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2010 - Dealer oil change. Can I top up (mix) with Mobil 1?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Ultralight, Jan 14, 2017.

  1. Ultralight

    Ultralight Junior Member

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    Greetings,

    I change my 2010 Prius oil at the local Toyota dealer. Presumably they use Toyota's synthetic 0-20W. The bottle looks remarkably like a Mobil 1 bottle.

    Anyways, if my engine oil runs low before the next change, can I simply top up with Mobil 1 or do I have to use whatever my dealer use? I can get Mobil 1 a lot cheaper than my dealer's price.

    Thanks!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how much are you topping up between changes? it might be time for a heavier oil. i would stick with the same oil for topping.
    however, i'm not sure what you buy in quarts from them is the same as the junk they pump out of the 55 gallon drums.
     
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Yes, it would be fine. However, as long as the oil level is between the two marks on the dipstick, you don't really have to "top it up".
     
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  4. Ultralight

    Ultralight Junior Member

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    Thanks!

    I assume that they use only one type of engine oil at the Toyota dealer which Toyota specifies to be synthetic.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hopefully.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'd second @bisco 's question: how's the oil consumption?

    Any 0W20 will be fine. For a paradigm shift: pick up a bottle of Toyota 0W20? It's good stuff, all I ever use. Very cheap through dealership up here.
     
  7. Ultralight

    Ultralight Junior Member

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    I do have an abundance of Mobil 1 0-20W - about 20 of them. :)
     
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  8. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    Assuming the dealer is using Toyota 0w-20 synthetic, it is blended by Mobil 1 to Toyota spec and is quite closely related to Mobil 1 AFE 0w-20. In this case you would be topping with very compatible oil. But as others have said, so long as the dealer is using a syn 0w-20, the mix won't be a problem regardless. If the dealer is cheating by using bulk, conventional 5w-30 oil, I'd (my opinion only) feel like you're improving it with M1 top-offs.

    If you're not into DIY oil changes, just bring your M1 to your selected oil change place and have them use it. It is a fantastic 0w-20, always returning great used oil analysis reports.

    Although the dipstick obviously gives a safe range for oil level, with these small sump engines I feel better keeping the level close to, if not at the full dot. Again, just personal opinion, as the oil discussions always are...
     
    #8 m.wynn, Jan 19, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2017
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  9. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    No problems at all topping it off with the M1.
    As mentioned above sometimes M1=Toyota's blend, depending on who the lowest bidder is at the time.
     
  10. Ultralight

    Ultralight Junior Member

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    Thank you everyone for the reply. Just a great forum!! Much appreciated.