Oil change timing

I drive a G3, and mine is a 'service reminder' instead of an oil change reminder.

If you're familiar with the schedule of maintenance on the car and you're up to scratch with your maintenance items, then just reset the reminder and drive happily on.

Good Luck!

 

And it trips at 5K because that is the recommended tire rotation interval.
I "compromise" with mine and do both at about 7K........or until my wife gets upset with seeing the light all the time.......which ever comes first.

 

The "free" maintenance from the Dealer will have you coming in at 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. for me it will be the 6 months. I'd rather get the first change done as early as possible anyway.

 

tire rotation, fluid top up and inspections. brake inspection is essential as miles add up.

 

You're free to do an oil change sooner, or whenever. For another perspective, Toyota Australia is saying 6 months or 10,000 kilometers (whichever comes first) for 4th gen Prius oil and filter change:

http://toyotamanuals.com.au/docs/prius-50-series-warranty-service-booklet-nov-15-current/

Toyota Canada says 6 months or 8,000 kms for 3rd gen, and I believe with 4th gen have gone to the US schedule: 12 months or 16,000 kms.

Have the Canadian Prius engines become twice as bullet-proof, 3rd gen to 4th gen, while Australia lags behind? Or is it mostly smoke-and-mirrors.

 

A bit of both down here:


Hyundai & KIA - brother companies - the small SUV from Hyundai has 12 month, 10,000km service (& 5 yr warranty), KIA's equvalent has 12 month,15,000km services (& 7 yr warranty).

 

And it's the same vehicle I assume, perhaps apart from some cosmetics?

 

When I looked at them 2 years ago, there were detail differences, but essentially the same chassis, wheelbase and, I was told most drive-trains were shared.

2 months ago, GM brand (Holden) announced a 7-year/175000km warranty across its entire range for vehicles sold in 2017, up from only 3 years. Rumours have that it could be an ongoing feature.

 

I do it every time. Cheap MX for a car. However make sure they change the filter if you can.

 

RX, like medicine?

It's pretty much impossible to check for filter change, 3rd gen onward. Or even if there is one.

Best odds are with DIY, and for me even that's iffy, lol: a couple of times I've just caught myself, about to reinstall the housing sans filter.

 

Can't do that without a lift at my age. Last oil change was way too quick so I suspect they are cutting corners. Should take it to an independent shop once a year and have it done where I can watch.

 

Oil change is about the only thing I can do these days.

 

That, & OCC, right?

 

Nah, you're usually good for solid advice on here!

 

I noticed the oil in my 2008 Prius never looked dirty after 5000 miles and am undecided yet when I will get it done, especially the first one. I doubt it will have 5000 miles on it by summer.
We travel a lot in our 1999 Plymouth Prowler, a totally different car than the Prius. Lol

 

LOL. The high cost of "free."

Why burn time, gas and patience by going to the dealer for a sales pitch when you can do most the maintenance in less time than it takes to do it yourself?

As well as the possibility they won't do a proper job:

• Forget to change the filter
• Use a cheap "bulk" oil
• Overfill/under-fill the oil
• Over torque the lug nuts
  
• Forget to tighten one or more lug nuts
• Forget to use proper pattern when tightening lug nuts
• Improperly rotate the tires
• Improperly inflate the tires
  
• Over torque the oil filter
• Forget to change the crush washer
• Forget to change the O-ring on the oil filter
• Over torque the oil drain plug
• Scratch the paint with tools
• Scratch the paint with automated free car wash
  
• Use pliers rather than a wrench
• Forget to reinstall oil filler cap
  
• Forget to reinstall the access door
• Forget to reinstall all three screws on the access door
  
• Drill a hole in the access door "to make it easy the next guy/time."
  
• Grease stain the seats, steering wheel, paint
• Improperly install the wheel covers ("see ya!")
• Chip the wheels with the impact gun
  
• etc., etc.

 

Judging Oil condition on the dipstick, it'll look a lot cleaner than a jar of the drained. That's not to say it's spent, but food for thought.

I buy bulk Toyota 0W20, cheap. It's the same stuff as the bottled, just avoids pointless oil-soiled bottles and more expense, shipping hassle.

 

This is an ongoing discussion. When the oil comes from the bulk system, it is whatever was put into the bulk container. Now, if that was a new, sealed drum with Toyota Motor Oil painted on it, no problem (as long as you see it pumped out of the drum). Otherwise you don't know unless you test a sample.

Now when I bought my car from a local dealership, the salesperson, the manager and the finance people all told me I did not qualify for 0% financing. When I got to my feet and started for the door, the story changed. All of a sudden, I did qualify! Am I going to trust that dealer to have an opportunity to possibly play me on the bulk oil? No way! YMMV.

 

Yeah, I guess trust is the operative word.