Toyota Engine Oil

Yes 5W 30 syn oil is the stuff. No need for toyoda oil . They don't refine oil . They just sell other brands .

 

The Toyota oil has a good reputation though; likely currently made by Mobil, from what I've read. That's all I've ever used, so far. Pick it up while at the dealership getting oil filter and drain bolt washer. Though recently the price has gone through the roof.

Oil specs are in the Owner's Manual. You can download a pdf of that from Toyota Tech Info, in the "manuals" section.

Repair Manual excerpt for second gen oil change attached:

 

You could look at the oil fill cap for the weight (assuming it hasn’t been replaced).

 

I get better results with 0W-20 full synthetic and Toyota actually realized this and changed the oil type for Prius in models 2010 or newer... As for what label to pay for... In my research I've found that there's just a few manufacturers of synthetic oil but several dozen labels and the cheapest synthetic oil is often sourced from the same manufacturer as the most expensive synthetic oil. So most important part is to make sure you pick your label based on the color scheme and font and logo design that most appeals to you.

 

Yeah, if you want to base your oil on least amount of packaging the smaller dealers will get motor oil by the barrell, but the large dealers have a storage tank and get it without any packaging because a truck pumps it into the tank.

 

Since I've owned it my car has never been driven when the ambient temperature is below 40F, and for the last several months not below 80F. The last oil change they put in 10W30 instead of 5W30, but I let it slide since it is never very cold here. Any reason to think that one could even measure the difference in MPG or engine wear of 10W30 vs. 5W30 under these driving conditions? (OW20 sure, but that is 20 vs 30 when the engine and the air are both hot.)

 

Prior owner and I never used synthetic in my 2007.
Toyota dealer specifies conventional Toyota oil, 5W30 every 5,000 miles. At nearly 200k no visible oil consumption. SAE grade and weight of oil is on the filler cap.

 

Blue Loctite?

 

^ That's the washer, stuck to the oil pan. If you haven't buttoned things up already: put a slim flat-blade against the edge, give a gentle tap with a hammer.

 

My usual approach is to stick the slim flat-blade at a low angle into the washer - you can see how there's a little space there between the washer's inner opening and the threads behind it, so you can get the little flat-blade behind it there with no risk to the threads if you're paying attention. Then just pop it off. I've never needed a hammer.