1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Six Month Maintenance?

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Ashley7, Aug 20, 2012.

  1. Ashley7

    Ashley7 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    545
    222
    0
    Location:
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    Hi all,

    I don't drive a whole lot, so by 6 months, my car will have a little over 3,000 miles on it. The first scheduled maintenance is 5,000 miles/6 months. It sounds like they check the fluids and rotate the tires, along with a general inspection.

    Should I really go in for this appointment with only 3,000 miles on the car? Doesn't really make sense to me to rotate the tires that quickly. Should I wait til I hit 5,000? Or just go anyway, since it's free? Or do I need to go on their timeframe to continue to qualify for the free maintenance?

    Any thoughts are appreciated!
     
  2. Mr Incredible

    Mr Incredible Chance favors the prepared mind.

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2008
    955
    506
    0
    Location:
    Neb
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    If it were me I would probably wait until 5k miles to take it in. I don't see any great value in rotating 3k mile tires.

    If you have any questions about what the dealer thinks about the subject, give a quick call to the shop side.
     
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,817
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Don't waste your time. Change the oil every 10,000 miles. Run Mobil 1 Synthetic oil. As far as rotating the tires don't do that eiher until you see the front tires start to show more wear than the rears. On my Gen 2 that didn't happen till 15,000 miles. Get in the habit of looking at the tires critically every time you approach the car. Look for nails and unusual wear patterns. Look at them like your life depends on them because it does.
     
  4. managerman

    managerman Prius v Nerd

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    228
    110
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Is there an issue with the Toyota 0W-20 Synthetic...or is it fine until the Free 2 year service is over...then switch to Mobil 1?

    -M
     
  5. NewJerseyPrius

    NewJerseyPrius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2012
    5
    2
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Follow the manufacturer's maintenance requirements and take the four free service appointments. No brainer.
     
    JLee81 likes this.
  6. managerman

    managerman Prius v Nerd

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    228
    110
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Agreed!!

    -M
     
  7. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,817
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I doubt your dealer is putting in Synthetic for the 2 year free. The key word being FREE. They are probably using there crapola vat oil. Stuff I wouldn't put in a lawnmower.
    If it was my car I would use Mobil 1 0-20.
     
  8. Ashley7

    Ashley7 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    545
    222
    0
    Location:
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    I'm sure the dealership gets reimbursement from Toyota for the free maintenance, so they had better use the oil they're meant to use.

    Thanks for your thoughts. I might just call up the service department and see what they suggest.
     
  9. managerman

    managerman Prius v Nerd

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    228
    110
    0
    Location:
    Columbus, OH
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    No..I think they are putting 0W-20 synthetic in the Prius C...I have read that in a few places on PC. I am pretty sure 0W-20 comes in synthetic only.

    -M
     
  10. KaliforniaKid

    KaliforniaKid 2013 Prius v Five 2012 Priuc c Four

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2012
    184
    63
    0
    Location:
    Nuthern Kalifornia
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    My local Toyota dealership has 0W-20 in 55 Gallon blue poly drums for their service department and probably dispenses exactly 3.9 quarts on an oil and filter change. I've seen the drums and they were unmarked, could be AMSOIL for all I know.

    But they keep plenty of cases of TOYOTA BRANDED 1 quart bottles for do-it-yourselfers willing to pay marked up prices.
     
  11. Oldwolf

    Oldwolf Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2011
    820
    110
    0
    Location:
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    They use Toyota 0W-20 motor oil, a synthetic made for them by Exxon Mobil. It is every bit as good (some say better) than M1 0W-20. Once my free changes are used up I plan to use Mobil 1 just because I can get it cheaper than the Toyota oil. Use either one with full confidence.
     
    managerman likes this.
  12. polkadotttie55

    polkadotttie55 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2022
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Victoria, British Columbia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I have had a message on my Prius Prime screen telling me it is time for maintenance. Toyota dealership says they will charge me $157 for inspecting the fluid levels (no mention of tire rotation). I have 6700 kms on my vehicle, and they say oil change isn't due until 16000 km. (10000 miles about). I think this is just the dealership trying to get more money out of me. They say they will inspect my brakes. At only 4000 miles, I think I can risk it. What do you think?
     
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,817
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    $157 to open the hood to check the fluids.

    yes this sure does look like they want some money out of you.