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08 prius with 47k m, what do you recommend?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Felix R, Mar 6, 2013.

  1. Felix R

    Felix R Junior Member

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    hi to all.
    i just bought a 08 prius with 47k miles. would you recommend to do the 50k miles service?
    ill like to get some tips

    the last time the car was serviced this were the work performed

    -42444 miles
    oil/oil filter change
    top off all fluids
    lubricate suspension, door and hood
    adjust tire presure.

    flush and clean hydraulic brake system, refill with bg super dot 4 brake fluid.
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Find the maintenance/warranty booklet in the car's glove compartment, or else find this online at toyota.com

    At 50K miles, the major task is to replace the engine oil and oil filter. Major service is at 30K mile intervals, which means the next is at 60K miles for your car. A major service requires engine/cabin air filter changes, engine oil/oil filter change, and some inspections.

    You might want to inspect the engine and cabin air filters now to make sure they are in good condition, and replace if needed.
     
  3. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Felix,

    The previous owner did one unnecessary maintenance item, the brake fluid flush so follow Pat's advice and read the owner's manual.

    There is one maintenance item that many of us feel should be done that is not listed in Toyota's official maintenance list, a simple drain and refill (Not a flush!) the transmission fluid with Toyota type WS ATF. I would do that immediately and a Toyota dealer should only charge about $100 for the job (run away quickly if that dealer wants to overcharge for that service). My suggested schedule is to refresh the ATF (always with Toyota type WS ATF) every 60k miles with the first one a bit earlier at 30k miles.

    Enjoy your Prius, it is a great car.

    JeffD
     
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  4. Felix R

    Felix R Junior Member

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    thanks for the answers.
    also would you recommend changing to toyota 0w-20 or mobil1 0w-30?
     
  5. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    I use 5W-30 as specified by Toyota in the owners manual, but a full synthetic (sometimes Mobile1 usually Shell depending on price).

    JeffD
     
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  6. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    I agree 100%. The Transaxle is a major expense to replace and the simple drain and fill will eliminate plenty of potential issues down the line.
     
  7. Felix R

    Felix R Junior Member

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    with full syn , the oil changes are every 10k miles right?
     
  8. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Normal driving Yes every 10,000 Miles.

    If you are a taxi or drive in dusty conditions (Desert) every 5,000 Miles.

    Note that is the Gen III. Gen 2 is every 5,000 miles.
     
  9. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    I am old school and still do oil changes at 5k miles as in the owners manual.

    JeffD
     
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  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Depends upon your location.

    If you live in the desert Southwest or another area with hot summers, I would not recommend 0W-20 as you may find your car's engine will start to consume that thin viscosity oil.

    0W-30 is OK, especially if you have cold winters.
     
  11. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    The recommended oil change intervals for the Gen 2 Prius are at 5K miles. If you care about your car, I would stick w/that. If you really want to stretch it out, I'd maybe run until 7.5K miles and get an oil analysis done, but doing that costs as much as an oil change.

    It wasn't until a bit into the Gen 3 Prius (2010+ model year) that it (for the Gen 3 Prius ONLY) was changed to 10K miles w/the use of synthetic. Gen 3 Prius has a different engine.