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How often do you change your oil?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by JayGen4, Apr 6, 2020.

  1. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    I do my own oil changes (Toyota 0W-20 oil and OEM filters) at 7500 miles, which works out to approximately twice per year for me.
     
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  2. JayGen4

    JayGen4 Member

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    I don't think so
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Toyota Tech Info, in the Manuals section, is one place you can get the pdf's.
     
  4. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    I must say the oil appears to be pretty clear in mine, much longer than using synthetic on my old car. Sure color isnt everything, but given toyota has went to 10k mile oil changes in all of its newer lineup 2016+, I am pretty certain to say 10k miles seems fine in your prius despite what the shop may be telling you.
     
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  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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  6. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    IMO wear is unlikely in the Prius at 150K as the engine is not running as much as a conventional ICE, probaly half the mileage. It could be glazed bores and/or piston rings due to changing the oil too early on the first change, i.e. the bores and rings don't get bedded in, or changing the oil too frequently.
     
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    No need to "think so." Just go to the link that I was going to provide but @JimboPalmer beat me to it. Same one I used to download my manuals for my '17 Prime, and all the other Prii I have or have had. I also use the site to look up info for people who really should be looking it up for themselves to demonstrate how much easier & faster it usually is than asking other people and waiting for them to answer with what may or may not be right. :D
     
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  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Perhaps if it is not important enough to them to look up the answer, it is not important enough for your time. ;);)
     
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  9. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I am reminded of a chivalry quote "I hold the door, not because she is a lady, but because I am a gentleman."

    It is always worth my time to be helpful. You may not like my help, but it is always the best help I have.
     
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  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    There is a cantankerous side to me that is tempted sometimes to take that attitude.

    But Jimbo is spot on. I try really hard to not let other people sabotage my spirit, but I admit to less than 100% success in that effort. :oops:
     
  11. DonJuan1943

    DonJuan1943 Member

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    I change the oil once a year, or every 10,000 miles of regular service. I drive mostly short trips, with an occasional longer road trip. Never has the oil appeared dark or worn at the end of the year. And; I only drive maybe 6000 to 7000 miles per year. I live in an area with intense seasonal changes. Thus, 12 months is as long as I go without an oil/filter change, irregardless of #miles. I guess I'll add that this is my third Prius in 10 years. I used to lease every 36 months from new; but this 2016 Prius had such low miles at the end of the lease (23000), that I decided to buy it off of the lease rather than lease a new 2017.
     
    #31 DonJuan1943, Apr 9, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2020
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Oil appearance on dipstick? I'd warrant it'd look like ink collected in a jar. Still viable though, just saying.
     
  13. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I spent about a decade as a moderator for a forum intended for terminally ill children. I quickly developed the attitude "I love everyone until they prove otherwise. Sadly, some are in such a hurry to prove otherwise."

    Officially, our mandate was "If Mickey Mouse wouldn't say it, we won't say it." In practice, I drew the line at Kermit the Frog.

    I met my wife playing silly games for kids stuck in hospital beds. She just liked silly games, and loved not dealing with the unlovable. This month we play games on Zoom with her Sunday School class. The more things change...
     
  14. JayGen4

    JayGen4 Member

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    I agree with this and I'm honestly a little annoyed at how often the manual is referenced in every thread.

    As if I should not have bothered asking?

    Anyway, my question wasn't "what does the manual say?" It was "how much oil do YOU put in?"

    I'm asking for user experience and thoughts. Now in what page of the manual can I find that?

    Thanks for all the responses. I feel confident with 10k oil changes. Might even do it myself sometime.
     
  15. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    On my bought new G2 now at 150k miles I have always changed my oil with full synthetic every 5k miles only because the dipstick smells so strongly of fuel. I am concerned about fuel dilution. But this OCI has worked well for me as my G2 doesn’t use any oil between changes. And engine internals look brand new.
    Have had very good luck with high performance oil with a zddp additive. It’s unique oil it’s 5-30 oil that becomes a 40 weight oil at op temp which helps combat oil loss. It works.

    I don’t know if G3-4 models suffer from fuel smell/dilution.
     
  16. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    The oil level won't go down between changes if the sump is filling with petrol :rolleyes:
    "It’s unique oil it’s 5-30 oil that becomes a 40 weight oil at op temp which helps combat oil loss. It works." AKA 5W40 oil o_O
     
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  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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  18. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    But Ray my sump is filled with petrol bloody hell...lol...
     
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  19. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    :ROFLMAO::LOL::ROFLMAO::LOL:

    I added some BG Products Extended Life MOA to the mix as well to help ensure the oil stayed basic;).

    It was a good cocktail for our 2010(y).
     
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  20. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    :LOL: what weight petrol, 5W30 or 5W40 ?
     
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