Adding oil, what the manual says

So, with about 1" between the high and low marks, you're ~1/4" above the low mark. Still considered to be in the 'normal' range.
It all depends on your comfort level. I try to check my oil level at least weekly. If the level is at the 'halfway' point between the marks, I typically top it off. Oil is cheap. Engines are not.

Any time I'm getting ready for a longer than "typical daily" trip, I always verify the condition of the vehicle. This includes topping off all possible fluid levels.

Is the car in danger if you run it as-is? Probably not.

 

If you’re consuming oil, for sure start out with the oil at the top mark, and bring along a quart, funnel and a few paper towels, say in sturdy plastic bag.

The picture posted is generic? Prius owners manual says it’s 1.6 qt (1.5 liter) between the 2 pips on Prius dipstick.

 

Just make sure that if your car burns oil you're not running low by the time you get a chance to top off or get an oil change, or whatever.

 

As someone who started with a motorcycle the engine of which seized before it was ridden to my home by a “mechanic”, I would opine that the risk reward is not worth both not topping off your oil before your rare long trips and not carrying oil with you. Oil is cheap at Walmart and Costco

 

how is it more cost effective to change the oil every 800 miles?

 

Nothing more fun than driving 80 mph for hours and your really low on oil. Engines really love that. Especially Toyota engines with there low tension crappy rings.All so you don't have a to buy a quart of oil. Brilliant!

What could go wrong?

 

if you're replacing 4 quarts every 800, that means you're burning a quart every 200?

even at that high rate, you would have to tun the engine out of oil. so you must be burning a quart every 3-400 miles?

 

@C Clay what's the miles on it?

 

He's saying that he's getting an oil change in 800 miles, not that his car does or does not burn oil. Essentially if he's not low and he's not burning oil, he is wasting money by adding it now only to have it replaced in 800 miles.

 

LOL, i was thoroughly confused, thanks!

 

“The “engineer” on PriusChat. LOL!
That being said, you trust PriusChat over Toyota Engineers? As we used to say in Texas “Houston, we have a problem”

 

Yep lifetime fluid is what they also said.

 

Mine uses “Toyota Super Long Life Coolant”. No mention of “lifetime coolant” in any of the Toyota documents that came with mine, however, I do see it mentioned here a lot!

 

tranny fluid, not coolant

 

You've had it since new? If so, was the EGR system and intake manifold ever cleaned?

 

I don’t think it’s a good idea to run low on oil. Too much risk. A quart of oil is cheap and they sell it in resealable containers. The parts shop can give you a disposable paper filter. Check oil when the car is cold, before you drive it in the morning.

You’re at 265,000…. Your car is a senior citizen and you need to take care of her health if you want to keep her alive. You don’t need fancy expensive oil, just keep it topped up to stay safe. It worth the risk.