know my car won't blow smoke when I go WOT or have valve ticking in the morning.

I agree that synthetic oil last a lot longer (I use it on all my cars), but I won't push it too far for the sake of savings $60

Sorry, I am not a big fan of seeing obese people chowing down a big fat burger and milk shake.

 

I am in agreement with cossie1600 on this. I have seen on here where one guy is working with the oil testing lab and stretching his oci to 20,000 miles. It will be nice to know for sure what the limits of oci are based on oil testing results.

This, like so many things on here, comes down to personal preference. I just bought 5 quarts of oil and a filter from the Toyota dealer for $45. For $45 and thirty minutes time, I would rather change my oil every six months rather than run the car for a year between changes. My personal preference and cheap insurance to me.

It also gives me the opportunity to put the car on the ramp and inspect the underside of the car while changing the oil along with rotating the tires.

 

You can do whatever you want too. Like i said, engine oil sludge happens when people don't change their oil by ignoring the regular scheduled OCIs. Toyota, who designed the engine, i'm pretty sure they know what their engines do to oil more than you.

As for that tick you hear, that could be a 100 different things, how do you know that's oil? Do whatever OCI you want, but don't criticize people for following manufacturer's recommendations. Like i said, Amsoil is rated to 25,000 miles/1 year, and plenty of people who have run that cycle have had ZERO SLUDGE. And if you're comparing a BMW engine to a Toyota engine, well, i don't know, but that's just mildly amusing. BMW engines require synthetic oil, because their engines are much more harder on the oils than say a 4cyl non-turbo Toyota. And yet in Europe, 15k OCIs are still common there. Funny.

Like you said, chances are nothing will ever happen. If you want to spend $60 for a peace of mind, go ahead. I guess the whole saying Toyota is #1 car for reliability doesn't bear much these days.

So here's the bottom line: If toyota recommended 5000k OCIs for REGULAR OIL, i'm sure SYNTHETIC oil can go for a little longer.... Or do we need to be sending more money to the oil companies?

 

I have 23k on my prius, I got my lifter tick around 5 or 6k on toyota oil. With the mobil 1, i got somewhere between 6 or 7k before i got it. Thats enough to tell me the oil isnt doing its job and its time for a replacement. Sure nothing will probably come out of a set of noisy lifters, but i dont want to take that risk. its like running on bald tires. some people swears by it and some people just wont do it.

Have you ever try to make an engine claim from the oil company? good luck to you. i did btw and it failed.

I am using amsoil now, i will see how long before the oil starts breaking down.

 

I'm not worried about synthetic oil lasting 10k miles. I have no doubt that it can and well beyond. My concern is how does the oil filter fair with those periods? Has anyone done an analysis on one after 10k miles? I'm about to get to 2k miles and will probably change out the oil at 3k to get rid of the break in gunk/debris that's in there but I'm wondering if i should change again 8k miles or 10k miles and then every 5 or 10 thousand miles there after haha

 

lol filter i understand the concern. Maybe for the first oil change, its a good idea to change before 10k because of all the break-in crap.

But toyota has a history of making high-quality OEM filters. And if that doesn't comfort ya, you can always use a TRD filter. Dealers sell them for $15 or so. Its a synthetic filter like the ones Mobil 1 make, but Mobil1 doesn't make a filter for our priuses so yeah...=/

 

I would say 90% of older cars do this. Doesn't sludge clog oil passages and cause engine failure? I didn't know it causes minor lifter noise at start up.