First Oil Change...Wait 10K Miles?

The thing is though this is a dealer recommendation not a Toyota manufacturer recommendation, the dealer is going to make a profit from the extra oil change.

 

Well I've always changed synthetic oil in my other vehicles @ 5k. And when I think about it, the ICE in the hybrid motors only run about 50% of the time. So for me, 10k sounds about right.


Galaxy Nexus ? 2

 

I went to the same school and had both the engine and transaxle oil changed in our new 2010 Prius at 5,000 miles. I provided a sample container to test the transaxle oil. Sure enough, microscopic examination revealed sealant beads and small 'machining' particles.

Bob Wilson

 

The gen2 Prius has been around now for over eight years. When it first came out Toyota choose an oil grade for the engine that was available at that time in each country and was suitable for the engine. Over the years new oils have been developed that exceed the original specification and improve engine ware life, fuel consumption, and oil longevity "more miles between changes".

This does not mean the original oil choice was wrong but the newer oils that come along are better, and sticking by what was in the book eight years ago is not wrong, but nether is using later better specification oils that are listed in later hand books for exactly the same engine, and can improve engine life, fuel consumption, less pollution, and be lighter on your pocket.

 

Those particles should never find there way around the engine if the oil filter is doing it's job, they will always be present in an engine that has been run. I am not saying it is wrong to change the oil early but it is a waste of good oil.

Years ago cylinder blocks were made of cast iron and the cylinders bored and honed. It was left to the pistons and rings to polish them up (running in). Aluminium is now used for blocks and generally chromed liners are used for the bores these require little or no running in and since they are not bored within the block do not carry machined particles with them.

The manufacture of cast iron blocks required large quantities of sand when being cast and lots of grinding and machining, all difficult to clean out. Aluminium blocks use a lost wax or similar production method and require in comparison very little machining. All other parts are made separately and are cleaned before assembly making modern engines infinitely cleaner in construction than there early counterparts.

 

I just finished recovering my password:

Because of the engine oil filter, I don't worry about it. But the transaxle oil only has a screen designed to hold 'chips'. Since it is not filtered, an early transaxle oil change makes a lot of sense.

Bob Wilson

 

I would change the trans fluid early too, simply because of it's design. The engine is another story, and I'd still go with the 10,000mi. change.

 

I changed mine early, but just because sampling indicated some above average dirt (i.e. silicon) on the sample report. However, that's just me. I could also look at the sample report and clearly see that everything about the engine and the oil was in excellent health, so there was no need, other than old habits die hard.

 

I did mine early at 5k. I had just finished a 3200 mile road trip that experienced extremes both in temperatures and altitudes, so for less that $30, I invested in a Toyota filter, and 3.9 quarts of 0W-20 Mobil 1. Cheap insurance.

 

I changed the tranny fluid in our '09 last week at 30k miles. It was the worst stuff I've ever drained out of anything. The stream looked like black, black, black cherry, but in the pan it looked like purpley swirley grunge. It reminded me of the stuff at the bottom of a batch of wine. Blech! No question in my mind that it was good to change the stuff.

 

How did the oil look? Was it really black and dirty?

Galaxy Nexus ? 2

 

How do you see this information?

 

I completely agree. I will change my synthetic oil at the Toyota recommended interval of 10k. And my first one is free. My tire rotation and balance is also free since I upgraded from the Turanza's to Ecopias at my local Discount Tire Store. (Free tire rotation and balancing for the life of the tires)
So I guess that leaves fluid level checks, which I am certain I can do.

 

It was pretty dark. I wouldn't say it was "dirty", but dark like I had some upper end temperatures in it. It would have been fine for 10k I'm sure, I just like the idea of 5k oil changes. Not a recommendation to change early, just my preference, to each their own.

 

Awesome! It delivered excellent fuel economy (47.6 actual mileage for the entire trip). It was comfortable the entire trip - including the return home 1300 mi "straight through" tag team drive shared with my wife. And lastly the performance was better than I expected and everything I had wanted. The cruise was normally set at 75mph, I still had enough power to pass on 2 lane hiways (never exceeded 90, and then up to that only in short bursts). LA traffic was no problems - "cut and thrust" I5 traffic was no problem. The air conditioner worked flawlessly. Death Valley (120 degrees, -200ft below sea level). And got admiring looks and thumbs up numerous times along the route.