Dealer did oil change when not scheduled

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by DumbMike, Feb 7, 2013.

  1. DumbMike

    DumbMike Active Member

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    I took my car to the dealer to do the 35K maintenance. Basically, it's only to do some inspection and tire rotation. However, they also changed my oil by mistake (no charge). After some discussion with the intake person, she wasn't sure what would happen when I bring my car in for the 40K maintenance. Personally, I'm not going to mention this mistake and I think they'll do another oil change for the 40K maintenance.

    FYI, the best thing about having the 35K maintenance done by the dealer (oil change mistake notwithstanding) is that they washed my car. It's been too cold to do that myself.

    But I have to correct something: When I first took my car in for the 5K maintenance, I wanted them to do the oil change at that time and not wait until 10K. They told me that I am alloted a set amount of money for the 2 year free maintenance and as long as I don't exceed that amount, I can rearrange what gets done and not get charged. When I brought my car in for the 35K maintenance (I have the maintenance plan), I was told that they will only do whatever the "coupon" says (oil change mistake notwithstanding). None of the "as long as I don't exceed the allocated amount of money."

    Something changed in those 2 years.

    Mike
     
    #1 DumbMike, Feb 7, 2013
  2. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Nothing changed other than Service Rep's are like the wind, constantly changing direction and velocity.
     
    #2 JMD, Feb 7, 2013
  3. etobia

    etobia Member

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    My car is on the synthetic oil that is only changed every 10,000 miles. Isn't the synthetic oil the standard for Prius?
     
    #3 etobia, Feb 7, 2013
  4. DumbMike

    DumbMike Active Member

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    I see you are in Southern California. I've done all of my maintenance at Santa Monica Toyota. They've always been very nice to me. This is the first time I've had some conflicting information. FYI, I also sent an email to Toyota corporate, but no response, yet.

    Mike
     
    #4 DumbMike, Feb 7, 2013
    JMD likes this.
  5. DumbMike

    DumbMike Active Member

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    You are correct. I'm on the "old" side, so it's difficult to get away from changing the oil every 3K miles. I feel like I'm breaking some law just with changing oil every 5K miles. Every 10K miles? Yikes, that's a felony in my mind. But I've come around, except for the fact that I don't know what "schedule" I'm on now with the dealer changing my oil at 35K miles. If they change it at 40K, then I'm back on schedule. If they don't, then I will have to remember to have the oil changed at 45K. Too much to remember.

    Mike
     
    #5 DumbMike, Feb 7, 2013
  6. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Mike just have em change it again at 40,000 miles if it makes it easier for everyone. In the scheme of things this is nothing to worry about.
     
    #6 JMD, Feb 7, 2013
  7. The Dude

    The Dude Member

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    Beautiful and amazingly expensive synthetic oil! Yes, every 10k miles. Beautiful. The difference in cost is definitely offset by the time saved from going to the dealership! Time is money...
     
    #7 The Dude, Feb 7, 2013
  8. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    The Owner's Manual and Warranty Guide for my 2010 Prius do not mention synthetic oil, they do call for 0W20 oil.
    From page 560:
    "Oil grade: ILSAC multigrade engine oil
    Recommended viscosity: SAE 0W-20"

    As it happens the 0W20 oils on the market are synthetic so that's what we use. Even if a 0W20 non-synthetic were available I would use synthetic oil because it is superior.
     
    #8 tumbleweed, Feb 7, 2013
  9. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    The difference is Toyota is paying for the 1st 2 years/25000 miles. The OCI was increased to 10000 miles during the 2010 model year. If your contract says oil change every 5000 miles then that is what you paid for and should get and it sounds like you are happy with that.
     
    #9 JimN, Feb 7, 2013
  10. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Regardless what you call it (Honda calls it blend), you cannot formulate 0W oils without synthetic base-stocks.
     
    #10 Former Member 68813, Feb 8, 2013
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