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FLORIDA - Best coolant & oil?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by SRQ, Jan 25, 2013.

  1. SRQ

    SRQ Member

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    I've been lurking here for over a year now, thank you all for your advice.

    My question is what is the best oil and coolant for a Florida 2008 Prius? It NEVER gets below freezing down here, and the weather is usually hot and humid. I've searched for the answer, but my problem is too much information. I do not intend to travel out of the area, and the vehicle has 70k miles on it.

    Thank you!
     
    #1 SRQ, Jan 25, 2013
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    One measure of 'best' is what the factory engineers planned for you to use.
    http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM47613U/pdf/sec_06-01.pdf

    Motor Oils is on page 3 of the PDF, page 466 of the paper manual

    Engine Coolant is on page 4 of the PDF, page 467 of the paper manul

    Once your definition of best differs from the folks who made the car, I have no opinion.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Jan 25, 2013
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  3. SRQ

    SRQ Member

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    The folks who made the car make the fluid specifications in a manner that covers a wide range of environments. What I'm asking for is not what the manufacturer recommends, which would be a catch-all for everyone, but what would be better for my particular environment. Such as not requiring antifreeze in my coolant.
     
    #3 SRQ, Jan 25, 2013
  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Mobil 1 0-20 for oil and keep fresh Inverter Coolant in the car. That uses one gallon of Toyota Super Long Life coolant (SLLC) Lots of corrosion going on in the Inverter cooling system and down here we see blistering heat stop & go. Best to keep the Inverter & transmission cooled properly as they are the most expensive components. Changing Inverter coolant could not be easier.

    Change oil & filter every 7500 miles using Mobil 1 and factory filter ($4.89)
    Change Inverter Coolant and trans fluid every 30,000 miles
    Engine coolant truly lasts to 100,000 miles
     
    #4 edthefox5, Jan 25, 2013
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  5. SRQ

    SRQ Member

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    Thank you. Exactly the answer I was looking for. I'm assuming the transmission shares coolant with the Inverter?
     
    #5 SRQ, Jan 25, 2013
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    No, the Transaxle uses ATF WS. (and two washers) I say change it at 30,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles after that.
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, Jan 25, 2013
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes, the transaxle and the inverter share coolant. In addition, the transaxle is lubricated with ATF WS.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Jan 25, 2013
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    What Pat said.

    Spend a little bit every 3 years to keep those 2 units happy. You will be rewarded 10 fold.
    Many youtubes on Inverter coolant change and trans fill. Pat has a nice write up on the Inverter coolant change with factory diagrams god bless him.
     
    #8 edthefox5, Jan 25, 2013
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  9. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Follow Patrick Wong's advice, you won't go wrong!
     
    #9 dorunron, Jan 25, 2013
  10. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Definitely stick with the recommended Toyota SLLC for coolant.

    As for the oil, given your climate I'd recommend staying with 5W30. If you're somewhere really cold then sure you can get slightly better fuel economy with 0W20, but from my experience in a warm/very warm climate there's absolutely no detectable difference in FE, so no reason to depart from the recommended viscosity- 5W30.

    The best oil to use will depend on what oil change interval you're using, whether you're mostly doing short or long trips, and what's readily available in your area.
     
    #10 uart, Jan 25, 2013
  11. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    UART is correct. But both viscosity's work. Go to Walmart as you can pick up a 5 quart jug of M1 for $25.00. Sometimes they have 0-20 & sometimes they have 5-30. Either one's ok.
    I'm running 0-20 now and the engine sounds fine. Good FE too.
     
    #11 edthefox5, Jan 26, 2013
  12. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    They certainly did. Yours included.
     
    #12 JimboPalmer, Jan 27, 2013
  13. clgutierrez

    clgutierrez Junior Member

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    Well, down here (Santiago, Chile) the Prius C manual specifies 0w20 as well as 5w30, see picture. Our climate is mostly temperate while winter has averages of 10C and some days with subzero temps at 6-7 am.

    In fact, it seems 0w20 is not available. I must change oil in some weeks and will use that oil during winter so I will be able to report back in June/July.

    [​IMG]

    Sent ?
     
    #13 clgutierrez, Jan 27, 2013
  14. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Hi clgutierrez. It sounds like you're mostly operating above 0C (32F), 5W30 will be totally fine.

    BTW. Just wondering if you could translate the supplementary notes down the right hand edge of the table.

    "Se usa aceite de motor ..." etc.

    I'd be interested to read it, or just the summary of where it recommends (or precludes) 10W30 or 5W30 etc. Thanks. :)
     
    #14 uart, Jan 27, 2013
  15. clgutierrez

    clgutierrez Junior Member

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    The spanish text roughly translates to: 'you can experience difficulties starting the engine if using 10w30 or higher viscosities in very cold weather. We recommend 5w30 or lower'

    Sent ?
     
    #15 clgutierrez, Jan 28, 2013
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  16. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Thanks clgutierrez. I thought it would be something like that. :)
     
    #16 uart, Jan 28, 2013
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