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Oil changes

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by kilton, Feb 23, 2010.

  1. kilton

    kilton New Member

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    How often do you folks change your oil, and do you use regular or synthetic?
     
  2. toyolover

    toyolover Member

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    I'll stick to the minimum requirement by Toyota, not by the "Recommended Schedule" from the dealer. Oil and filters are made to last longer than decades ago. Over-doing it damage the environment. I use synthetic in winter and regular in spring/summer.
     
  3. radiocycle

    radiocycle Active Member

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    Welcome! I think you might want to do a bit of a search for your query. There have been MANY threads already started on this topic.
     
  4. walterm

    walterm Active Member

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    I just had mine changed for the first time @ 5,000 miles, and I'm expecting not to have to do it again until 15,000 (there's a thread elsewhere discussing Toyota's change to a 10,000 mile interval).

    If you have a 2010 the required oil is 0w-20, which is only available in synthetic.
     
  5. ALICASPIANI

    ALICASPIANI New Member

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    Every10000 Miles, 0W-20 Oil.
    If you mostly driving in freeway, use 0W-30 Oil.
     
  6. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    I change mine at 5K intervals and use regular oil.
     
  7. bagwell

    bagwell Active Member

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    you shouldn't switch back and forth....use one and stick with it.
     
  8. Blind Guy

    Blind Guy New Member

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    Be CAUTIOUS of the advice you receive here, you have gotten some good advice and some, well, not so good!

    The manual requires you use 0W20 Oil, and as was mentioned earlier, this is strictly a Synthetic Oil. Also, after much waiting, Toyota decided to update the Oil Change Intervals from 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Now be advised that your car will probably remind you at the pre-programmed milage of 5,000 miles, that it is time to change your oil, you may still want to take it in for Tire Rotation, which is recommended at 5,000 miles, but the Oil is not due to be changed until the 10, 20,30, 40 etc. thousand mile marks.

    It has also been noted here, that the software WILL NOT be updated (at this point) to reflect the new Oil Change Interval notification on your MID (Multi Information Display),so it will be your responsibility to remember that the Tire Rotations are EVERY 5,000 miles, and the OCI's are on the 10,000's.

    You will get MANY opinions on what mileage to change your oil at, you're the only one who can determine at what point you're comfortable with that OCI schedule.

    David ((aka Blind Guy)
     
  9. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    I have changed mine at 5K intervals but will now go to 10K or twice a year which for me will be about the same. I use Mobil 1 0W20, I seriously considered switching to 0W30 but decided to stick with the recommended 0W20.

    As previously stated the indicator will still activate at 5K intervals but it is very easy to reset:

    1. With the car on select Trip A with the Trip Button
    2. Shut the car off
    3. While holding the Km/h MPH Button in push the brake down and push the PWR Button to start the car in the normal manner
    4. Keep holding the Km/h MPH Button in and watch the display. It will tell you when it is reset, you can then release the Km/h MPH button.

    That's all there is to it.

    It should be mentioned that at the 5K intervals when you do not change the oil you are still expected to do the other maintenance that is listed.
     
  10. hsiaolc

    hsiaolc New Member

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    I change mine every 3000 - 5000 miles depending on the condition of the oil, and I use fully synthetic 0w20 oil. I don't follow the Toyota recommedation of 10,000 because thats just way too long for a oil change in my opinion, only put in place to compete with other manufactures in terms of cost.
     
    Tha_Stig likes this.
  11. samsprius1

    samsprius1 HEV Fanatic

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    I'm with you, I will do the same, only I will use a Toyota TRD Filter with synthetic media instead of paper,
    I think it's about an extra 5 bucks
    do my own oil changes,I just like to do it!!

    Scott
     
  12. Jim Clark

    Jim Clark Member

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    I had mine done at 5k but the service adviser said they would only do it on request as they had gone to 10k intervals. He said they use Mobil 1 which is good stuff. I think I'll do it myself at 10k and switch to Amsoil which is better and then do it every 10k. Been doing the 5k changes in our Lexus RX400h but the Lexus dealer is outrageously expensive. Think I'll also switch it to Amsoil and do it myself at 10k intervals.