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New 2015 Two owner - thoughts on lifetime oil changes

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by HiVisHornet, Feb 12, 2018.

  1. HiVisHornet

    HiVisHornet Junior Member

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    I am a first time Prius owner, and just purchased a very clean 2015 Prius Two, with 24k miles on it, from a local Toyota dealer.

    I typically don't bother with warranties that are offered, but I agreed to a lifetime oil change offer. I paid $500 and have 60 days to decline it for a full refund.

    The terms of the offer are oil changes no sooner than every 10k miles, and no more than two oil changes a year. The offer is good at any of 250 locations nationwide in my dealer's auto group.

    My driving requirements are such that I will be putting 20-25k miles a year on my Prius, and plan on owning it for quite a while. I will probably be driving it well into the 200k mile range. My initial thought was with the added cost of synthetic oil, and my annual mileage, its seemed to make sense.

    What is everyone's thoughts on these lifetime oil changes, specifically for a Prius? Are there some hidden "gotchas" I'm missing here?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    At more than 20K a year you will need some out-of-warranty oil changes.
    Do they specify that they must do them to keep the warranty valid? And at what price?
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just for reference, it costs me pennies over $30 (Canadian dollars) in parts to do an oil and filter change, including gross overcharge for the drain bolt washer:

    upload_2018-2-12_9-38-7.png

    Also, I couldn't abide someone dictating when I can get oil changes done, just not on.
     
  4. HiVisHornet

    HiVisHornet Junior Member

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    Thank you both for your replies.

    @Prodigyplace I do understand there may be times that I would need a 3rd oil change during a year which would not be covered. The changes are good at any of the 250 locations within my dealers auto group. The contract does not mention specific price, but thats a good question for me to ask. My belief is that the oil change is covered regardless of what the auto group is charging. Current price at my dealer's for a change was $69, which seems a bit outrageous.

    @Mendel Leisk The contract states every 10K miles based on what is manufacturer recommended. I could obviously get it done more frequently at any other time during the year on my own dime.

    Do either of you get your oil changed more frequent than at 10K?
     
  5. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    My dealer charges $100 for 2 Prius oil changes within one year. So $500 would cover 5 years/100,000 miles. If you really do keep your car for more than that, it seems like a pretty good deal. On the other hand, you will be locked into their network and they may try to up sell you on other services. If you don't do your own oil changes and if you plan to keep going to the dealer for service, it seems OK.
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah. The Canadian schedule (for 3rd gen, 4th gen is now inline with the States) is 6 months or 8000 kms (roughly 5000 miles), whichever comes first. I'm changing oil every 6 months, with kms around 4000~5000, if I'm lucky, lol. DIY it's pretty cheap.
     
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    The gotcha is they use crappy vat oil not 100% synthetic. Dealer oil change is the worst.
    They use the crap oil they don’t check it before they drain it and then they overfill it. You dont have
    SAE techs doing it they have min wage guys working on your car.

    You drive away thinking it’s dealer maintained lucky me. And never ever open the hood yourself again.
     
  8. Locksmith

    Locksmith Member

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    Hmm...mine says double that at 16,000km. I have looked for the maintenance schedule and can’t find one. Where did you get your info?
     
  9. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I was goung to direct you to the owners manuals here

    Owner’s Manuals and Emergency Response Guides - Toyota Canada

    But the supplement says to see your dealer :(

    upload_2018-2-13_7-28-21.png
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Thanks for the excellent link. The oil/filter change interval is spelled out in the supplement, that document actually covers every (Canadian) Toyota vehicle, which gets a bit cumbersome. But anyway, a snapshot:

    upload_2018-2-13_8-28-5.png
    This is the 2010 document. In a few years, maybe starting in 2012, the went to a graph format schedule, much easier to read.
     
  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I checked the 2017 supplement and quoted it above. I did not see any recommended maintenance. Check it out in the link I posted above,
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Huh, you're right. :confused:

    Just for giggles I took a look at the 2016 booklet, it doesn't even have that "please see your dealer" message.

    @Tideland Prius mentioned something about his paper version had the info, said the yearly or 16K kms for oil change, IIRC.
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Feb 13, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2018
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Here's the raw data, slightly paraphrased, and with the assumption that intervals continue to be 16K kms OR 12 months. Yeah, a really mishmash, I don't think it's possible to present in a less friendly format. Note the instruction to "check power steering fluid":

    Service #1 (every 16K or 12 months, commencing at 8K or 6 months)

    Check installation of driver's floor mat
    Reset Maintenance Reminder Light or system
    Inspect wiper blades, linkage and washers for proper operation1
    Inspect and adjust level - engine oil, brake fluid, engine/inverter coolant, power steering fluid and washer fluid
    Remove & inspect engine air filter2
    Remove & inspect cabin air filter3
    Check and record tire tread depth. Examine tires for damage and uneven wear
    Remove wheels & visually inspect brake pads, calipers, rotors, brake lines and hoses
    Rotate tires (applicable to same size wheels, front & rear) or alternatively perform seasonal tire change-over. 4
    Record inspection results, measurements and component condition on inspection form and/or repair order

