Some observations after doing my own oil change on the Prime

I just finished 30K mile oil change after first two oil changes by Toyota Care. I used Toyota OEM 0W-20 oil this time.

Has anyone try using 0W-16 now available under Mobile 1 brand name? If so, do you see any difference in mpg?

 

What is required to convert to A SPIN on oil filter on my 17 prime Advanced.
Thanks

 

I would look at the Toyota parts explodo and see which parts are different. I recall it's just the adapter/bracket at the engine block.

 

There was a thread with parts list and step by step conversion photo. Let me see if I can find it.

Edit: not for PRIME or Gen 4, but here is one thread SPIN ON, SPIN OFF!! | PriusChat

 

Here's the go-to thread:

Oil Filter Conversion | PriusChat

FWIW, I've changed the oil filter on our 2010 maybe 17~18 times now, no problems. Cool thing you can do if it's just the paper element being changed: cut one pleat then uncurl and compress it, like a closed accordion bellows. Then put it between the jaws of a vice, and compress it. I've read you can pretty much wring ALL the oil out of it, and are left with near-dry paper.

You'd want some strategy for avoiding the oil going all over your vice; maybe mount it with the jaws vertical?

I might give this a try next time, lol.

 

That vice looks seasoned.

Definitely not it’s first rodeo .

 

A little oil doesn't detract from my vice at all.

Maybe I'll go get a vise and squeeze some out of something.

 

Interesting. I am not sure about US PRIME model, but there has been a rumor that Japanese Gen4 Prius are factory filled with 0W-16 and current Gen4 actually recommends the use of 0W-16. It was not widely available until recently, and ones on the market were very expensive. Mobile 1 0W-16 now available at Walmart changed that. It is the same price as 0W-20 and cheaper than the Toyota OEM. I am not sure of the use of thinner oil on the longevity of the engine, but if it is good enough for regular Prius, it should be even better on PRIME with less engine use. I just wanted to see if anyone has tried it yet.

 

Well, I just finished my 30K change. I won't need to change oil for at least 8 mo.

 

Most wear happens when the engine is cold and the oil is too viscous. Once the engine is warmed up, oil is continuously pumped, and lower viscosity oil is easier to pump. But when it's cold, oil is much more viscous (no matter what grade), so oil is not able to be pumped to places that need it as quickly.

Also, the specs on the Mobil 1 0W30 are kind of weird. The viscosity at 40C is actually slightly higher than their 5W30, and the viscosity index is lower. I see no reason to use it instead of 5W30 (but I could be persuaded otherwise if anyone has a good reason). I normally use 5W30 in my 4runner.

 

Use what the manufacturer specified. They build the car and tested it with that oil specification.

 

The thing is PRIME in the US has 0W-20 as manufacturer specified oil. The same car Prius PHV in Japan has 0W-16 as manufacturer specified oil. The reason I heard was that at the time 0W-16 oil was not widely available in the US, but it is now.

 

And the Australian Owner's Manual recommends one oil (0W20 I think), but also displays a wide gamut of different weights, in a temperature range chart.

 

Use what the manual specifies, at least until the warranty is expired. Easy out for any manufacturer to deny a warranty claim because you used an oil not specified for that vehicle in your application.

 

Yap, I will be out of warranty for my next oil change at 40K. I used genuine Toyota 0W-20 oil and genuine Toyota ATF-WS at 30K.

 

3.5 qts used. Buy 4 qts, you will be good to go.