20k Mile Service - I think they've used the wrong oil - again!

Um .... no, that is not how it works. The original spec in 1911 may have called for that, but the information presented is remarkably out of date

I'm not sure where this 11 C thing came from either.

The SAE J300 standard covers oil specs for the "W" portion, and for the operating temp portion

The SAE has determined that a maximum Mini Rotary Viscometer viscosity of 60,000 centiPoise, or 600 Poise, cannot be exceeded in cold weather starting. Beyond that, the oil pump inlet will cavitate and/or the oil pump drive will shear off

FYI the standard used to be 30,000 cP. The SAE doubled this upon complaints from oil companies

So, the way the test works, the test procedure is covered under ASTM D4684. It is based strictly on the maximum allowed cold pumping viscosity, 600 Poise, at the rated temperature. Each viscosity grade has a maximum cutoff, which I will put below

Oil-----------Maximum allowed viscosity---------temp

0W --------- 60,000 centiPoise --------------- -40 C
5W --------- 60,000 centiPoise ------------- -- -35 C
10W -------- 60,000 centiPoise ---------------- -30 C

The catch is that the cranking viscosity cutoff is set 5 C above the pumping viscosity. That is confusing at first, but what it means is that a 0W oil only has to be "good" to -35 C to pass the test. A 5W only has to be "good" to -30 C to pass the test

Individual oil companies can list results from their own tests. For example, Mobil 1 0W-20 sold here has a rated MRV of 5,642 centiPoise at -40, it easily passes the cold pumping test

 

For the future: bring your own oil of the correct grade. It's often cheaper and you can make sure the bottles are empty when you leave.

 

I don't want to upset Prius owners..really.
But one of the reasons I decided to pass on buying a Prius was the numerous threads about getting a Oil Change done correctly.

I don't own a garage. I don't find doing my own oil changes as something more convient or easier than NOT doing my own oil changes. I'd rather just have it done. I find it very disturbing that so many Prius Owners seem to have problems with their Toyota dealership being able to execute this rather basic maintenance task.

Great, do your own oil changes if you are so motivated and able BUT realize a lot of people don't want to do them themselves and/or sometimes due to age and other physical reasons simply cannot.

Toyota needs to get the message. Evidently too many dealerships don't do Prius Oil changes correctly...it is something they should be able to provide and it's something owners should be able to expect to be handled correctly.

 

No matter what car you get you need to change oil. Well Except the electric only ones need to change oil.

And as far as I am aware that you've got a Honday Fit or Jazz as we call it and it needs to get oil changed as well.

Honda is the same as Toyota. When I owned the Acura RL I changed my own oil as well because once you know you can't trust them or when it becomes too expensive for them to do it you will do it yourself. It is not just an Toyota issue.

 

I know for a fact that they don't carry 0W-20 oil here. Seriously how many 0W-20 oil do you find in the UK? I can't see any at all.

Even if you complain it won't be enough people for it to happen. Sure the manual states 0W-20 but 5W-30 works too.

If I still own my Prius after this two weeks then I will also switch my oil back to 0W-30 (which they don't have either) for better engine protection.

And you being a cabbie I would assume that engine protection is very important? Yes I know 2 miles extra will save you some money but you just can't for sure to know what kind of oil you've got in your engine?

To use your feeling or intuition is hardly a tool?

Good luck to your endevour. I think to be 100% sure you have the oil you want in your car is to buy the oil and ask the dealer to put it in for you instead and hopefully give you a small discount for using your own oil. And make sure you watch them put it in.

Seriously my brother works for Toyota and I can get my oil changed and oil filter changed and air filter changed for free but I have bought a lot of Armsoil 0W-20.

Actually!!! Since I am selling my Prius for the Lexus 450H I might sell my Armsoil if you are intrested.

 

Winnipeg has >100 Prius taxi cabs in operation. This is in temps from -40 C in winter to over +35 C in summer. They don't do anything special to those cabs, they "might" get oil changes on time but with whatever oil is on sale

I have yet to see a Prius taxi blow clouds of blue smoke - unlike the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors they use. Most taxi cabs are written off in crashes before they are worn out

 

I agree but what the OP and apparently alot of other people don't realize is they don't use there best mechanic's to change oil at the dealer. The dealer is not where you should get your oil changed.

Its considered a scut job at the dealer and usually is relegated to someone you really don't want working on your car. A mechanic will not get paid anything changing oil on a customers car. He gets paid to change parts. Lots of parts. A dealer mechanic usually does not change oil. Or at least is not stuck on the oil change lane.

I noticed at my dealer for instance the oil change is done out back in a specific area in the building and there were 2 guys back there doing it and neither spoke any english at all. Not a bit. I know this cause I asked them a question and got hands in the air and mumbling. I won't let guys like that loose on my new car. There not trained mechanics and they are getting paid minimum wage.

The OP also states he fears they can't even change the oil correctly unless the service manager is there. So he pretty much know's he will never be satisfied there and always apprehensive.

I would try to find a good local mechanic shop to get your oil changed. Guys that know what there doing and don't mind you watching. Tip them and they will take extra good care of your car and maybe even notice impending issues you otherwise might miss like nails in the tires or a ripped cv boot especially if you put a tremendous amount of miles on your car like the OP infers.
Good Luck!.

 

And how do you know for sure they put 0W-20 oil in for you?

I just checked with my brother again and they ahve no 0W-20 in their dealership. They can't produce or put in something they don't have. I am just wondering how do you know they put the 0W-20 in? Since the oil is coming out of a dispenser?

I know I have 0W-20 in because I put it in myself in the dealer garage but I am using Armsoil. We can't even get 0w-20 moible 1 here and trust me I've looked everywhere. Even my brother can't get his hands on Toyota's 0W-20. I am not saying or implying anything but I don't trust the dealers at all.

 

Glad to hear that everything is going fine… And glad to know that I did make the right choice with my oil change.

About the tires, I did read some magazine about tire testing and changed my Ecos to better ones. They have much bigger roller resistance, but grip is far better. So I did sacrifice some economy to safety.

 

I also favor increased road safety over a slight improvement in economy. Doesn't matter if you gain 2 mpg if you hydroplane and get yourself killed

 

i called my dealers shop today ! they dont even have 0w-20 here in greece!

i cant believe it! they claim tha protocole is 5w-20 ......
i am going to have to find 0w-20 on my own and hand it to them for the oil changes!!!!!!

the funny thing is the closest i get is 0w-30

 

You can go to Toyota’s spare part desk and order Toyota 0W20 oil. But I think that this is not the cheapest way to do it.

Or order it from Internet?

 

Although I used 0W-20 in my 2004 Prius, similar vintage Prius taxis operated in Winnipeg got whatever bulk oil was on sale.

They are operated in a climate that can reach -40 C in winter and +35 C in summer. I have yet to see a Prius taxi trailing a cloud of blue smoke

It's fairly easy to spot a Ford Crown Victoria taxi trailing a cloud of blue smoke

 

0W-30 is fine.

I am using 0W-20 now but I was going to change it to 0W-30 in the future before I decided to sell my car.

So far the only 0W-20 I can find in the UK is Armsoil (from America)
Not sure why we can't find Mobile 1 0w-20. And definitly they don't have Toyota 0w-20 here that I see in the forums.

I am very skeptical about Grumppies oil change if it is really 0w-20 inside his engine.

 

For my stock tires I got the Michline Primacy HP and they are fantastic. Surprised we've got different stock tires.

 

Maybe I have to start sell oil to you guys via courier..? In here 0W oils are just premium oils, but usually can be found from any repair store.