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My New Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by zoomx7, Aug 22, 2006.

  1. zoomx7

    zoomx7 New Member

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    Hello All,
    It's great to have a forum like this available!
    Last month I took delivery of my new baby.
    It's a bouncing Barcelona Red Prius w/ Gray interior.
    Package #3 (Had to have that MP3-disc playing audio system!)
    Toyota All Weather Mats.
    GT Seatcovers (for the front).

    YEE-HAH!!!
    I love this car!
    I haven't been this happy about a new car, like I am with this one, in many, many years.
    Can't quite put my finger on it but, there just seems like something special about driving around in a Prius.
    And this time, (after 3 aborted sales attempts since Feb. 06), this sales experience went well, ...but thats a whole other story.

    So I'm ready to post my first question regarding oil filters. Not sure if I can do it here but, I just need to know if anyone knows (FOR SURE) if there are any reasons not to use the larger Toyota filter (I forgot the #), over the filter specified for our cars. I'd like to be sure there aren't any differences in pressure or flow etc., etc., which would make me stick to the filter number specified for our cars, by Toyota.
    Just changed my oil & filter for the first time last week @ 1000 miles. After researching this forum and elsewhere, for a few hours, I realized I made a mistake in using a Fram (yikes) filter! ...(I didn't know, my little Prius, ...HONEST!)
    Now, I'm thinking of dropping the oil again in another 1000 miles so I can junk that Fram filter. Or maybe I'll just crawl under the car and swap out the junk filter for a real one, to fix my mistake. (Any thoughts on this are welcome).
    I thought about using Mobil 1 filters but they're priced too high. Purolator Pure One filters seem like a good choice, or I may just go with the Toyota filters.

    OK.
    Gotta go.
    See ya all.

    and...
    Danny...thanks for the "Welcome" sign.
     
    #1 zoomx7, Aug 22, 2006
  2. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Welcome to Priuschat and congrats on your new Prius.
    I use the Purolator filters or Fram, whichever is on sale at the local autoshop. I don't mess with odd-sizing filters; I just go with what the listed number is.
     
    #2 TonyPSchaefer, Aug 22, 2006
  3. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    Congratulations on your new Prius and welcome to PriusChat. One thing to keep in mind with the Prius is that miles driven doesn't equate directly with engine wear, since the Internal Combustion Engine isn't powering each mile directly. I think you can leave the Fram oil filter in place to the 5K (warranty) mile mark with no damage. You can get genuine Toyota oil filters fairly cheaply from Metropn.com or on e-bay. And you know you can't go wrong with a Toyota filter... They use a fairly unique pleating pattern, not just the standard sine-wave fold.

    Yup, I love my car too!
     
    #3 Bill Merchant, Aug 23, 2006
  4. Jeannie

    Jeannie Proud Prius Granny

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    Welcome and congratulation!

    I'm totally ignorant about oil filters, so I can't give you any advice except "Enjoy your Prius".
     
    #4 Jeannie, Aug 23, 2006
  5. tmgrl3

    tmgrl3 Member

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    Ain't it grand!!

    This is such a wonderful spot for learning about the Prius and for getting ribbed and ......well....stick around...it's fun!! and informative.

    I'm already driving everyone nuts with all the new things I am learning about my Prius...a few people listen...and then...politely change the subject. More than they want to know.

    Don't know why they feel that way.

    terri
     
    #5 tmgrl3, Aug 23, 2006
  6. Rancid13

    Rancid13 Cool Chick with a Black Prius

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    Congratulations on your new Prius! And welcome to Priuschat!!

    So, got any pictures of your new baby yet? :D
     
    #6 Rancid13, Aug 23, 2006
  7. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    B) Yeah! Pictures!! We all love pictures of Prii!!
     
    #7 Rangerdavid, Aug 23, 2006
  8. zoomx7

    zoomx7 New Member

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    Hey thanks all,
    Gee, as a matter of fact, I just happen to have a few pix of the new baby.
    I'll have to get them uploaded soon.
    Thanks Bill, for the filter thoughts. I tried that address (Metropn.com) but it didn't work. Are there other places for deals on Toyota filters? Ebay seems to be hit or miss.
    Ok. See ya all.
    Gotta hop in the Prius and ride!
     
