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Oil change interval...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by socal13, Mar 13, 2019.

  1. socal13

    socal13 livin in the foothills...

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    I have 42000 mi on my 2013 Persona... I have gone 4000 mi in 7 months. Do you think I should change the oil (and get a tire rotation too)? Also, my 2015 Avalon has only 11000 miles and I have gone only 1500 miles in the past 7 months. Oil change due to over 6 months? Thanks for advise.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I do similar miles and change it every spring.
    Keep your eye on the 12v health with that kind of driving
     
  3. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Once a year or 10k miles, whichever comes first.

    I try to rotate the tires every 5k miles.
     
  4. socal13

    socal13 livin in the foothills...

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    I just got a new 12v battery after six years.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Your probably fine on the Prius, but the Avalon must sit a lot. Much bigger battery though?
     
  6. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    ...if you filled with 0W-20 last time.
     
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  7. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    It still surprises me that any member here, knowing full well about the 3rd Gen Prius having known oil consumption issues and no tolerance to low oil events, would stand by and endorse Toyota's "minimum" OCI recommendations.
     
  8. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    My ‘14 iQ manual notes to use a higher weight in increased load/higher stress operating conditions. Since the first number is more for cold start I was thinking 0W-30. Thoughts?
     
  9. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    What is your evidence that the oil consumption issues are caused by not changing more frequently? That's a common assumption, but I have yet to see a good explanation.
     
  10. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    That's true. The higher mileage ones do burn-up oil and needs to be refilled after a while. I agree the 10k / 1 year interval is a bit excessive and pushing it. The longest i'll push my prius is 6 months. But I spoil mine and change it every 4 months lol. I do live in Michigan where the weather and temps changes drastically.
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah but maybe you're conflating the frequency of oil change with oil check?

    I'm firmly in the change it early/often camp, no ambiguity there. But still, if you very regularly check your oil, oil consumption is not going to bite you. Still, it's that "if" that bites a lot of owners...
     
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