Oil, Yeah...I know.

10,000

 

synthetic.

 

It is hard to see when the oil is fresh. Most new vehicles are calling for 0w-20, even full size GM trucks. Modern day engines are built with tighter tolerance and run much cleaner (cleaner oil, longer intervals). At 5k the oil is just light brown. I agree it is water think especially if you change your oil hot but the engineers know what they are doing just follow the prescription.

 

I think it's a double whammy: the oil is very thin when new, and the Prius engine seems to be really easy on it. Our previous Honda Civic Hybrid uses 0W20 as well, and I've got NO problem reading the dipstick on it, especially when oil change time is approaching. It looks much darker/thicker by then, and has that used oil smell.

By oil change time the Prius oil still looks like pampered maple syrup, lol. The dipstick I've found tricky to read. What I've learned:

Ignore the oil running along the edges of the dipstick, well above the top mark. Look for a distinct, full-width break in the oil marking. Flip it over, look at both sides: one side's often easier to read, the other a mess. Repeat several times, have strong light.

 

Well said Mendel!

 

Not 5,000 miles------10,000 miles. It's in your maintenance manual.

 

The oil is good for 10k and that is from Toyota, as long as your using a good brand oil and the right type nobody has proved any extra wear with 10k oil changes. The reason why it is thinner and lighter than your bike is part of the reason why a car that can carry 5 people and cargo also gets better mpg than your bike.

 

That is from Honda USA. That interval varies, around the world.

 

Oil and filter change at 5,000 miles is listed under "Additional Maintenance Items for Special Operating Conditions", "Driving on dirt roads or dusty roads","Driving while towing, using a car-top carrier, or heavy vehicle loading", "Repeated trips of less than five miles in temperatures below 32°F / 0°C:", "Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for a long distance such as police, taxi or door-to-door delivery use".
If your conditions fall within those descriptions, then your oil & filter change interval will be 5,000 miles.
If not, then 10,000 miles.

 

wait until you take it in at 5,000 and ask for the first free oil change. i'd like to be a fly on the wall.

 

i actually did my first at 5,000. i like to clean out the break in garbage before going too far, then every 10,000 after or once a year. it was a knock down drag out to get the dealer to do it though.

 

i believe it. when you consider that time it takes to go to the dealer and wait, you're proxy ahead of the game paying for oil and filter and knowing it's done right. i have to spend an extra hour every time, siphoning out the extra oil they put in.

 

I am taking my factory fill to 10k miles and having a used oil analysis done. I am at 9,500 miles and will share my report when it comes back.

The first two oil changes are free but I will be doing them myself. Its not worth my time to go waste half a day at a stealership.

 

thanks pmike, that will be useful info for all of us.