How to keep the dealer from dumping dino-oil in your Mobil-1

Re: How to keep the dealer from dumping dino-oil in your Mob

Very Cool. Just ordered 3 stickers. I'm going in for my first oil change today. I am supplying my own oil, 3 quarts only Mobil 1, 5W-30W.

 

Re: How to keep the dealer from dumping dino-oil in your Mob

Just because you bring your own oil is no guarantee that oil will be used. In rare cases I wouldn't be surprised if somebody just put your expensive synthetic oil in their personal vehicle and used the dealer oil.

A friend of mine has a lease-return 2002 Buick Century. He purchased Mobil 1 for his first scheduled oil change and left very explicit written instructions to use the oil he had in the trunk.

He picked up his car when done, then drove to the grocery store. Upon returning with a cart full of groceries, he opened the trunk and - surprise! - there was his Mobil 1 still in the trunk.

He went back to the dealer and they - of course - couldn't understand what happened. So from that time on he has changed the oil himself.

Short of peering over the shoulder of the technician, I'm not sure what you can do to prevent that from happening.

Unless you can't change your own oil, I have to recommend doing it yourself. This car is very easy to service: the oil filter is remarkably easy to get to and so is the drain plug.

You don't need ramps. The thing holds less than 4 litres, so you should be able to find a shallow drain pan that slides under. As long as you're careful with removing the old drain plug gasket and putting on a new one, and not overtorqueing the drain plug, it's straightforward enough.

Just make sure to very slowly add the new oil and you won't have to worry about the PCV system introducing oil into the intake manifold.

 

Re: How to keep the dealer from dumping dino-oil in your Mob

I plan on doing my own oil changes but this first service is free 8) . I am going to have them install a Fumoto valve and have already bought a drain pan.

 

Re: How to keep the dealer from dumping dino-oil in your Mob

I've been using Mobil One 0-40W and it works fine. I was using the 5-30W. I thought this might help the engine during starting (plus better gas mileage).

 

Re: How to keep the dealer from dumping dino-oil in your Mob

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It appears a 0W-40 is "ok" to use in Europe. See:

http://www.bplubricants.co.uk

Click on "Recommendations," "Retail," "Cars," and then scroll down the drop box to "Toyota." Do not click "Toyota US" though.

The Prius is listed in the Toyota EU section. BP's primary recommendation is their premium synthetic Visco 7000 0W-40.

Alternative viscosity choices are 5W-30, 10W-30 if above -18 C, 15W-40 if above -12 C, and 20W-50 if above -7 C.

Much like how the same Honda motor in Europe can run everything from a 0W-20 to a 20W-50 depending on ambient temperature range.

 

Re: How to keep the dealer from dumping dino-oil in your Mob

I would *definitely* be interested in that. It makes a somewhat easy job *very* easy. Part number?? Thanks.

 

Re: How to keep the dealer from dumping dino-oil in your Mob

Thanks!