HELP Is my engine messed up?! Oil dry

Opinions are split, on putting anti-seize compound on the spark plug threads. I've always used a bit in the past, but I think plugs installed at the factory are without anti-seize. Some spark plug manufacturers say to not use it. And: putting a lubricant on the threads, you would want to reduce torque value, and by how much. Maybe best to not use it.

Things you should have:

1. The appropriate long socket, preferably a "spark plug socket" which has a rubber insert that grabs the plug. Second gen size is 5/8" or 16 mm.

2. Ratchet wrench extensions, say a 6" and 3".

3. A decent quality ratchet wrench, 3/8" drive is fine, or 1/2" with a reducer. A regular AND a long handle ratchet wrench combo is good: for tough to remove bolts the longer handle is very helpful.

4. Torque wrenches: for wheel lug nuts a 1/2" drive would typically be best, good to have. But for spark plugs, 3/8" drive will likely be better, have the torque range required.

5. Some sort of compressed air is good to have, to clear the spark plug wells of possible debris. Maybe. The wells may be spotless, but if you can get something, do, just in case. Even just a wet/dry vacuum that you can configure to blow, for example. A good tact is to slightly loosen the plugs, so they're slightly up, then blow air into the well.

Note: plugs nowadays (particularly the type spec'd for Prius) typically come pre-gapped, do not need adjustment, and should hold that gap for their lifespan. Manufacturers tend to caution against adjusting the gap, and cleaning should be limitted to gentle method, say old tooth brush and some carb cleaner.

I'll attach second gen Repair Manual spark plug section. It's much better than 3rd gen manual btw. The latter is garbage, info all over, not concise.

 

Of course, one has to go with what one feels comfortable, but things like anti seize should not scare you. It's just some goop to prevent sprk plugs to be "welded" to the engine head where they screw in. It's sold in your local auto store at the register in tiny packets for $1 enough to last for one or two jobs. There is absolutely nothing difficult or risky in replacing one's own spark plugs. It's one of the simplest jobs there is, really. In the Prius they are a bit harder to get to than usual, but nothing terrible. A set of right tools for the job will set you back $40 at most and then you'll own a bunch of decent tools. You will need a spark plug socket, a ratchet drive and an appropriate extension for the spark plug socket. I use a 3/8" ratchet with a 6" (maybe 8", I am not sure) extension. Call me crazy, but I do not use a torque wrench on spark plugs. I just get them hand tight to where they hit the initial limit and then give them 1/4 - 1/2 turn over that to crush the crush washer against the mating surface on the head. That is all. I do use anti-seize (sparingly!) on the threads of the plug as the engine heads are aluminum alloy and spark plug threads are steel of some sort. Dissimilar metals can chemically weld to each other sometimes and a tiny amount of anti-seize prevents that. As I said, a 20 minute job including a 5 minute coffee break. But again, if you do not feel comfortable with this, don't do it. Your comfort level in this case will cost $100 and that's fine.

 

There is no special "OEM" plug, manufactured by or for Toyota. Toyota has specified a spark plug for the car. It's a specific, off-the-shelf plug, same as the ones you can buy. I wouldn't second guess them; just get the spec'd. plug. Through the dealership they will tend to be more expensenive, and might come in a Toyota box with Toyota part number, but inside: it's the Denso or NGK plug.

This is from the 2009 Owner's Manual, page 465:



(Note, you can dowload pdf manuals online. Google "toyota tech info", go to the "manuals" section, and fill in your car info.)

 

Autozone here was offering a $10 gift card if you bought 4 NGK spark plugs last week, maybe that's still going. Laser iridium were between $8-9 each so it makes it as good a deal as anything online. I checked my plugs last week because a deal was right around the corner if they had needed replacing. Gift card would likely be enough for an air filter too.

 

Here are Denso spark plugs that are specified for your Prius on Amazon. Under $8 and free shipping. Go to Amazon and search the following:

Denso SK16R11 Iridium Spark Plug

Engine air filter requires no tools to replace. It's just four clips to pop the cover off, replace the filter (there is only one way it will go in) and pop the cover back on. That's a 7.5 minute job including a 5 minute coffee break

 

While you’re there and taking a coffee break, you could pull the dipstick, wipe it off, then check the level when done drinking coffee .

Not a bad multi-tasking opportunity .

 

Excellent advice!

 

Many people here, including myself, are using Fuely to keep track of our gas consumption. It's a web service that you set up for yourself and enter the numbers every time you fill up. Fuely does the rest. You can see in my signature I include a relatively up to date Fuely score. My MPG since I bought the car is close to 45 mpg. You can set it up so you can text Fuely right from the gas station the numbers and it enters them into your account for you. This is what I do. I just text them every time I fill up.

As for oil consumption, don't worry too much. What's done is done and all you can do now is hope it was fairly benign. My car has 190K miles on it. I bought last July with 175K miles on. It uses about a quart every 2K miles or so. Depends how much highway driving I do. I check the oil fairly often, but at least every 1K I never let it get too close to the bottom "low" indicator on the dipstick. I use full synthetic oil and add to maintain level between full and midway in between marks. I change the oil and filter every 10K miles. I do it myself and have been ever since I owned cars (around 16 years old). It's easy to do, saves money and gives you a chance to look things over under the car and under the hood. I am a big believer in maintaining my own car and really have very little trust in an average Jiffy Lube employee (or even a dealership employee).

Best of luck, I think you got away with a minor sin of letting the car run (almost) out of oil. It will be just fine.

 

This is the correct 2G Prius engine air filter:

Toyota SLLC is sold in gallon containers.

ATF WS has thinner viscosity than ATF T-IV. Use ATF WS only.

A Toyota dealer will probably charge ~$100 to $150 for brake fluid replacement. Do not buy the brake fluid if you have the dealer do the work. That is like bringing your own steak to the restaurant and asking them to grill it.

Your city may have hazardous household chemical recycling. Walmart and many auto parts stores will accept used engine oil for recycling.

Change the engine oil at 5K mile intervals and frequently check the oil level in between changes. Don't worry about the color of the oil.

 

Amazon sells Genuine Toyota oil filters for pretty reasonable price. I go with that myself.

In the state of Massachusetts, where I live it's the law that retailers selling motor oil are required to accept and recycle used motor oil. I bought one of those oil change receptacles sold in most auto parts stores (it's a flat reusable container that incorporates a funnel to accept used oil) for around $15 and that is how I bring my used oil back to the store I bought oil from and they take the container out back where they have a huge collection tank, dump the oil and bring back to me an empty pan which I take home and use next time. Had this particular pan for over 20 years now, I think.

You change oil based on mileage, not color. I believe Toyota recommends every 5K miles. I do 10K miles because I use full synthetic.

 

From my point of view transaxle fluid and automatic transmission fluid is the same. The coolant is listed separately.

 

You seem to be overwhelmed at the moment. I have found that it is best to tackle one of those jobs at a time if it is your first time doing it and by breaking it up into smaller pieces you won't be so overwhelmed.

 

Take it easy. Nothing in your car is urgent. Just take it one thing at a time and do not stress out about the car. It will be fine. Now you know what needs to be done and you have a plan to do it. So all is good. These cars are amazingly sturdy and take some measure of hard use. Many of them are used as cabs in cities like San Francisco and New York City.