any progress on the DIY oil change guide for 2010?

Looks like I will be the first to do an oil change on our 2010 Prius III with Navi.

I have over 4,600 miles and the indicator comes on when the car is started stating maintaince reminder.

I will be using Mobil 1 (0 X 20) synthetic motor oil. The filter will be genuine Toyota. I will put in 3.5 quarts at first and see were that is on the dip stick. Currently it is about 1/4 inch below the high mark.
Book states from low mark to high is I believe 1.7 quarts. Max capacity is 4.4 quarts (U.S)

I have a filter wrench that should work and my plastic ramps will clear the front end.

I am just a litte worried about the bolts I need to take off to gain access to the engine oil drain plug and filter., hope I can find them.

Alfon

 

I don't think they are bolts Alfon, take a look at Wayne's pictures. Just three push pins, no tools need.

Anxious to hear how it works out for you.

 

So, I am not a great mechanic but I have done my own oil changes on my 2003 VW TDI. There the lower engine cover to access the drain plug has screws, I believe 12 of them.

Now, with a push pin, you just push on the pin and the cover releases, and to install just place the cover back and push in on the pin?

Alfon

 

Click on the top picture in post 12 and take a look. I think they come out of the holes completely. I'm not sure if they are the kind you just push on or if you need to pull the little button down and remove them. I don't have a car yet or I would go look. Anyway I think once you get under there and see them it will become obvious.

 

Thanks for your help. I am looking at changing the oil this weekend by than our car will be at or over the 5,000 mile mark. The hard part will be trying to get the car away from my wife.

Also, no problems with the car. I noticed the gas mileage is improving a little. The last fill up netted 54.6 actual; guage displayed 57.0. But I believe the attendant did not stop the pump after the initail click and probably pumped in an extra tenth or two of gas.


This is based on reg gas with 10% ethanol.

In Oregon you can not pump your own gas.

Alfon

 

I assume it's the same as when I replaced the front turn signal & fog light bulbs. There was a panel on each side that's secured by a philips head screw, and a plastic pin fastener. You use a flat head screwdriver to pull out the center of the connector, which disengages it. To reinstall you insert the fastener in the hole, and push the center "pin" in, which reengages it.

 

Well, it will probably be easy than I think once I get under and take a look at the cover.

Thanks guys

Alfon

 

What kind of wrench is used to remove the filter?

 

Something like this one http://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Oil-Filter-Wrench-Assenmacher/dp/B000W1R492 is best.

Wayne

 

I'm considering doing my own Oil change.

How much is the initial cost ? I do have to buy a ramp and a wrench right ?

My drive is a inclined a little bit. Does it really matter to have a level ground to do the oil change?

I do have my local tire shop do the oil on my other car. Should I trust them to do my Prius too?

BlackBerry 9930 ?

 

I prefer to take the whole panel off. It's a bit more hassle, but improves access and saves stress on the flap hinge. OTOH, somebody was saying the latest panels are thicker, or the hinge radius is greater, something like that.

Also, for jackstand placement, I like to use the underbody "rails", instead of the rocker panel edge, which seems really thin. Here's a pic, looking from the driver's side. The near cloud is the rocker panel bearing point, and the far cloud my preference:

 

Use the search button and you will find a few DYI oil change guides for the 2010 Prius. This one of the best.

Oil Change 2010 Prius - do it yourself | PriusChat

 

And there's this.