Dealer oil change error

I too have had difficulties with the simple oil change being done properly.

Change 1 - I went to a superlube and they unnecessarily took off the entire skidplate instead of using the access panel. Not good, but kind of half expected from your local quick lube.
Change 2 -I went to the dealer and the bill stated 5w30 despite my having specifically requested 0w20
Change 3 - My wife took it in to the dealer, didn't specify the kind of oil and once again it stated 5w30. Why doesn't the dealer know what kind of oil the prius takes?
Change 4 - Took it in to the dealer and made a big deal with the service manager about using 0w20. Got it back and the bill stated they used 0w20, but my fuel economy dropped (and it was not overfilled) so I have to wonder.
Change 5 - Decided to give the dealer one last chance. They seem to have finally got it correct as the bill stated 0w20 and my fuel economy is back to normal.

Not sure what I will do next time as taking it to the dealer appears to be a bit of a crapshoot and 1 out of 4 is not good odds.

The only safe approach I can think of is to buy the oil myself and go back to my local quick lube with only 4 litres and top it up myself. This way I will actually be there, I can prevent them from removing the skidplate (or doing some other stupid thing), I can actually watch them put the oil in so I know it will be the correct kind, and I can prevent them from overfilling.

Sad that such a simple maintenance item cannot be dealt with properly.

 

So, I'm at the dealer right now, who listened to my concerns then advised me that for the 2010 Prius, Toyota Canada says either the 0W20 or the 5W20 nonsynthetic is acceptable...and the service manager says that for the summer months the synthetic is too thin and will cook. He says the only reason that the synthetic is recommended is for an additional 1% of increased mileage. When I mentioned about the life of my engine, he says that there would be no difference in the two types of oil...
I insisted on the 0W20 and had it flagged on my customer information!
Why do I have to fight for it with the dealer service manager
I realize he is trying to justify their putting in non synthetic oil for 4 of my 5 oil changes (only the first one was with synthetic)

 

There is no way Mobil 1 will cook off in the summer. That's exactly the opposite. Get in your car and never look back. Find a different dealer or somewhere you can trust without question.

Mike

 

I insisted on the Toyota synthetic...they have assured me that is what they will use...I said that I can't get my oil analyzed after each visit so I will have to trust them...despite the very questionable advice. Most of the dealers in my area I don't trust...they all seem to be about the same...its very frustrating!

 

Does he have a technical bulletin from Toyota justifying his position? Otherwise, what is he basing it on? Is he an engineer? Has he studied the internal operating temperatures and other operating parameters within the Prius engine? No? Sorry, the sarcasm is not directed at you but at my frustration with my personal experience with all this.

If he is wrong, the results won't likely show for years, long after the car is off warranty. I don't have my manual in front of me at the moment, but I'd go with the Toyota recommended oil weight.

 

I agree...I don't believe a word of what he is saying! I feel your frustration! I am extremely frustrated that between Toyota Canada and the dealers, no one can get their story straight. Toyota Canada passes the buck off to the dealers, 'saying, they know the cars best, as they service them',....and the dealers try to get away with whatever they can to squeeze as much money out of you (which is why I am confused as to why they are not pushing the synthetic oil???)

 

my dealer screwed up my car too,they put in close to 3-3/4 qts in , aired up my tires up to 32 lbs after i asked them to set it at 40-42lbs,they tightened my lug nuts past 120ft ibs,never will i use toyota for anything but warrenty work, dont trust them,it amazing these people get anyone in the service depts

 

Yes, I agree. Most likely my last visit here. When I spoke to Toyota Canada today I mentioned to them that I buy Toyota for the quality, but their dealers service is anything but...

 

These "advisers" are usually a pain in the arse to deal with, they are know it alls. I remember talking to an adviser and he noticed that I lowered my car and he starting lecturing me about how I'm ruining my tire prematurely by "slamming" my car...hahaha...they assume every customer that walks in to the dealership are a bunch of idiots and what they say is verbatim.

 

Pathetic, just pathetic! Dishonest, apathetic and inept dealerships still get away with this crap in 2012. We have the most technologically advanced mass produced cars ever built- but the bar is set by the lowest paid oil change monkey at the dealership who's probably pissed that you have a new car and he doesn't!

In the end...
- If you're a home owner with a driveway- and you're physically fit/able to perform the oil change- do it yourself- and be 100% certain that your Prius has the correct type and amount of oil in it.

- Apartment dwellers- around here some apartment dwellers choose a non-busy parking lot and do their maintenance tasks there. I've seen everything from waxing, windshield replacement, oil changes to brakes, belt replacement, water pumps, stereo installs, and even a cylinder head being replaced in our local parking lot. How long does it take to do an oil change on a Prius?

 

I will try to learn to do my own oil change...there is an excellent youtube video but it is not for the 2010 prius, its for an earlier one I believe....hopefully not too many differences and I will be able to follow it...

 

You'll be fine. The first one on a new car is always the slowest. You'll be a pro after the second one and even faster when it is winter; if you drive your car year 'round

My Prius will sit in my garage all winter so I only have to freeze my butt off changing my SUV's oil around Jan or Feb :madgrin:

Mike :tea:

 

Usually, you return the oil to the place you purchased it.
buy at Costco, return at Costco buy at Advanced Auto Parts return ETC>

 

Yup, competing priorities, and the winter weather.

 

With the 2010 and 2011 Prius how many quarts of oil does it hold to be full? I thought it was 4.4. If so, should you request 4 or 4.2 to be safe from not overfilling?

 

4.4 qt. w/filter change
4.1 qt. w/o

I always just put in 4 qt. - ends up between the high and low dipstick marks.

 

Thank you. Sounds like a good plan.

 

Most of the things the dealers do to your car at oil change won't kill it. Some will. But the biggest thing is that you're getting screwed, either way. It's good when you find a dealer or oil change place that you can trust, but you must still check their work for errors.

Changing oil is very easy. There aren't but a few things required. The doing of it can be studied on web videos or from the instructions on oil changes you'll find on PC. I wrote one up in the C section (pardon the pun.)

Some options are to seek out a place where you CAN work on your car. Hobby shops sometimes have auto sections. Local service stations may sometimes lend a hand or a stall if there is one empty and you have a few extra bucks. Explain your concerns to the owner or manager, maybe they can assist or let you watch as they perform. Find someone who can help you from work or from the neighbor hood. I've taught several young people how to do basic car maintenance. Even the teenage girls yell "GIRL POWER!" when they get done with their first change and see how easy it really was.

Above all, be confident. Learn, do. Ask for help when you need it, and be bold when you have a plan and seek a good end. Actually, that's good in everything in life. Be bold. Be knowledgeable. Be confident.