Changing Oil in With Minimal Equipment.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by richard1540, Jun 12, 2026 at 3:31 AM.

  1. richard1540

    richard1540 Junior Member

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    I have a Gen 3 2011 with the original oil filter set-up. I want to start to change the oil and filter myself. I’ve always done it myself with other cars but with this Prius it’s impossible to get underneath.

    I’m travelling around and will be for the foreseeable future so can’t buy any equipment apart from the oil filter tool.

    If i manage to borrow a pair of ramps, does it matter if the car’s front is higher? What about if it was parked so that it was higher on one side- like parked on a highish gutter and i lay down in the gutter. If it was doable, which side should be the high side?

    As an aside my car goes so much better with synthetic 0W-20 oil rather than semi synthetic 5W-30. I’m in Australia and Toyota dealers seem to use the 5W-30 by default. A lot of mechanics don’t stock the lighter oil although that seems to changing somewhat with the proliferation of Toyota hybrids.
     
    #1 richard1540, Jun 12, 2026 at 3:31 AM
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I drive the passenger(right) side wheel on a ramp. It is plenty of room to access the
    filter housing and drain plug.
    You could always jack up that side and use a jack stand, it won't take up much space like
    the ramp would.
    It moves the oil closer to the drain plug so you'll get most of the oil out.

     
    #2 ASRDogman, Jun 12, 2026 at 7:42 AM
  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Don't buy any aggressive ramps - you won't get it pass your air dam. The cheap plastic rhino ramps work great; no scraping.
    Change your oil and put in 3.5 quarts then drive it off the ramps. Double check fill level on a flat level surface. Then check for leaks.

    Simple....
     
    #3 BiomedO1, Jun 12, 2026 at 8:50 AM
  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    "I’m travelling around and will be for the foreseeable future so can’t buy any equipment apart from the oil filter tool."

    I use a 2x4, about 18inched long in front of the wheel, it raises just enough to get the wheel on the ramp without
    the trim touching the ramp.

    But since he doesn't want to carry a ramp around, that's why I said to jack it up and use a jack stand for support.
     
    #4 ASRDogman, Jun 12, 2026 at 9:19 AM
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Ramps’ll work. If anything, having the front raised drains the oil more completely, the oil pan drain bolt being at the trailing edge.

    There’s a link in my signature with some oil change tips. (On a phone turn it landscape to see signatures)
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Jun 12, 2026 at 9:34 AM
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2026 at 9:40 AM
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    All you have to do is pull up on a friend's curb. Put passenger side up on the curb and go to work it should take 18 minutes with Walmart tools. the HOA lady shouldn't be able to make it up to the side of your vehicle before you start rolling the car off the curb ask me how I know this .
     
    #6 Tombukt2, Jun 12, 2026 at 10:42 AM
    frodoz737 likes this.
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