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Best oil for a Prius with 250k?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Banksy, Feb 26, 2020.

  1. Banksy

    Banksy Active Member

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    I generally use mobile one high mileage, but was curious if there's anything you'd recommend for a Prius with 250k on it.

    Looks like the oil was changed recently, but I'm unaware of what was used

    Just got this Prius and am unaware of the service history.
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Having used high mileage oil, I would stick with it. It's distinction is ingredients to swell rubber. If you stop using it rubber seals may shrink, leak a lot.
     
  3. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    +1.

    One presumes that the vehicle was well taken care of.
    Keep making sure all of the filters and fluids are topped off (check oil more often at first.)

    Good Luck!
     
  4. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    OK...but if I'm reading the OP's post correctly he's NOT saying he's used high mileage oil in this Prius, because he just got it. He's saying he's generally used it in other vehicles in the past.

    He's unaware of what has been used in this Prius.

    In which case?
    I might do the ol-enter the Vin Number at the Toyota website and see if I could track down past maintenance information and determine what oil has been used.
    Or I would simply assume the recommended Oil weight was used and try it upon the next oil change...look for leaks or problems.
    OR....you could just use the high mileage Oil, the vehicle certainly meets high mileage standards, and go on.
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Good points, in partcular that he's maybe not put any sort of oil in his new prius yet.

    High mileage oil is a somewhat deceptive product, basically saying "you've got high mileage, this is the oil for you". But really, all it does is swell rubber. Which isn't always swell... :ROFLMAO:
     
  6. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    I have 2006 with 211k miles. I am now using Shell Rotella straight 40W. It reduces blow-by and it appears to have increased mpg slightly (say 3/10 to 1/2 mpg). Just my two cents ("$0.02").

    Link to TSC/Shell 40W: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/shell-rotella-t1-sae-40-engine-oil-1-gal

    PS I am using a 3500 mile oil change interval (rather than the factory 10k mile interval). I use Toyota oil filters and drain plug gaskets. And, I have added an after-market drain plug with neodynium magnet.

    PPS Toyota oil filter part number: 90915-YZZF2
    Available on ebay from Toyota dealer for $16.50 for five ("5").
    I believe my purchase was from Conicelli Toyota.

    Toyota drain plug gasket part number: 90430-12031
    92 cents each if bought on ebay in 10 pack.
    $1.13 each from local Toyota dealer.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I can't see straight 40 weight oil improving mpg, but if it works for you...
     
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  8. ydpplqbd

    ydpplqbd Active Member

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    My theory on the slight mpg improvement is that reduced blow-by and increased compression is attributable to the straight 40W. In turn, reduced blow-by and increased compression cause the motor to be more efficient. Once again just my theory.
     
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  9. Banksy

    Banksy Active Member

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    Since owning this vehicle I have not changed the oil.

    I do not know what's in it currently all I know is the last one had been done a week before I got it at some oil change spot.

    If assume the used the proper 5-w30. I was told it's a synthetic blend.

    As for the gaskets swelling using high mileage oil... I have no idea. The filter looks new so I'm assuming this actually had the oil changed.

    I'm tempted to put mobile one high mileage however the last car Im just not sure what to use at this point.
     
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I guess step one is just monitor oil level, till next oil change.
     
  11. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    It's too bad you don't know for sure what is in it now, or what has been used in the past.
    I'm of the school of thinking that say's if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Which in this case means if the regular recommended weight oil has been used, and IS working? I wouldn't suddenly change to a high mileage oil.

    That being said, isn't Mobile One High Mileage Oil available in the recommended weight?
    If that's the case, then you are just changing to an oil that is the right recommended weight, but with extra additives designed to possibly aid a higher mileage engine.
    Can't see where that would hurt on an engine with 250,000 miles on it. It definitely meets the definition of being a high mileage engine.
     
  12. Banksy

    Banksy Active Member

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    I'm not referring to the weight.

    I'm referring to what brand and type should I use from the brand

    I don't want to go to a different weight.
     
  13. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Yeah, never said you did want to change weight. Mobile One is a high quality respected brand, you'd be using the recommended weight, and with 250,000 miles on your vehicle I think you can easily define it as high mileage.

    So my recommendation is go ahead....use it.
     
  14. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    You don't really need to agonize over the brand. Use one you know and respect. Mobil, Castrol, Shell, Valvoline, RedLine, etc

    Just make sure it meets API SL (or better), ILSAC GF-5 (the owner's manual says ILSAC multigrade engine oil) or SAE 5W-30.

    Personally, I prefer to use full synthetic but synthetic blend should be ok too. FWIW, the Toyota oil is a synthetic blend.

    In relation to using high milage, I wouldn't try and fix what ain't broke, so if you have no reason to need to use HM oil, then don't. Once you start there is no going back to regular.
     
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  15. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Mobil’s guide shows Mobil 1 Annual Protection as their first recommendation, Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage as second, and although Mobil 1 High Mileage is listed, it is NOT ILSAC rated on purpose:

    “No, we chose not to, to specifically address the protection needs of older vehicles with more than 75,000 miles.”
     
  16. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Funnily enough, I don't consider a Prius with 75,000 mi to be old.
     
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  17. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I woukd stick with m1 and move up to a 10-40 because at that mileage the car eats oil it’s just a question of how much.

    Check the oil every few days if you drive alot and check the oil first thing in the am before starting the car as a lot of oil is stored in the oil driven cam vane for vvt. Takes a while for that oil to drain back to the pan

    You run the engine out of oil it will lunch the motor. We see that on this forum all the time.

    The other thing to watch out for is the hybrid battery health. It’s not a question of the hybrid failing in a g2 it’s just when.

    Use the search forums tab up top and search

    Hybrid battery

    And see what we are all going through or what really all of us are going to go through, I’m on the 3rd year of Prolong battery charging with my 07.
     
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  18. roccostud

    roccostud Junior Member

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    supertech high mileage full synthetic 5w30 seems to be better than conventional for my car that tends to use oil.