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Need oil. Dealer put in 10W40.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by R-P, Jan 6, 2015.

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  1. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    GregP507 I think there is some confusion here as the OP is trying to get the dealer to put the oil in the car that the Toyota handbook and oil filler cap specify 0w-20. I have had exactly the same problem with my own dealer.
    The grade of oil used does have a bearing on the fuel economy and hence the emissions level of the car. One mile to the gallon extra through using the correct oil in the UK and I believe most of Europe will pay for the oil change "at current fuel prices" at the recommended interval.
    Using 10w-40 is to say the least ridiculous in the Netherlands or the UK particularly with our cool climates.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #21 Britprius, Jan 14, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2015
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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Too: 10W40 is several steps thicker than the spec'd 0W20. I mean, why not 5W20, 5W30 or 10W30.
     
    #22 Mendel Leisk, Jan 14, 2015
  3. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Zero-grade oils were originally intended for very low temperature applications I believe, but a side-effect of low viscosity is marginal improvements to fuel economy. Normally, lower-viscosity reduces the lubricating qualities of the oil, but this is mitigated by the superior lubricating qualities of a synthetic, hence the recommendation to use 0W20 in all climates.
     
    #23 GregP507, Jan 14, 2015
  4. R-P

    R-P Active Member

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    Just for reference, I don't have 0W20 (or any other number) on my oil cap. But here's a pic of my manual (in Dutch, but the graph should still make sense ;) )


    [​IMG]

    Below it is a pic I found on Prius chat somewhere, presumably from a an older Prius II???
    [​IMG]
     
    #24 R-P, Jan 17, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2015
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  5. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    And... thats EXACTLY my point.(y)
     
    #25 PriusGuy32, Jan 17, 2015
  6. R-P

    R-P Active Member

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    0W20 is available, but only a few sources and double the price of 0W30 (80€ for 5liters 0W20 vs 40-50€ for 5liters of 0W30)

    Worth it? I'm Dutch and a cheapskate, so I would be tempted by the 0W30 (or 5W30 which are available in 'long life' versions whatever that means*. ).

    Choices are Shell Helix ECT or Castrol Edge Titanium in 0W30.

    Will look into the C1, C2 and C3 rating to see if that has any relevant meaning in my case.


    *I have not changed the synthetic oil in my motorcycle for 40,000 miles (stupidly low 4k service intervall according to Honda) and it runs like a dream (until I got ill and haven''t run it since). So not a stickler for continuous oilchanges: where the manufacturer says change every 4k, I ignore them. Where they say never change oil (autobox), I also ignore them and changed it after 150k miles (Volvo, and will probably do the Prius too coming year (~111k miles now))
     
    #26 R-P, Jan 17, 2015
  7. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    I am sure this link has been provided before, but the information contained is well worth reading giving just about all the information on oil you need to know.[​IMG]

    John (Britprius)
     
    #27 Britprius, Jan 17, 2015
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