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Newbie with Oil Concern

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by uvm1969, Feb 22, 2008.

  1. uvm1969

    uvm1969 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2007
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    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    First of all, I am dazzled by the high level of discussion on this forum. I live in Texas and drive app 40,000 miles/yr. I have been reading about which oil to use in the Prius, but am a little confused.

    I went to one of the local Toyota dealers yesterday, and since I have a 2005, which I just bought used, and absolutely love, they recommended the 5W 20 Toyota semi-synthetic oil. Is this too thin an oil for the incredible heat we experience in Texas? I am thinking I need to get a full synthetic like Amsoil XL 5W 20 next time. Any experiences with the Toyota 5W 20 oil, or the Amsoil XL 5W 20 with any of you ladies or gentlemen?
     
    #1 uvm1969, Feb 22, 2008
  2. seesfar

    seesfar New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2008
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    Location:
    east texas
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Hi welcome to forum, I just bought my Prius so haven't changed oil yet but have owned a Honda Civic Hybrid for 4 years and have used 5W-20 full syn. I live in east tx and the weight is fine for our heat. I would use a full syn. no reason for blend.
     
    #2 seesfar, Feb 22, 2008
  3. sugar land dave

    sugar land dave Member

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2007
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    Location:
    houston
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    My personal opinion for my area of Texas is to use the Toyota recommended weight - 5W-30 in a full synthetic such as Mobil-1. I switched and saw an immediate improvement in mpg. YMMV..... :car:
     
    #3 sugar land dave, Feb 22, 2008
  4. Fitchdave

    Fitchdave Silver Squirell

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
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    Location:
    South Shore Boston
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    oops
     
    #4 Fitchdave, Feb 22, 2008
  5. Fitchdave

    Fitchdave Silver Squirell

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2007
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    Location:
    South Shore Boston
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius

    I drive about 35000 miles per year. I do my own oil changes, use Mobil 1 5w30 and Toyota filters. Did my first oil change at 3000 miles. At 10000 miles the Mobil 1 was still light amber. Mobil 1 is good for 10,000 mile change intervals. Check the Maintenaince threads for Mobil 1. Good Luck, I know have 20000 miles on my Prius and couldn't be happier. Also great in the snow, had 6 inch storm today, no problem.
    [​IMG]
     
    #5 Fitchdave, Feb 22, 2008
  6. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2007
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    Location:
    Camas, WA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I have heard that it is best to stay away from semi synthetic or synthetic blends because have to pay more without getting all the benefits of pure synthetic and you still have some of the drawback of conventional oil, so I agree with those who say use Mobil One. That is what I will be changing over to at my next oil change which will be at about 25,000. If I had it to do over again, I would have switched over at 5000
     
    #6 NoMoShocks, Feb 22, 2008
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