Oil change - why the difference?

US oil quality standards are poorer than those in Europe, and Toyota spent a lot of money in the 1990s replacing V6 engines damaged by "sludging".

Where does Toyota state that US drivers may go 8000 miles between changes if synthetic oil is used? That would be welcome.

 

Because we are stupid and don't care much about the environment. It's a typical U.S. view on anything: More is better, and too much is perfect. The short oil change interval is historical, back when oil and engines were not as good. It also comes from the litigious nature of the U.S. consumer. No car company wants to be blamed for recommending too long of an oil change interval. There is no down side to Toyota for recommending a short oil change interval, but there is a risk to going to long. This way they avoid a law suite and their dealers get to make more money on service that isn't really needed.

Tom

 

Majority of certified auto mechanics that I know who had replaced rod bearings on vehicles recommend changing oil at specified intervals for the vehicle to prevent such damage and prolong engine life. For a diesel engine, I would expect at least 300K to 400K on the engine or perhaps more.

 

Oh please, you can expect just as long a life out of EU cars running 24 month, 30,000 mile oil change intervals!

The magic, wonderful API allows an oil to "pass" if: it thickens +100% in use, allows cold stuck rings, cold black sludge, and a Gellation Index of 12, running an interval ONE THIRD of the ACEA EU test regime

Go to the EU and mention you want to change your oil every 3,000 miles, they'll have you committed

 

I totally agree! Engines and oils are much better than they were back in the 60's, when the 3,000 mile oil change rule came about. Now 3,000 mile oil changes are just a waste of money and good oil. If you want to change something, fearing dirty oil, then change out the oil filter every 3,000 miles.

 

Selling oil is profitable!

 

Can you change the filter in the Prius without changing the oil? Is it easy to change the oil in the Prius?

Many years ago, Consumer Reports did a study of NYC taxi cabs and measured engine wear when oil was changed every 3000 versus every 7500 miles. They found no difference. Given advances in oil and engines, even 7500 is probably too soon. But I would go with the manual just to be safe.

 

I should stop responding to Prius engine oil threads, but it is my personal oil addicition!

Prius was introduced in the US with 7500 mile oil change intervals on American (low-spec) engine oils. Later, Toyota changed their whole fleet OC interval to 5k based on sludge problems with a different engine.

It may be that 5k is too short for the Prius engine even with low-spec oils. However, shops that change oil may use (even worse) barrel stuff. Ask Jayman about that!

Perhaps a more sensible approach is to use American synthetic oils, because they won't varnish your engine. If you do use synthetic, you can consider longer OC intervals. Based on many used oil analyses, group IV or hydrocracked group III "synthetics" are probably OK in Prius for 10k miles.

The best is if you can pay $30 for UOA in *your Prius*. Then you'll know. TBN will probably be getting low after 10k. If you have UOA for your car, you will be able to determine an optimal OC interval and will know if anything else is going wrong in there.

DIY oil changes with synthetic and UOA cost less than dealer-changes with conventional oil, and provide you with valuable info as well.

Sweetguy if you want to change the filter "early", cut the top off a right sized soda bottle, and use it as a twister-offer. It will catch most of the mess.

Filling new oil filters with new oil before installing them is good practice.

 

You can also use an oversized oil filter.

I know that the Purolater PL-20195 fits, I think that the mobil one M-203 fits as well. Compared to the stock filter, these are both huge.

 

Maybe someone should start a European Motor Oil inmport business.

 

I use Mobil 1 EP 5w-30.

American synthetic to European specs.

 

No need to. Locally, at Canadian Tire, they sell Castrol Syntec 0W-30. I'm not too impressed with the rest of the Syntec line, but the 0W-30 is actually made in Germany. It meets the very demanding ACEA A3/B3/B4 specs. Same price as the other Syntec oils, $8 a litre

A Canadian Tire subsidiary, Parts Source, carries Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula for the same price as regular Mobil 1, around $8 a litre. This oil meets a long list of ACEA and builder approvals for the EU 24 month/50,000 km drain intervals

Mobil 1 0W-40

As far as I can tell, this is the *only* Mobil product sold in North America to meet those standards. Not Mobil 1 EP, not Mobil 1 High Mileage.

I'm sure there are other products out there that have the same approvals. But the only API rating they have is SM, same as a generic motor oil costing 1/8 as much

The average motorist will only see the API Starburst and assume all oils are exactly the same. They will get confused by the notion of ACEA and various builder approvals. So why would they pay 5-8 times more for an oil?

They won't

 

Pretty much all the Mobil 1 meet the minimum ACEA A1/B1 spec, which is the lowest spec for a standard 12 month or 10,000 mile interval.

Some of the Mobil 1 oils, like EP, offer ACEA A1/A5 and B1/B5 specs. This specifically covers extended drains for up to 24 months or 30,000 km. Mobil 1 0W-40 meets the toughest ACEA specs, EP does not.

 

I would guess the average Prius driver in North America changes the oil at least every 6 months or 8,000 km. Probably a good number change every 3-6 months or every 5,000 km. Seriously!

Mobil 1 0W-40 is $8 a litre here. Using an online currency converter, $8 Canadian dollar is 5.32 Euros.

The environmental fees are quite high in the EU. They are very low or zero here in North America. For example, if I purchase 5 litres of Mobil 1, I will be charged an additional $1 "environmental levy"

 

American - and Canadian - motorists are so brainwashed I bet they would still change the oil every 5,000-8,000 km, even if the API was disbanded and only ACEA oils were sold

 

1st Oil change, Mobil 1 5W30, 1000 miles, New filter?

I have a new Prius with 800 miles. I want to send the oil in for analysis and change to Mobil 1 Synthetic soon.

Should I leave the original oil filter on ? I guess it may hold some old oil. Is it on real tight ?

I've run Mobil 1 for 20+ years and, even if nothing else, it provides superior protection in cold Canadian winters, IMO.

I'm planning to get back more into the wrenching I used to do with previous cars, and do all of the regular maintenance myself when possible. I.E. I'll do the fluids and tire swaps, but tire specialists with their special equipment do the balancing etc.

 

Re: 1st Oil change, Mobil 1 5W30, 1000 miles, New filter?

I guess I'm a bit confused. Do you intend to change the oil at 800 miles, or just sample it? I left the factory oil in for 8,000 km

Change the oil and filter together

There is no need for an early initial change in the Prius. Those operated in the EU run up to 16,000 km before the first oil change.

The exception is my FJ. For some reason the oil was already badly degraded after only 3,000 km, so I had it changed