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Synthetic Oil: Is is REQUIRED?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by PriusPeep, Jun 1, 2019.

  1. SeattleBebop1

    SeattleBebop1 Active Member

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    I think Elektroingenieur has the information & linked manual in this thread:

    How long can one delay a synthetic oil change past 6 months? | PriusChat

    I just got my engine oil and oil filter changed at the 12 month mark because I'm only using synthetic (was under 10K miles, though.) I paid $90 for the oil, filter, and tire rotation at my local Japanese auto shop.
     
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  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Look in this booklet, not in the Owner's Manual:

    upload_2021-8-16_13-45-51.png

    If you didn't get a copy of it when acquiring this pre-owned car, then scroll down to the third row here, to download a copy:

    2017 Toyota Prius Owners Manual and Warranty - Toyota Owners
     
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    No but they are quite amendment that you should NOT use a thicker oil than specified.......and that is not available and maybe not possible in a "conventional" oil.
    The specified oil keeps getting thinner because of tiny reductions in total engine friction, resulting in better efficiency AND while still allowing tighter tolerances at the same time.
    An oil that is much thicker might not lubricate a new engine properly.........and wear faster.
    After 100K miles or so, it probably makes little to no difference.
     
  4. smiley13

    smiley13 Junior Member

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  5. smiley13

    smiley13 Junior Member

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    Thank you!
     
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  6. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

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    It makes me angry the service manager didn't explain that to you!
    But, IMHO, don't just take your vehicle to any yahoo for an oil change...there's a number of benefits by using the dealer which includes the MPI (multi-point inspection) where you look over everything and let you know if they see any issues. Also, since they work on Toyotas all day long, they know trouble spots to especially check for....other mechanics just don't always know. If they identify stuff that needs work, don't say yes right away, come back here and ask the experts. (We'll say heck no to changing out the blinker fluid, if they tried that, but could help advice is they want to do a brake job and as cars get older things to pop up, whether it's a hybrid or not.)
     
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  7. Elt31987

    Elt31987 Active Member

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    I would check your dealers pricing on oil changes. You'd be surprised sometimes. My dealer would change my oil and filter for 49.99 with full synthetic TGMO. Ive since switched to changing it myself with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum but the dealer was always my go to.
     
  8. SeattleBebop1

    SeattleBebop1 Active Member

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    Yep. I got my car used and I don't qualify for any free perks from our local stealership.* But I am taking it to the Japanese specialty shop partially for this reason; I know they are checking for other issues. (I already check my fluid levels myself but I figure they can tell me if they see something weird.) I don't mind paying about $50 for the labor (I assume the supplies are probably $40ish if I bought them myself).... and I don't have a level, private driveway to change oil in anyway. LOL.

    *I know for a fact they overcharge, even way beyond Seattle standards. I guess their clientele base is loaded devs.
     
  9. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

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    My dealership do not advertise the brand they use for their oil. I am still under ToyotaCare and my first service 5000miles, was $89 just for a tire rotation.
     
  10. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Is the "free service for 25,000 miles or 2 years" feature no longer part of the sale package?
     
  11. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

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    it was free, but the repair order says total for that 5k service was $89 paid by ToyotaCare
     
  12. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I'm doubting that Toyota paid the shop that much. Sort of like medical billings, the rack rate price shown to you is not what the insurance company actually pays the provider.
     
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  13. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

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    the good old jiffy lube scam.
     
  14. Elt31987

    Elt31987 Active Member

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    Geesh maybe dealer's are cheaper out here
     
  15. smiley13

    smiley13 Junior Member

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    I just asked the closest Toyota dealership and they said full synthetic oil change 0W20 costs $54.95 plus tax and fees and they use Mobile oil (Firestone appears to use Pennzoil). So, maybe it is less expensive than Firestone. Hmmmm....I'll probably still bring it to Firestone; it's closer and I've been going there for over 20 years. I'm sure they have a coupon to bring the price down.
     
  16. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    My 2020 AWDe calls for the new 0w15 synthetic oil which would be even more expensive, but my dealer does oil changes free for life (every 10k miles or 1 year), a perk due to buying the car from him.

    JeffD
     
  17. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    YIKES.
    You do NOT have to make a special visit to have your tires rotated at 5000 miles.
    Having it done coincident with your oil changes should be fine......and it might be less costly too.

    The "life" you lose in your tires by doing that will be little to nothing.
     
  18. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

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    Yep, many folks don't know about the deals available at dealerships. My parts department gives 10% military discount and also has discounts if you buy in bulk. Three oil filters used to be $9.99 but I think the last time I got some it was up to $12.99 but still a great deal for OEM's. In the service department, you can buy 3 oil changes with tire rotation and car wash for $90, conventional oil and $165 for synthetic. But in the details it says must be used within a year. Now who gets their oil changed 3 times a year??? (Very few folks) I think I'll send a suggestion to them to update that.
     
  19. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    He didn't lie, he just didn't fully explain the situation. According to the Warranty and Service Guide, you can go 10,000 miles/1 year IF you fill with 0W-20. Toyota never mentions the word "synthetic", but my understanding is all 0W- oils are synthetic, so it is implied if not explicitly stated. If you don't want to use "0W-" oil, then you are supposed to only go 5,000 miles/6 months between changes. So, "synthetic" is not required, but you can only go 5,000 miles on "non-synthetic" is the way I understand it.
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That’s maybe be conflation? The manual says “you can use 5w20, but only go 5k miles” (paraphrasing, but words to that effect). But:

    they don’t stipulate it’s conventional 5W20 they’re talking about, and that weight comes in both conventional and synthetic.

    I keep to 5k and 6 mo anyway. One reason: that’s Toyota Canada’s recommendation, for 3rd gen. But mainly because I’m more comfortable with that.