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My first Prius. LOVE it!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by JasonGoalie34, May 12, 2014.

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  1. JasonGoalie34

    JasonGoalie34 Junior Member

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    I went to the dealership with used Corolla on the brain. Inexpensive, fuel economy, easy to maintain...

    And I walked out with a Prius.

    Got very lucky... found a 2004 with 53,000 miles on it. So even though it's a first-year Gen II, she's barely broken in! Because of the old model year, it fell into my price range ($10K)

    It's been amazing. Got 53 MPG on my first 125 miles, love all the features and storage space, has plenty of power when you really need it (on-ramps and lane changes etc.). Also, I do my own oil changes, and was happy to see that the oil filter and drain plug are amazingly easy to access. No need for a jack.

    Just one question: My personal friend and professional mechanic is INSISTING that I use synthetic oil to do the oil changes. Is this 100% necessary?

    Happy Prius-ing!
     
    #1 JasonGoalie34, May 12, 2014
    Mochabuzz likes this.
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Dino oil is fine. Just change every 5000 miles

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #2 JC91006, May 12, 2014
  3. sambojoho

    sambojoho Proud conservative

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    Congrats on the new ride. I go 10k between changes and use full synthetic. If you use regular, I recommend sticking with 5k mile intervals.


    iPhone ?
     
    #3 sambojoho, May 12, 2014
  4. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    If your friend discounts the oil change, use synthetic, its insurance if you plan to keep it past 100k miles.
     
    #4 orenji, May 12, 2014
  5. JasonGoalie34

    JasonGoalie34 Junior Member

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    Wise advice by all.

    I suppose I could justify the price of full synthetic if I go 10K every oil change... And you're darn right about keeping her, I hope to be in the 200K club someday!

    So maybe the extra cost is worth it.
     
    #5 JasonGoalie34, May 12, 2014
  6. sambojoho

    sambojoho Proud conservative

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    I went to synthetic so I could change oil less often. The cost is minor compared to my time.


    iPhone ?
     
    #6 sambojoho, May 13, 2014
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I know many people are going to the 10k miles OCI which isn't a problem with synthetic oils, however you have to monitor your car's oil usage. Every 1000 miles or so, pull the dipstick and make sure your oil level is where it's suppose to be and not low. These cars often use oil and if you don't look at the level for 10k miles, you can easily run the engine dry.
     
    #7 JC91006, May 13, 2014
  8. JasonGoalie34

    JasonGoalie34 Junior Member

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    I think I've come to a final decision.

    Synthetic it is. My mechanic and most of you guys seem to agree.

    6 bucks extra for a jug of oil that can last up to twice as long is well worth it. The Quaker state synthetic looks pretty good, and a good value at $21 and change per jug.

    So that said... super-fancy oil filter too? I see these Fram "Ultra Synthetic" filters... and Bosch makes a high end one too... perhaps also worth the extra few bucks?
     
    #8 JasonGoalie34, May 14, 2014
  9. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Welcome aboard and enjoy the ride! Shoot, might as well go with the better filters.
     
    #9 spiderman, May 14, 2014
  10. Rph74

    Rph74 Active Member

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    I prefer to use genuine Toyota filters. Welcome aboard!
     
    #10 Rph74, May 15, 2014
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  11. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    Welcome and congratulations!
     
    #11 KennyGS, May 15, 2014
  12. JPTuck

    JPTuck Member

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    I have used Mobil1 for years along with either the best Fram filters or sometimes the K&N filters with no problems. I moved to Mobil1 back in 1996 when I bought my new 2dr GMC Yukon. Still kept the factory oil change intervals but knew that if for some reason I ran past that I had the best protection already on board. I have always thought of the added expense of synthetic oil and a good filter vs the regular oil as cheap insurance not knowing what my driving conditions might be like until the next oil change - but always checked to make sure the vehicle stayed full and wasn't burning too much oil.
     
    #12 JPTuck, May 15, 2014
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    #13 Patrick Wong, May 16, 2014
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats! '04 was great year. even though the first year of a new model, i think toyota put a lot into it to make sure there wouldn't be any problems. our neighbor now has our old one with 140k and it has never had any repairs, just standard maintenance. all the best!(y)
     
    #14 bisco, May 16, 2014
  15. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Congratulations and Welcome Aboard!

    I'm not going to weigh in on The Great Oil Debate, because it's valueless in terms of real-world engine longevity.
    The NHW11 (G2) will easily last for another ten years even if it had a disadvantaged childhood....provided that you monitor and replace filters and fluids, and familiarize yourself with the maintenance schedule.
    If you do your own oil changes, then the price difference between syntho and dino is very insignificant compared to the price of the car.
    FWIW, I'm on of the Luddites that change their oil @ 5k, but that's largely because I like to check the car over that often and if I'm going to drag out the ramps and tools...
    Why not change the oil?

    Most importantly.... I check the oil regularly.
    I'm not going to lie and say I check mine every time I stop for fuel, but I do check at least every other tank.
    This means that if my oil pressure light illuminates it almost has to be either a leak or me turning the car on.

    Enjoy the car!
    All the best.
     
    #15 ETC(SS), May 16, 2014
  16. JasonGoalie34

    JasonGoalie34 Junior Member

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    Excellent continued advice. I especially like the link to the case of oil filters. 10 genuine filters for 33 bucks sounds like a steal! Combined with the Quaker synth oil, I think I could do 7500K changes and not take too bad a hit to my wallet.
     
    #16 JasonGoalie34, May 16, 2014
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    10 filters? A lifetime supply almost

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #17 JC91006, May 16, 2014
  18. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    In your case, owning three 2G, you would use up that supply in around 3 years.
     
    #18 Patrick Wong, May 16, 2014
  19. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I buy them as needed now. Stocked up on a Honda I used to own, sold the car and still have 6 filters left

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #19 JC91006, May 16, 2014
  20. JasonGoalie34

    JasonGoalie34 Junior Member

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    Hmm... looks like I used the term "7500K" to describe my oil change interval in my last post.

    I believe that's 7.5 MILLION miles! Now THAT'S some oil filter!

    :sneaky:
     
    #20 JasonGoalie34, May 19, 2014
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