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Scheduled maintenance interval

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Dj3Dub, Jun 29, 2017.

  1. Dj3Dub

    Dj3Dub Junior Member

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    In Jan 2017, I brought my 05 into the dealership for a much needed oil change. I was getting red triangle light on dash. Oil was very low and causing the light to come on. (Waited bit too long for oil change) At the time the car was brought in mileage was 99,xxxx; was told that since the car is now in 100k to do service every 3500 and not 5000. March 2017, brought car back to dealership for oil change. Brought Mobil1 Annual Protection to be added. Dealership claims 3500 scheduled maintenance. Truth/malarkey? Would 7500 mi oil change be going too far?
     
  2. NavyLCDR

    NavyLCDR Active Member

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    First, you did not wait too long for an oil change - you waited tool long TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL! You don't compensate for increased oil consumption or loss due to a leak by increasing the frequency of oil changes. You compensate for increased oil loss by checking the oil level more frequently and adding oil as needed between oil changes. Yes, the dealership is feeding a line of malarkey.

    As far as which oil to use and frequency of oil change - since you are having an issue with oil consumption, I would suggest you use High Mileage oil instead of the extended service life oil. High Mileage oil as an increased concentration of additives that conditions the seals inside the engine to help lessen internal oil consumption. I would recommend sticking with the recommended oil change interval in the manual (which in the US, I believe is 5000 miles) at least for a couple of changes with the High Mileage motor oil. But CHECK THE OIL LEVEL frequently! Every fill up until you prove you can go to every other fill up - but then that increases the risk of forgetting if you checked it last time or not.
     
    #2 NavyLCDR, Jun 29, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2017
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'd agree with all of the above. The warning lights come on when oil level is dangerously low; start checking and topping up.

    Maybe just do that first, with the specd oil, get a feel for how much oil it's using. If you're needing to add frequently, you could try going to a heavier weight first.

    Leave high mileage oil for last resort, and if/when you do go to it: stay with it. Going back to regular oil will accelerate oil consumption all the more.
     
  4. Dj3Dub

    Dj3Dub Junior Member

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    Lesson learned. (The hard way). I should add that I did pick up an oil analysis kit to get an idea of what is going on/damage done upon next oil change. I will be checking the oil level more frequently as mentioned.

    Stick to M1 AP or high mileage? I'm open to suggestions if you have another brand/type.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i haven't heard of 3,500 intervals, but why don't you want to stay with 5,000? some gen 3 owners have switched from 10,000 to 5,000 due to oil burning issues.
     
  6. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    Agreed, oil consumption may burn as much as 1 qt every 2 weeks once over 200k.

    Just check often and add as needed.
    If anything you do oil changes "less" because your always adding fresh oil.
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    interesting way to look at it.
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'm using Toyota synthetic, not sure how it compares to others, and not that knowledgeable.
     
  9. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    This is a dangerous misnomer.

    My nephew seized up the engine in his Camry doing exactly this.

    The one of the major reason for doing oil changes is to drain off all the crud that accumulates in the bottom of the pan.

    Only going on the info supplied by the OP, one scenario I see playing out is the dealership maybe attempting to protect the OP from himself, knowing that if they say bring it in at 3500 he may actually get it there by 5000. One thing is for sure, if the OP damaged his engine by running the oil dangerously low (very likely); he will not benefit from a longer oil change interval.

    Lesson may have been learnt, but learnt too late.
     
    #9 dolj, Jun 29, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2017
  10. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    Oil filter change should suffice.
    Normal oil change does nothing for any sludge in bottom of pan unless you remove the pan which no one does.
    To each his own for peace of mind.

    This stuff is like doctors... Line 10 against the wall and maybe two will agree on best course of action if doing different than the book and established norms.

    I use Amsoil SSO and go up to 30k like it recommends and have no problems.
    I've done this with two 2006's one 2010 and one Avalon Hybrid and all do great and return great lab results from Blackstone labs....
    But what do I know.. Yo each his own.
     
  11. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Hardly sounds scientific.
    I beg to differ.
    If they were armchair internet warriors, I'd agree; but if you took 10 well qualified experts I'd expect that 8 out of ten would agree. One of the other two would be House.
    This is not even what was discussed; What you do and what the OP did are miles apart.

    You should at least have the integrity to state it is your opinion and not present your opinion as fact.
     
  12. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    Ok back to scheduled maintenance.. See for yourself

    "Normal Service – Up to 25,000 miles, 700 hours of operation or one year, whichever comes first, in personal vehicles not operating under Severe Service.
    Severe Service – Up to 15,000 miles, 700 hours of operation or one year, whichever comes first."

    AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil
     
  13. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I wasn't disputing what AMSOIL recommends for it's product. More that you seemed to extrapolate that to all oils in your opinion piece.

    We do not know whether the OP is using AMSOIL Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil (prior to the above mentioned change to Mobil 1 Annual Protection), but I doubt it, given he uses the dealer.
     
    #13 dolj, Jun 30, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2017
  14. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    Agreed, oil companies can do this but they sell less oil so few of them push it. Even Mobil 1 is upping the ante on longevity.

    Considering the fewer changes what appears to be 50 percent more expensive actually turns out to be much cheaper.... Especially considering the inconvenience.

    While many may be nervous at such a bold stance, I do encourage folks to try longer and send their results to Blackstone labs to test... You'll be surprised.
    http://m.blackstone-labs.com/
     

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  15. Dj3Dub

    Dj3Dub Junior Member

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    Once I do have the next oil change, I will have the oil test via Blackstone oil analysis kit. That should further assist in assessing damage??
     
  16. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    The test will show you if the existing condition of your oil when tested showed it was still protecting or if the additives were depleted.
    It can also show if damage has been done "if" they are analyzing the same oil that was in it when you ran it low.

    The analysis given by the techs are always interesting.

    You could include the info in post #1 when you send it in but the results of fresh oil since the occurrence are not likely to show damage incurred.

    For instance, we can analyze our blood for elevated levels of potassium & do a troponin test which measures the levels troponin T or troponin I proteins in the blood. These proteins are released when the heart muscle has been damaged.

    But if you had a blood transfusion then tested it would be a waste.

    If your engine didn't lock up you should be fine. "like my son's did from continuing to drive after warnings!"
    Toyota is good about keeping us out of the woods if we pay attention.

    I do recommend keeping "carrying" oil with you if your consumptive use becomes great bc if you're busy you may miss checking it and when you do it will be low... Without having oil right then to fill you may forget once more and you're done!
     
  17. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Answer: Malarkey!

    Tell your STEALership " I'm from Missouri, you'll need to Show Me", in the MANUAL, where TOYOTA recommends anything other than a 5k interval. They cannot.

    The single most overlooked CAUSE of elevated oil consumption on modern engines is the PCV valve, not wear.