    Service #2 (every 32K or 24 months, commencing at 16K or 12 months)

    Check installation of driver's floor mat
    Reset Maintenance Reminder Light or system
    Inspect all lights and horn for proper operation
    Inspect wiper blades, linkage and washers for proper operation 1
    Visually inspect drive belts
    Replace engine oil & filter (synthetic)
    Lubricate locks, latches and hinges
    Inspect and adjust level - engine oil, brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid, and washer fluid
    Remove & inspect engine air filter2
    Remove & inspect cabin air filter3
    Remove wheels & visually inspect brake pads, calipers, rotors, brake lines and hoses
    Check and record tire tread depth. Examine tires for damage and uneven wear
    Rotate tires (applicable to same size wheels, front & rear) or alternatively perform seasonal tire change-over. 4
    Inspect differential and transfer case vents for obstruction
    Record inspection results, measurements and component condition on inspection form and/or repair order

    Service #3 (every 32K or 24 months, commencing at 32K or 12 months)

    Check installation of driver's floor mat
    Reset Maintenance Reminder Light or system
    Inspect all lights and horn for proper operation
    Inspect wiper blades, linkage and washers for proper operation 1
    Visually inspect drive belts adjust tension if required
    Replace engine oil & filter (synthetic)
    Lubricate locks, latches and hinges
    Inspect and adjust level - engine oil, brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid, and washer fluid
    Remove & inspect engine air filter2
    Remove & inspect cabin air filter3
    Remove wheels & visually inspect brake pads, calipers, rotors, brake lines and hoses
    Remove brake calipers and/or brake drums. Inspect and measure brake rotors, drums, pads and shoes
    Check and record tire tread depth. Examine tires for damage and uneven wear
    Rotate tires (applicable to same size wheels, front & rear) or alternatively perform seasonal tire change-over. 4
    Perform 12 Volt battery service and comprehensive electrical charging system evaluation
    Inspect valve clearance (audibly)
    Check steering gear, linkage and shock absorbers for looseness, damage or leakage
    Inspect ball joints and dust covers, driveshafts, chassis nuts & bolts for looseness or damage
    Inspect fuel system for leaks or damage, inspect condition of fuel tank band, fuel tank cap gasket, fuel tank vapour vent system hoses, fuel lines and connections
    Inspect exhaust system for leaks, damage or broken hangers
    Record inspection results, measurements and component condition on inspection form and/or repair order

    Replace Engine and Inverter Coolant: 160K or 120 months, then every 80K or 60 months
    Replace Brake Fluid: every 48K or 36 months
    Replace Spark Plugs: every 192K or 144 months
     
    #14 Mendel Leisk, Feb 13, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2018
  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Wouldn't it be easier to just convert the US version?
    They this link
     
  16. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    If doing your own oil changes IS an option, consider the Mobil 1 Annual Protection. One oil change every 20k miles. Would be about 10 oil changes in 200k miles. Walmart carries 5 qt jugs at reasonable price and get the corresponding 20k mile rated filter....

    If not then the warranty seems a good deal....
     
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  17. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    The US maintenance says to change full synthetic oil & filter every 10K miles.
    I am not sure Walmart Canada sells that oil. I have taken Walmart Mobil 1 to my brother in Canada.
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've got a couple of reservations with the link. First, it's the US schedule, there are variations I'd suspect. Also, while it's complete, and just for Prius, it's in event-by-event format. A chart is what I'm aiming for, so you can see at a glance, what's involved and when. Here's a quick-and-dirty spreadsheet of the above "raw data". I've paraphrased a little, and ignore some of the purely mundane.
     

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    #18 Mendel Leisk, Feb 13, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2018
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  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    An oil manufacturer's recommendation does not supersede an auto manufacturer's. You would be voiding your warranty following that.

    There's no way I'd go that far between oil changes. I wouldn't even exceed 5000 miles, but that's another story.

    I don't mean to thunder, just being Dutch uncle, lol.
     
    #19 Mendel Leisk, Feb 13, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 13, 2018
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  20. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Good point about the warranty. That was a sloppy recommendation on my part and I apologize. So 10k mile oil changes until 60k ODO miles, then every 20k miles, assuming the 20 - 24k mi / yr stays the same for the OP.

    Mobil did tear down 3 engines and video taped one which looked impressive. You’re just chicken....

    I kind of wish we got more miles. Our ‘12 v has less than 20k at this point so I’m just banking that the AP oil provides better protection.... (If we did get 20k miles in a year I’d be more than happy to have a Blackstone test run on the used oil for you guys....)
     
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