Just hit 5k, first oil change due, anything special to know for doing it myself?

This is the easiest oil change I've ever done.
Wow, that spin on filter is small & easy to get on & off.

Points directly down & decent clearance around it.

Good job Toyota.

1 complaint it that the dipstick doesn't show oil so well.
So u need to be extra careful, checking oil.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jun 22 2007, 11:06 AM) [snapback]466321[/snapback]</div>

You can; I've done it. But you have to do it by feel, so no question that ramps (or a jack/jackstands) are an asset.

 

Although many say ramps (or raising the front of the vehicle) are not needed when changing oil in the Prius, I am sort of a large guy and always liked to use my one-piece molded plastic ramps to lift the front end up so I can get under it
... are these okay, that is, will they fit okay under the front end (wheels/lower fender, etc.) of the '07 Prius??
[attachmentid=9198]
The reason I ask is because I once had a 1976 Triumph TR-7 (before the plastic ramps were invented) and tried those "metal" ramps that were popular back then.... scraped the Hell out of the bottom of the metal fenders :angry: :angry: !!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ Jun 25 2007, 09:10 AM) [snapback]467548[/snapback]</div>

Same ramps I have, and are a perfect fit on the front too!

 

Yes, the plastic ramps work well. The front end on the Prius is so short that there is very little room between the front wheel wells and the actual front of the car. This eliminates the possibility of having any scratching issues with the bottoms of the fenders.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(G-Man @ Jun 25 2007, 09:18 AM) [snapback]467551[/snapback]</div>

Whew.... THANKS for the confirmation !!

I was sick-to-my stomach when I tried those "metal" ramps on my 1976 Triumph TR-7 and heard (and felt) s-c-r-a-p-e !!

 

I figure it this way the US manufacturers are now pushing 7500 miles for oil intervals and the oil companies are still pushing 3000 miles for oil intervals. My logical thinking is the oil companies want you to buy more oil and the car manufacturers want you to buy more cars by wearing out your car faster (good enough to get you past the warranty period but not last 150,000 - 250,000 miles.)

I have always just changed mine every 3 months anyway, I always have seemed to average about 1500 miles a month anyway.

 

I was plannin' on waiting for around 3,500+ miles on our new Prius to change oil filter/drain plug gasket and switch to MOBIL1. Got all my "tools" ready (14mm 6-point socket, KD 65mm cap wrench, roll of paper towels, etc.) in addition to a genuine new Toyota oil filter & drain plug gasket. Currently we have only around 1,200 miles in five weeks of initial ownership, so I imagine the actually oil change procedure will take place for me sometime in August !

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ Jun 25 2007, 09:31 AM) [snapback]467554[/snapback]</div>

Luckily, it was just superficial paint scrape, hidden under the bottom out of sight.... thank God for spray touch-up paint.

 

Used a MityVac to pump my oil out & Rhino Ramps to pull off the filter.
30 minutes including prep & cleanup.

Changed out the factory oil @ 1100 miles.
Surprised it was so clean on the dipstick but black as night in the MityVac.
There was some metal flakes from the wear in.

My plan is:
Use the Castrol GTX until 5k. Then will switch out to whatever synth is on sale & go 7500 OCI then.

Will get a lifetime rotation plan from NTB for $50 so I can have the tires rotated @ the same interval.

btw:
The Napa wrench (thanks to FloridaWen in a previous thread) fitted perfectly.
This is my first spin on filter & I can't believe how easy it is.

Too bad it adds waste to the environment more so than the cartridge types.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Jun 25 2007, 02:08 PM) [snapback]467663[/snapback]</div>

I would think the MityVac would not get all the oil, or am I wrong? I think I'd have to do the MityVac once and then remove the drain to see what was left.

I still think the FumotoValve is great !

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Jun 25 2007, 02:08 PM) [snapback]467663[/snapback]</div>

I spend 5 minutes under the car with attention to detail.

Plus, I don't need a big oil catch pan.
The little oil that comes out from the filter can fall into a little plastic tub I have which pours back into the mityvac.
Carry the MityVac to the local AAP to dump into their recycling bin.

No fuss & no muss. 5 Minutes under the car.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(G-Man @ Jun 25 2007, 02:14 PM) [snapback]467669[/snapback]</div>

There have been many ppl who have done both & have noticed no appreciable differences in what comes out.
Also do you know for sure if all the oil has been 100% removed from all the engine's cylinders or other crevices either way?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(morpheusx @ Jun 25 2007, 09:32 AM) [snapback]467555[/snapback]</div>

I just sold my '96 Accord with 186k on it. Oil changes at 7,500 miles. Oil analysis done a few times. When I sold it, no oil use between changes, and a clean bill of health from the analysis.

186k changed every 7,500 = 25 oil changes * $30 using Full Synthetic AMSOIL and OEM Filters, total $750
186k changed every 3000 = 62 oil changes x $30 using the same oil and filters = $1860.

Not to mention the extra time involved.

I will stick with the Toyota reccomendation of 5K. The Accord schedule was 7,500. I will use Mobil 1 since I can get 5W-30 at Costco. 5W-20 for the Accord is harder to find.

The car was in EXCELLENT condition, and I sold it to a good friend for $2600. Never spent a dime other than regular scheduled items. Timing belt and water pump being the most expensive at 90k twice.

I hope this Prius is as reliable!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(G-Man @ Jun 25 2007, 02:14 PM) [snapback]467669[/snapback]</div>

My Mercedes takes 8 1/2 quarts of oil at each change. When I use the MityVac, that is exactly what I get out, so I know it is getting it all out. Also, I did both one time, using the MityVac and then double-checking by removing the drain plug. All that was left was a couple of drips.

 

It is amazing that mfg's still recommend 5k or even 7.5k oil changes. That is the same interval that the recommended 20 years ago. Oil today is light years better than oil was 20 years ago. The latest API SM oils are probably better than the original Mobil 1 Full Synthetic oil. GM uses a sophisticated oil life monitor. Some people go 12k miles before the monitor says to change the oil.

3k oil changes are a waste of resources. I will be going 10k with synthetic oil.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MickeyA @ Jun 25 2007, 07:55 AM) [snapback]467594[/snapback]</div>

Probably too late now, but I wish we could see a used oil analysis from your 'first fill' stuff, Mickey. Would you consider doing it next time around? Second fills would be interesting as well. Would cost you about $20.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Winston @ Jun 25 2007, 04:31 PM) [snapback]467815[/snapback]</div>

Your call, but "only" changing your oil every 10K miles does give Toyota a foothold if they want to claim that you caused (potential future) engine damage by not changing your oil as often as they wanted you to.

Note that this statement shouldn't be confused with me actually thinking that it will cause damage. I just feel like changing your oil every 10K gives Toyota room to (potentially) wiggle out of warranty claims.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Betelgeuse @ Jun 25 2007, 05:49 PM) [snapback]467824[/snapback]</div>

Plus changing oil is not expensive, and since I recycle it there is no harm to the environment as it is reused for other products. Not sure what they make with it though.