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Prius Battery & Oil change - ???

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Skaler13, May 18, 2015.

  1. Skaler13

    Skaler13 New Member

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    Hi all I've just bought a prius 2013 about 2 months ago. I've already put 6k miles on it and I have a few questions because I'm about to put a lot of miles on it... So best be prepared right?

    Anyways oil change intervals tells me I need one every 5k miles.. Should I do this or can I do 6k? 7k? I have no problem doing 5k just curious.

    Also I've been researching a lot about how long before I need to replace the hybrid battery pack and haven't really gotten a straight answer. So to those with crazy amount of miles...Have you had your pack replaced yet? When should I expect to replace mine?

    Anyways I'm loving my prius best choice I've ever made! Let me know if you have any advice for someone who drives around 40k miles a year in terms of maintenance or anything. Thanks!
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've got no problem doing 5k oil changes either. BUT, I'm in Canada, where the oil change interval is 8000 km or 6 months.

    Are you in the States? Then, the maintenance reminder there is just that, it's saying SOME maintenance is needed. Open your Warranty and Maintenance booklet, have a look. If it's States, oil and filter change is 10k miles or yearly, whichever comes first.

    There's nothing stopping you doubling up or whatever, though: it's your car.
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    You do not list your location, so there is no real answer to this. (or any other question, really. If you plan to ask questions, list a location)
    If you are in Canada, your Oil Change Interval is 5000 miles 8000 km.
    If you are in the US, your OCI is 10,000 miles (how ever your service interval is 5,000 miles for tire rotation and inspection)
    If you are somewhere else, your OCI is whatever Toyota thought wise for that area.

    Reading you Maintenance manual may be wise Here is the US manual, just in case that is where you are. http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/T-MMS-15Prius/pdf/2015_Toyota_Prius_WMG.pdf The service schedule starts on page 38

    I would set aside cash to be able to replace it at 150,000 miles, and then let it build up the the 250,000 miles you will really need it.
    Looks like $1200 on ebay right now, who knows what it will be in 144,000 more miles. Toyota Prius HV Hybrid Battery Pack 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Exchange | eBay
     
  4. Skaler13

    Skaler13 New Member

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    That's the thing though, the maintenance light popped up at the 5k mile count from previous oil change. So I assumed it was the oil change. I got it done and then just reset the light. I'm in Canada but my car Is from Michigan, US. Why is the light popping up after 5k if the recommended is 10k?
     
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    If you were in the US, the maintenance interval is 5,000 miles for Tire rotation and inspections, every other maintenance interval includes an oil change.
     
  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Don't worry about the traction battery as it is warranted up to 10 years/150000 miles.

    When it is time you can swap out the 12v battery yourself in about an hour. If the car is under 2 years old and has less than 25000 miles on it Toyota may owe you an oil change or two.

    Inflate the tires to max. sidewall & enjoy the fuel savings.
     
  7. Skaler13

    Skaler13 New Member

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    But my car is American so do I follow that schedule? Not sure if since it's American but being driven in Canada makes a difference on the maintenance cycle.
     
  8. Skaler13

    Skaler13 New Member

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    Thanks for the advice! I'll go through those 150k miles in less than 3 years lol so hopefully the battery burns out before so I get a free one.
     
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You've got a weird situation, maybe: US car, transplanted to Canada. FYI, Canadian spec cars don't have maintenance reminder. Is the car registered with Honda USA or Honda Canada? Is the odometer in miles?

    My 2 cents: I'd go with the Canadian schedule (8000 km or 6 mo oil/filter change), just to be on the safe side. At least for the warranty period.
     
  10. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    You are getting Canadian winters, I would follow Canadian Oil Change Intervals.
     
  11. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    You should be using 0-20 synthetic oil in your car. The oil change interval is 10,000 miles.
     
    HaroldW likes this.
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you get 10/150 in canada?
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    We get this:

    Capture.JPG

    What not's clear though: does OP have Canadian or US warranty?
     
  14. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    ... if you're extremely slow. That's a very easy project, assuming you're installing a directly interchangeable battery.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Takes me days, lol, because step one is to hook the new battery up to a smart charger, let it go to completion, multiple hours. And the last step is a drive back to the dealership with the old battery, to recoup my core charge.

    I like to clean the posts and cable clamps before install. You can use scraps of fine sand paper and/or wire brush, or a battery post cleaning tool. Be cognisant of the lead dust though.
     
  16. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    If you're operating the car in Canada it might be wise to use the Canadian schedule. It's based on the weather and what that does to an operating engine. In -most- of the US it's warmer so "stuff" gets boiled out of the oil. Not so much for Canada.

    Canadian Prius do have the maintenance reminder, it's just programmable by the owner. Mine is not turned on. I use a sticker on the top corner of the windshield. Very high tech. ;)

    The hybrid or "traction" battery is a "lifetime component". Barring a rare failure it should last the "lifetime" of the car. Most on this forum have never had to replace it. But there are some. Cost from Toyota is about $2500. I believe the US warranty would be honored in Canada, but you could ask to find out. If not you could return to the US to get it replaced if it ever fails while under warranty.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    David, I've missed that. Are you sure? Is it maybe only on models with the navigation screen? We don't have that, 2010 Touring model.
     
  18. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Yes, nav. has it built in. You can set the mileage reminder for several things, but I'd have to look closely and write them all down there are so many.
     
  19. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    If you've already put 3K miles per month on the car and are planning to add to that, I would change the oil every 5K miles. I think most would agree that that kind of mileage would be considered "extreme duty."