Best oil filter for 2006 Gen 2 Prius and where to buy

An oil and filter change with conventional oil at my local Toyota dealer is about $30. Takes twenty minutes. Why bother doing it yourself?

 

1. Correct oil level assured when you DIY.
2. Better oil is generally used by DIYers than by dealership.
3. 30 minutes at dealer does not include driving to dealer and back.
4. Oil change provides opportunity to inspect the following:
a. seepage/leakage from motor and transaxle,
b. CV boot leakage,
c. brake fluid level,
d. air pressure in tires, and
e. oil catch can (aftermarket add on).

 

Suggest you change dealers

 

AFAIK, all dealers use the same cheap barrel oil. Additionally, in the northeast of the US, most dealerships techs are organized based on skill levels. At a dealership, the lowest of the low (with regards to automotive skills) are lube techs. If you are basing your safety and the Gen2's reliability on the analysis skills of your average lube tech then you have placed your trust in the wrong person (namely, the lube tech).

 

Paranoia? I buy that oil, bring my own bottle. It’s described on the invoice as Toyota 0W20, and I have no reason to think otherwise. It doesn’t have to come in plastic quart bottles, contribute to the petroleum-soiled waste container stream.

 

Almost all of the new Toyota vehicles use 0W16, which due to limited supply, demand a higher price. Many unscrupulous oil change places and dealers will substitute 0W20, which cost less and is readily available. To make sure it is dome right, I wound always change my own oil.

Over tightened and stripped oil change plugs a very common issues as well as overfilling.

 

Also: underpanels damaged and/or missing fasteners. Even spun-off bolt heads. And unecessary, great gobs of spray-on lube on door hinges. One case reported here: missing oil filter element (with the paper-only style). And of course: relentless upsell.

 

I know that you purchase the barrel oil at your Toyota dealer. However. I respectfully disagree with you on the quality, value and utility of such barrel oil. Just my two cents.

PS I agree with you that barrel oil is environmentally more friendly from the perspective of nil packaging (compared to store bought oil).

However. I buy my oil in one gallon jugs. Thus, i buy one container of oil - not multiple containers of oil. IOW, my choice has more environmental impact but has less packaging than say 2 meals from McDonalds, or . . .Taco Bell, or . . .
KFC, etc.

 

Why NOT TO PAY THE DEALER for an oil change.

I agree with what has been said before -- time in driving to the dealer, waiting at the dealer, arguing with the service writer -- they always want to change the cabin filter and the engine air filter, even when I tell them beforehand the filters are fine, leave them alone.

I can change the Prius oil/filter for less than $15 in materials and 10 minutes of my time. Since I use a Fumoto valve, I don't even need any tools.

Finally, as mentioned, it gives me a chance to check underneath and make sure all looks good.

And, did I mention that on one of my older cars several years ago (a Nissan) that I took to the dealer, the skid plate had to be removed to change the filter -- One time it was removed and never put back.I sometimes suspect that they never even bothered to change that filter.

At the moment I am using AC/Delco Gold oil filters. With the rebates, I have been basically getting them for free. TYC cabin filters (under $5) and Denso engine air filters -- $9.
kris