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Anyone use just 3qt oil per change?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by SLO Cat Wrangler, Oct 13, 2008.

  1. SLO Cat Wrangler

    SLO Cat Wrangler Junior Member

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    So I was changing my oil at the ~ 15K mark and I was getting to thinking, Why am I putting in 3qts and 3/10 of a quart. Well it dawned on me that this is what you do per the instructions.

    So I also noticed that most people here at prius chat recommend not overfilling which means that you add 3.3qt then adjust as needed.

    So, this is what I normally do, however I note that there is alot of room on the dipstick.

    So could you just add back (after you change the filter) a total of 3 quarts and be safe (Note that this 3 quarts includes any oil that you prime the filter with)?

    This would rid the little left over and make changing oil a little easier.

    Anyone doing this?

    Steve
     
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    I find that 3.5 qts hits the right spot on the dipstick every time. I save the half qt for the next oil change.

    JeffD
     
  3. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    3.5 quarts is the right amount to use!
     
  4. morpheusx

    morpheusx Professor Chaos

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    You can get away with 3 just quarts. 3 quarts will put you exactly halfway between the "safety" marks on the dipstick. I usually stretch 2 (5 quart jugs) from wal-mart into 3 oil changes.
     
  5. blazer_5154

    blazer_5154 Heh, you said "member"

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    I've been doing this since the beginning with no ill effects that I have noticed. Granted, I have only done about 4 oil changes so far, but it seems to work well for me.
     
  6. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    55 months, 33,000 miles, exactly 3 quarts every six months. If the engine explodes someday I will certainly post about it :_>
     
  7. Priusaurus110

    Priusaurus110 Junior Member

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    This is exactly what I do at each oil & filter change. 3 qts puts me halfway between the high and low marks which is safe and creates no problems.


     
  8. skruse

    skruse Senior Member

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    3.5 quarts + Mobil 1 ("double") oil filter filled with oil at every oil change (now at 35,000).
     
  9. TucsonPrius

    TucsonPrius Member

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    After my third or fourth oil change I realized that it was too much trouble to worry about the extra 0.3-0.5 quart. So from then on 3 qts; oil level ends up right where its supposed to be, not too much, not too little, exactly in the middle.

    Thanks,
    Shawn
     
  10. narf

    narf Active Member

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    yup, same here. 3 quarts gets me right in the middle of the high and low marks on the dipstick.
     
  11. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    Thats what I've started doing. No more trying to stop at exactly .5 of a quart. No more guess-n-check with the dipstick + pouring more.

    Saves oil. Less waste.
     
  12. eagsc7

    eagsc7 Geocacher

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    Its a GOOD thing that I read this board. Yesterday, I changed the oil, and knowing that it was a 1.5L engine(Much smaller than the V6 that our Grand Prix had), I only grabbed 2 qts of oil. Changed the oil, installed the EBH, and didn't even think about checking the dipstick. Come on I only put in 1.5 qts, and it should be good...

    Read the board, and started thinking... Hmm, I guess it dosen't hurt to check the dipstick. After a good long look in the mirror, I realized that 1.5 Qts does NOT equil 1.5L. Of course, I threw in the other 1.5 Qts of oil and then pulled the dipstick out and YEAH... Its Perfectly centered between the dots...

    Thanks for the Wake-up Call.
     
  13. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    1.5 L = engine displacement inside the cylinder. (oil does not go inside the cylinder).

    Good catch :p
     
  14. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Since the Prius engine normally does not use any appreciable amount of engine oil, this practice of using 3 quarts is OK. However as the car ages, if your engine develops a gasket leak or is burning oil, then you have less safety margin to work with.
     
  15. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    True, one should check the oil at least monthly in any case, to catch any increase in oil consumption.