Hope this isn't too long-winded, but I'd like to accurately describe what's going on and get a few opinions... here goes... Got my first oil change around 4,800 miles, the oil level was a little high on the stick but I decided not to worry. Put about 1,000 miles on the car then decided to measure the overfill level. After repeated checks, I measured approx. 5/16" over the full mark. After reading all the posts about oil change overfill I decided to go back to the dealer. They decided to "remove about a half quart then slowly add oil until it was at the full mark". After they finished, I checked the level and was satisfied it was at the full mark. Getting the car home, checking it hot and cold revealed still about 1/4" over full so I bought a siphon pump and removed around 8 ounces. I noticed the siphoned oil was very dark in color. Went to the local auto store and bought a quart of Mobile 1 0W20 Fully Synthetic just to compare colors. Notice the photo... Any thoughts on the darkness of the oil? I must add, when checking the oil on the stick it's no where near this dark; the color seems more golden. I'm still concerned though. Maybe I'm just a wimp, but I hate the thought of going back to the dealer with pictures and having to deal with the whole situation. I've even considered driving to a nearby city and having the Toyota dealer there replace oil and filter at my expense. Anyway, thanks for your opinions.
well, i can assure you the Toyota 0W20 oil is almost clear when new. it's got a slight golden color. are you sure you siphoned engine oil?
I'm really wondering now what 0W20 with 1,000 miles on it looks like... I put the siphon tube down the oil dipstick hole. I'm no mechanic but I assume that would draw nothing but oil?
Black oil is normal and is a sign that it is doing its job. All motor oil is loaded with surfactants to pick up soot and other debris to prevent buildup within the engine. So, clear oil turning black right after a change is expected.
So, clear oil turning black right after a change is expected.[/quote] I don't agree, I would not ! be cool with engine oil with that dark of color from a recent oil change in my prius. I own an 04 and have changed the oil about 8 times putting on 50k miles since I bought the car used with 108k. I drive alot of miles, and am extended the oil change length to roughly 8k miles with conventional oil. I do this because the car uses around one half a quart of oil in that time (per 8,ooo miles) , and it very slowly gets dark. I also am driving close to 5,000 miles a month, no chance of moisture sludging. . Anyway the darkness of the oil in the picture above is hard to determine , it would be easier with a dipstick picture, but I'm thinking it really shouldn't be that dark, that possibly someone just didn't change the oil in the first place. Do you remember the darkness of the oil at your first check? Was it clear appearing? The initial oil change is probably the most important one, with doubts, I would personally would go ahead and change it myself or have it changed by someone else. Edit; I've wondered why the oil does stay so clear looking, my first car a 68 Ford got terrible mileage and that oil would quickly go black. I believe its the unburned hydrocarbons that are responsible, the prius is a real champ in this area.
Thanks for the reply northwichita. I've been thinking about this a lot and have decided I'm just obsessing with my new Prius. Here's a recent shot (the 'new' oil now has 1,400 miles on it) of the dipstick in which the oil is a nice golden brown. Sorry for the blurred pic but it's good enough to determine the color of the oil. This is the same oil as the dark oil in the original post. Not sure why the big difference... ???
Yes my friend, just ENJOY your new Prius. I'm sure it is fine. The Prius is the best of all the cars I had at not turning the oil dark until it has alot of miles on it. Mine has 88k on it now and it's only now just beginning to turn alittle darker then normal just before it's due for it's oil change. And it's very difficult to get the same, exactly on full reading even if the dealer is very careful. A slight incline one way or the other or temp. change of the engine will affect the reading if you obcess over it. In fact most Gen2 came slightly overfilled from the factory (at least on the dipstick). So just enjoy your Prius.:cheer2:
Sounds to me like you might enjoy doing your own oil changes? A lot of us do and it's pretty easy. John has a nice procedure with pictures here: John's Stuff - Toyota Prius and more click on "Changing Oil" If you let the dealer do it be sure to take in your own oil or at least be very specific about what you want, otherwise you might end up with whatever they have in the bulk drum. I ask my dealer what they would use and they told me they would use Toyota oil if I requested it otherwise they use 10W40 Pennzoil out of the drum. They will also change it for $18 including a filter if I bring in my own oil. I do my own and use Mobil 1 with Toyota filters. If you decide to do that be sure to keep a good record indicating VIN, date, mileage, and type of oil used for warranty purposes.
