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2 questions - transaxle oil and winter motor oil

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by trigga, Oct 6, 2011.

  1. trigga

    trigga New Member

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    I have a 05 Prius with around 190K miles.

    Question one I have never personally changed the transaxle fluid and don't know if it has ever been changed, should I change it? I have learned over the years that sometimes its better to leave things alone.

    Question two I run 5w30 Mobile 1 full synthetic oil. It's becoming winter time and getting in to the high 40s right now. Last year it snowed I live in upper SC. With my mileage what do y'all think about running 0w30? And just wondering how about running 0w30 year around.

    Thanks for any info
     
    #1 trigga, Oct 6, 2011
  2. Politburo

    Politburo Active Member

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    Should definitely be changed, just make sure to remove the fill plug first. There are detailed directions around here somewhere.

    Can't comment on the oil selection.
     
    #2 Politburo, Oct 6, 2011
  3. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    A 0W-30 will give you marginally better fuel economy while the oil is warming up and is also good for summer use. As long as you are using a decent synthetic oil, there is no reason to not use a 0W instead of a 5W oil.
     
    #3 xs650, Oct 6, 2011
  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    That's generally true on a conventional automatic trans, where the change process can stir things up, especially if a machine is used to flush it out. But on yours you should change it. Please consider sending off a sample for analysis and posting the results here.

    I run 0W20 year round.
     
    #4 seilerts, Oct 6, 2011
  5. trigga

    trigga New Member

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    Where would I send the sample of the transaxle fluid off to? Also why do you run 0w20?
     
    #5 trigga, Oct 6, 2011
  6. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    #6 2009Prius, Oct 7, 2011
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    At 190k miles an ATF analysis would be a waste of money. Just change it.
     
    #7 richard schumacher, Oct 8, 2011
  8. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    I disagree, as it adds to the collective knowledge base.
     
    #8 seilerts, Oct 8, 2011
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