PHEV specific topic: oil change based on time ONLY

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Templeton, Dec 30, 2025 at 11:45 AM.

  1. Templeton

    Templeton Member

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    I know there have been lots of oil change threads, but I was curious to get people's opinions on a specific aspect of oil changes for prius PHEVs (primes).

    I just heard an interesting podcast episode about the time (not the mileage) between oil changes. So, whatever you might choose to follow (toyota mileage recommendations, or more often), with the prius prime ICE not running much if you drive a lot on EV mode, after the warranty period has passed (where you might, for legal reasons, need to follow factory directions exactly), what are your thoughts about the opinions in this podcast from blackstone labs?

    tldr: These guys say that modern synthetic oils, even after being opened and sitting in a crankcase, can last for a long, long chronological time (this podcast focuses only on chronological time between changes, not on the miles driven between changes). And that most folks in most cases don't need to worry about time between changes, they should more focus on the miles (and the type of miles) between changes.

    Just curious what most prius PHEV owners on here think about this, since many of us drive a lot on EV mode, sometimes more than in HV mode. Audio episode here:
    105: No Time To Change - Slick Talk: Powered By Blackstone Laboratories - Apple Podcasts
     
    #1 Templeton, Dec 30, 2025 at 11:45 AM
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM
  2. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    Not a PHEV owner, and didn't watch the video, but most equipment has hour meters, no?
    Too bad this couldn't be accessed via software, or even miles with engine running-you'd think it should be kept track of by the car.
    I suppose you could install an hour meter.
     
  3. Templeton

    Templeton Member

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    No huge need for an hour meter, as there are easy ways to keeping track of miles driven in HV mode (in a prius PHEV).

    But some people insist that oil goes bad just based just on time alone, and that is what I was interested to get opinions on. Especially since the blackstone folks seem to provide info that indicates otherwise.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if i had known this when i owned a pip, i would have changed the oil twice in eleven years, instead of every year.
    that would have been a $1,000. savings