    #8 zoomx7, Aug 23, 2006
  9. rufaro

    rufaro WeePoo, Gen II

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    #9 rufaro, Aug 26, 2006
  10. tmgrl3

    tmgrl3 Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Aug 26 2006, 01:31 AM) [snapback]309724[/snapback]</div>
    I was wondering the same thing...they told me to bring car in at 5000 miles or six months so that will be six months for me since I drive about 500-600 miles a month.

    terri
     
    #10 tmgrl3, Aug 26, 2006
  11. zoomx7

    zoomx7 New Member

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    Yeah I know,
    But I dropped the oil because of old habits.
    And I'm kinda glad I did, 'cause believe it or not, the oil was a little dirty.
    I used dino oil for now (GTX 5w/30) & a Fram filter (which I corrected that mistake, and installed a PureOne filter @ 1090 miles).
    So I've got piece of mind for relatively small $.
    I'm think you can go longer for that first change, but now I, can sleep better.
    :)
     
    #11 zoomx7, Aug 27, 2006
  12. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    OOPS, a typo. the URL is http://www.metrotpn.com/

    I agree, no need to change oil until 5K miles, particularly since the ICE isn't running all the time.
     
    #12 Bill Merchant, Aug 27, 2006
  13. zoomx7

    zoomx7 New Member

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    and...
    FWIW...
    I cut open the Fram filter afterwards, & it looked fine.
    Having read all I did about Fram's filters, I just deceided to eliminate any (bad) possibilities.
    Overly cautious? Maybe.
    Peace of mind? ...YEAH! :D

    Good morning Bill,
    Thanks for the revised link.

    Time for beddy bye.
    'nite all.
     
    #13 zoomx7, Aug 27, 2006
  14. rufaro

    rufaro WeePoo, Gen II

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MyTFineCar @ Aug 26 2006, 09:50 PM) [snapback]310020[/snapback]</div>
    And I REALLY didn't mean it as any kind of attack...I started wondering if there was something newfangled I didn't know about.... :eek:
     
    #14 rufaro, Aug 27, 2006
  15. tmgrl3

    tmgrl3 Member

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    Thanks everyone!! It makes sense, Bill...about the ICE not running as much....so 5000 miles it will be, although I may do the 6 months check-up...

    terri
     
    #15 tmgrl3, Aug 27, 2006
  16. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    While some may have different ideas about the need for oil changes, since the Maintenance Manual calls for oil changes at 5000 miles or 6 months in the U.S., that's what you should do to maintain your warranty, even if excessive for maintaining your engine. Higher miles or longer intervals, even with some super oil, may well violate your warranty. In Europe, Toyota calls for much higher KMs and a year before changing, sure, but I'll just change the oil and keep my warranty intact, thanks.

    Terri, while you may not run the miles, in theory the oil sitting in your engine ages and loses components necessary to protect the engine. Change your oil every six months, at least for the first 36,000 miles/3 years.
     
    #16 Bill Merchant, Aug 27, 2006
  17. tmgrl3

    tmgrl3 Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Aug 27 2006, 05:08 PM) [snapback]310270[/snapback]</div>
    Thanks, Bill....I realized that with the warranty, I will need to do the time thing...but I also agree about changing the oil a bit earlier than 5000 miles even though ICE runs less...I used to change my oil and filter (have it changed) about every 3000 miles on my Camry...had it for 15 years with only 85,000 miles on it......so I'll just make my appointment at Toyota and bring it in and wait...no big deal.

    I'm very big on doing proper maintenance even though I don't do it myself.

    I just bought a tire inflator and tire gauge...so I'm really ready to rock 'n' roll!!

    Thanks again...I am learning so much here! (I was so thrilled with my 45 mpg on third tank...and today shot it down a bit with a trip to Outback...43.2...oh well...40-45 mpg for me will be quite good!!)

    terri
     
    #17 tmgrl3, Aug 27, 2006
  18. pirateprius

    pirateprius New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(terri @ Aug 27 2006, 06:01 PM) [snapback]310291[/snapback]</div>
    I don't drive very much either - very short commute and a few errands. I had the first oil change at 6 months which was well under 5,000 miles to comply with maintenance recommendations for the warranty.
     
    #18 pirateprius, Aug 27, 2006
  19. akperry

    akperry New Member

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    Quick question, what is the best way to clean the screen for the navigation system? thanks,
     
    #19 akperry, Aug 28, 2006
  20. rufaro

    rufaro WeePoo, Gen II

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(akp1220 @ Aug 28 2006, 09:58 AM) [snapback]310593[/snapback]</div>
    Quick answer: Microfibre cloth.
     
    #20 rufaro, Aug 28, 2006
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