Oil change door on 2015 Prius

A few owners got the underpanel replaced; can't recall if there was any significant change with the new one.

I've done all my own oil changes. With the first oil change I bent back that door. Well, tried to: couldn't believe what was happening, then entire panel was flexing, and it was obvious the plastic was too rigid to do this on an ongoing basis.

From then on I've removed the entire panel at oil changes. Over 5 years, oil changes every six months, no problems. Also, have yet to need to replace any of the push-in fasteners. Whenever they're off, I wash them out with soapy water, sluice all the grit out of them.

 

I did replace mine. The new one had a different part # and the plastic "hinge" did seem a little "beefier."
Like you, I've been removing the entire panel for oil changes to get a good look/see at everything else under there.

 

FWIW, the Toyota Repair Manual's description of an oil change makes no mention of the flap, says to remove the whole panel, AND the one ahead of it, which really makes no sense.

 

i wonder if anyone has crawled under a '16 yet.

 

IF I got one, I'd probably sleep under it, for a night or two.

 

well, we don't have to worry about that, do we.

 

And I'm sure every dealer follows the repair manual when doing oil changes.

 

Yeah, especially regarding tightening torque on the drain plug and filter cover.