1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

What does your oil look like after 5000 miles?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Preeeus, Jul 11, 2018.

  1. Preeeus

    Preeeus Member

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2014
    255
    59
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    We're curious... what does your engine oil look like (on the dipstick) after 5000 miles since your last oil change?

    Is it still clear, or is it fairly dark?
     
    #1 Preeeus, Jul 11, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2018
  2. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I don't have a prius anymore, but I've owned 3 Prii in the past. The oil color was always fairly dark. Definitely not pitch black, more of a darker brown
     
    Preeeus likes this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    mine is so clear, i can't see it on the dipstick.
     
    qettyz and Preeeus like this.
  4. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2008
    2,763
    2,250
    13
    Location:
    Chesterton, Indiana Another third world country.
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Mine always looked clear even at 100,000 miles and never used any either.
     
    Preeeus likes this.
  5. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2012
    1,555
    659
    0
    Location:
    Central MO
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    II
    dark when it comes out of the oil pan
     
    Preeeus likes this.
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,481
    38,108
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Good point, and I agree. The oil on the dipstick when I drain ours (after maybe 4~5000 kms only) still looks like new, but a jarful of the stuff tells a different tale: black as ink.

    On the other hand, with a couple of conventional cars I also change the oil on, it looks black as ink on the dipstick, lol. That's typically with around 8~9000 kms though.
     
    Preeeus likes this.
  7. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    5,884
    3,486
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    There's supposed to be oil on the dip stick? :)
     
  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Here’s a pic of our 2010 with 182 k miles on it (2500 miles on this oil):

    2223D3CB-8ADB-4EDF-A328-D220A2DA2DCE.jpeg

    Not too bad(y).
     
    bisco, m.wynn, Grit and 3 others like this.
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Hope Mendel sees this photo, he said his oil after 5k looks as clear as it was put in when new. Obviously it was an overstatement by him :p
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  10. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    NO WAY!!!
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,481
    38,108
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Huh? Maybe on the dipstick, definitely not the drained oil. I've posted this before. New, Toyota 0W20:

    upload_2018-7-12_20-37-38.png

    And drained, after maybe 4000~5000 kilometers:

    upload_2018-7-12_20-39-0.png
     
    mtl, icyrius, bisco and 3 others like this.
  12. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,103
    4,032
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Mine always coffee brown dark, & not oil burning either. dont even believe people when they say after 12000 or 15000 miles its still clear as it was first dumped in, i want real pictures before and after. the wine is soo kicking in now
     
  13. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,642
    1,133
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Clear, with a light yellowish tan tint, as seen on the dipstick. Before about 2000 miles, it's so clear it's hard to see.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    look like a couple of craft brews!(y)
     
    Raytheeagle and Mendel Leisk like this.
  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    That must be his retirement hobby:whistle:.
     
    bisco likes this.
  16. OptimusPriustus

    OptimusPriustus Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2021
    308
    130
    1
    Location:
    Finland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Rhetorical question, right? Gen 3 Prius has automatic oil renewal system (special piston rings allowing oil to escape) and in my case it’s 10% per 1000km:ROFLMAO:
     
    bisco likes this.
  17. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    2,642
    1,133
    0
    Location:
    Northwestern S.C.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    My oil renewal system isn't working so well. How can I fix it?
     
  18. OptimusPriustus

    OptimusPriustus Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2021
    308
    130
    1
    Location:
    Finland
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Extend OCI and it’ll activate(y)