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First oil change at 10k or 5k?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by mediahound, Jan 15, 2014.

  1. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I'm undecided, should I do a first or change at the toyota specified 10k or earlier at 5k to remove new engine toxins?
     
  2. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    10k or 12 months with free Toyota Care.

    I first changed mine by myself at 3,300 miles.
     
  3. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    I did mine at 10k, and found no problem with the vehicle.
     
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  4. Gee3

    Gee3 Junior Member

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    My dealer said to come back at 5k for my first oil change.
     
  5. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    they always say that, service writers don't know better.
     
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  6. Gee3

    Gee3 Junior Member

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    Haha!! True! But I'm under the 2 year/25k mile free maintenance program and if they want to change my oil at 5k I'm fine with it! ;)


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  7. Jon Hagen

    Jon Hagen Active Member

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    My early 2010 got its first change at the then standard 5K miles. Soon after, they changed to 10,000 and have done it at 10,000 ever since. Sure cant hurt to do a 5000 cleanout, that will contain all the casting flash, sealer and dirt,plus most of the break in wear metal.
    My driving is all long trips, the shortest being about 50- 80 miles round trip. It delights me how clean the Toyota synthetic still is at 10,000 miles, plus the oil level is still at full.
     
  8. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    The first Toyota specified service is at 5k but does not include oll change for free. Just a tire rotation and car check out/inspection.
     
  9. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    I would do 5k just to be safe
     
  10. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Yeah, I think I have decided to do so.
     
  11. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    To answer your specific question...5,000 miles however...500 is preferable for the first. A motor always has a normal break-in period where excess metal, assembly lube, ect. content is higher. FWIW modern mass produced engines are are better built, but they all have to cut in. Consider it like the transmission fluid. Toyota says lifetime, but we all know that's wrong too.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    New engine toxins? ;)

    In Canada, the oil change interval is still 6 months or 8000 km (whichever comes first). 8000 km is more-or-less the same as 5000 miles. And if that seems justified by the more northern climate: we're on the west coat, it rarely gets below freezing here. Meanwhile, the north-central US in the deep freeze...

    There is NO problem with accelerating the US schedule if you prefer, well apart from additional expense/hassle. 10000 miles probably is fine, but it's your baby, err on the side of caution?

    As frodoz737 mentions, Toyota also tells you to never change the transaxle fluid, maybe something to keep in mind.

    Whoever's doing your oil changes, ensure the engine undercover is removed completely for the change, as opposed to just bending back the flap at the drain bolt. The cover's a poor design, the plastic is too thin/brittle to take repeated flexing.
     
  13. Maine Pilot

    Maine Pilot Senior Member

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    Like Gee 3,
    [QUOTE I'm under the 2 year/25k mile free maintenance program and if they want to change my oil at 5k I'm fine with it! ][/QUOTE] I bit the bullet and waited for the 10K mark for the first oil change. I asked to be present when they drained the oil and was surprised how clean the oil was. Of course just coloration isn't a fool-proof method of contamination, but compared to my other ICE vehicles, this looked almost the same as new oil!

    The way I look at it, if Toyota recommends the 10K change intervals and is willing to stand by their warranty, why not? It saves me $$$.

    By the way, I've now dropped the traditional 3K oil changes on my other ICE cars and have gone to 5K now. Now that I've retired and have 4 cars, (actually 5, if you include my Harley), I have to change oil in them only once per vehicle each year!
     
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  14. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I spoke to the dealership as well as an independent shop and both said go 10k. They said the reason is the synthetic oil encapsulates any engine deposits very well and this is the main reason Toyota upped the service interval to 10,000. miles.

    Both actually said I'd be wasting money if I change it sooner and pay for it since Toyota does it free at 10k. And, it's like $70. to pay for it.
     
  15. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    doing the oil change yourself is cheaper than 70$ for sure lol...
     
  16. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Not really, I charge $150. for that. ;)
     
  17. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    you charge people 150$ for just an oil change? lol...
     
  18. pmike

    pmike Member

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    I follow manufacturers suggestions and even though I have 2 year/25k included I will be changing my own oil. No one touches my cars unless its warranty work (or body work or new tires <I do my own rotations>).

    The car just hit 1k last week and it still hard to see the oil on the dip stick. I remember the old days that within 100s of miles the it was pretty tan and at 1k was very dark.
     
  19. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    This is worth repeating...
    Yep, they said lifetime transmission fluid too. First oil/filter change is the most important and should always be done early to remove sealants, assembly lube and metal that will be present as any "new" or "rebuilt" engine cuts in.
     
  20. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I don't not believe you, but also do believe the synthetic oil can encapsulate that stuff well.
     
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  21. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    ...and you do what for a living? That is your choice, but I am a mechanic. I started on lawn mowers as a kid and now work on $50,000,000 Aircraft. So what do I know? ;)