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Oil dipstick colour

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by james909, Aug 31, 2024 at 10:15 AM.

  1. james909

    james909 Junior Member

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    Confessions time. Since 2020 I only changed my oil once in 2022. Before that annually. Reason was I only did avout 1500 miles because of covid and now last two years about 7000. I used 5w30 synthetic. I'm going to change it soon to 5w20 which has become cheaper now and might give better mpg. Anyway I don't think the oil looks that dirty. What do you think?
     

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  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    No problem let it rip aren't you real hot in the UK I'd probably stay with the Toyota recommended 5w30 for the one NZ engine that you have like mine Why would you reduce the hot side of the oil weight seriously maybe y'all have different technology over there or something been a long time since I've been there with Holden Commodores and all that but I don't think so maybe you should check with the guys and the UK over on Toyota mods I don't think they would give you that kind of advice but what do I know. I'm in a hot climate 90 and 100 during the summer and I am staying with the 5:30 and sometimes I have run the 0-40 European oil from Mobil 1
     
  3. MAX2

    MAX2 Member

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    Oil should be changed according to mileage.
    But if the mileage is low, then the oil should be changed at least once a year.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    This is what Honda advises, in their Maintenance Minder system description. Basically, regardless of what schedules and in-dash systems say, if you’re low usage, still change it once a year. Spring would be my pic; oil tends to collect humidity through winter.

    if you follow Toyota USA schedule for Gen 2, to the letter (5k miles or 6 months, whichever comes first), then it’d be every 6 months. But with very light use, yeah yearly is sensible.