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URGENT About to buy 2010 Prius IV with 73k miles original owner, Advice on problems and price?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by TheGrayt1, Oct 18, 2020.

  1. Attila Fekete

    Attila Fekete Member

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    Do you say that knowing that Prius had problems with clogged oil holes on the piston?
    By the way, the most wear happen on the engine when they are cold.
    High viscosity may be good or bad based on how the engine is designed. Newer engines definitely designed for more viscous oils.
    I don’t say 0w-40 is bad, it’s just not universally good for every circumstances.
     
  2. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    You seem to not want to accept the fact that Toyota states in the Australia owners hand book that 20 weight all the way to 50 weight is allowed. (n)
     
    #42 orenji, Oct 20, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2020
  3. Attila Fekete

    Attila Fekete Member

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    And doesn’t allow it in Canada and Europe.
    Maybe there is a reason behind.
     
    hill likes this.
  4. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Canada is close to the USA so they get the same versions of vehicles that the USA gets, so there gonna be following the CAFE standard. There are European countries such as Germany that allow for thicker oils and then we have South East Asian counties that are allowed for thicker oils. I have spent much time researching this and have determined that 0W-20 is not the best option for any car. I don’t know what else to say as you are having a hard time accepting the facts.
     
  5. Attila Fekete

    Attila Fekete Member

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    Even 10w-50 oil is listed in the manual. Why don’t use that?
    In Germany the 0w-20 is the preferred oil by the manual.
    A bit different, but the 1NR-FE engine used with 5w-30 for 125k miles makes the oil consumption go up to almost require engine swap. No problem using the preferred 0w-20.
    That has nothing to do with fuel consumption.
     
  6. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Because 0W-40 is better. 0W gives better start up protection.
     
  7. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I get what you're saying. Mobil 1 0W-40 is ubiquitous in the European car world all Mercedes AMG Porsche gasoline engine even saw Nissan GT-R on the list at one time. Curious if you know the answer to this, but with any other oil weight our '12 v maintenance manual says oil change every 5k miles, but 0W-20 it's 10k miles. Why? It says it differently, along the lines of "if 0W-20 was not used at the last oil change, then change oil at 6 months/5 k mi". In a lot of cars I deal with I use that Mobil 1 FS Euro 0W-40 but the interval is 1 yr/10k miles for all those....

    moto g(7) power ?
     
  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    If you stick to what the manufacturer says to use, you'll be fine.
     
  9. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    The only reason I can think of is to meet Cafe standards. If you recall that when the Gen3 came out we told to change the oil at 5k miles and the maintenance reminder comes on at 5k miles. Then Toyota decided we could go 10k miles before oil changes needed to take place. So either CAFE standards were be applied or they were saving on the 2 years free service?
     
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  10. TheGrayt1

    TheGrayt1 Junior Member

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    Thanks for all the help guys. Random ? I really like the look of the 2015 hubcaps, do those fit on the 2010 model or is it a different design?
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  11. Terrell

    Terrell Old-Timer

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    I have a 2010 Prius - it's the most trouble free car I've ever owned. It currently has around 110,000 miles on it, doesn't burn oil, but did burn out headlights every 10-12 months until I got the headlight recall service done at the dealer. I have always taken my Prius to the dealer, and do not think they have every overcharged me. They have always done good work. Dealers will vary, just as do other professions.
     
    ASRDogman likes this.
  12. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I can't argue with your results, but perhaps I can remind you that you're talking about history. We took our own car to the dealer when it was close to new, we got good service and paid fair prices. I think it's fair to expect such- again, when the car is close to new.

    I still assert that when the car isn't so new, there's less value in using the dealer for service. This is particularly true if the warranty has lapsed and also if the owner has changed. There's no relationship with the service people to preserve or anything, so... might as well make a fresh start with a neighborhood mechanic. Likely to be a more convenient location and almost guaranteed to have lower prices.

    And it's just a prep step anyway- the entire suggestion was really just to have a leg up on knowing where to take it, have their phone number already in the phone etc.

    In theory this specific car is good to go and won't actually need service for a while.
     
    Johnso1 likes this.
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Look into EGR and intake manifold cleaning, if you haven't already.
     
  14. Johnso1

    Johnso1 New Member

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    I'm a HUGE fan of the 2010! It is my favorite year. I currently own 2, just sold a third, and have owned a 10 when it first came out. so in total, I've owned 4 2010. (Then bought a 15, top of the line and did not like it at all.) The '10 is my favorite. The 10 was the first year of the new upgraded battery. It is the same battery used in the current models last I heard.
    We've had no problems except for problems caused by crappy dealerships doing crappy work. Go to a toyota Dealership with the highest ratings! The dealership I go to now has a two week wait just for an oil change, they are that good. The other 2 dealerships can get you in same day!
    Go for it. Original owner, bet he took good care of it. My word of caution, I stay away from the Joe Machanics that like to work on their cars themselves. I will only buy if it was Exclusively serviced at a Toyota dealership. Also, if there was ever an accident, the car will never be the same.
    Best of Luck.