who is doing extended oil change intervals in prius?

When I needed my first oil change, my dealer quoted $120. That is precisely the moment I decided to spend $120 on tools, and have done it myself ever since. (Technically, that quote was for 10,000 mile service; but that's really just the oil change and tire rotation and not much else that they won't already do for free...)

 

Does anyone know the cost of a normal oil change on the prius from a toyota dealership? Not the 10/20/30k mi service, just an oil change.

Does the car take full synthetic or? I don't even know. Wondering..

Thank you.

 

I've been using this oil extraction pump from Griot's Garage since 1999 on all my vehicle. it's really easy and less messy. I just jack up the front on jack stands, changing the oil filter is a breeze with the same oil filter wrench for my 99 Corolla.

The only issue is you need to bend the access door for the oil filter in order to have enough clearance. My best oil change time is about 35 minutes from start to finished.

 

I am doing 15K (also using an additive, but not going to get into this to avoid an endless discussion)
However, I am posting here because I am about to go for 25-30K until oil FILTER change only. Oil stays longer, 50K or more

The weakest link in Prius is an awful paper oil filter. The thing is unable to live past a year (literally disintegrates during second yearoil cartridge falling apart? | PriusChat). In addition to minuscule capacity (for accumulating debris).
The oil I use on soon to be a dozen cars is from synlube.com
Just state here SOME personal facts:
-I experimented with this oil for ~8 years now
-ALL my 6 vehicles and machinery use synlube (generator, lawn-mowers, except motorcycles with wet clutch)
-highest mileage of my vehicles >170K
-longest went without oil change ~150K
-hag 0 problems even theoretically related to oil
-no engine required any work, except maintenance (timing belt/chain, plugs etc)

(I believe they do it for like 30-40 years and being told "it's impossible" from the get go..
Neither I am going to get involved in debunking "nay"-sayers. But you can torture the firm with questions, as to order there you must first do e-mail communication where you get comprehensive information on YOUR vehicle from the owner)

 

I use AMSOIL in all my vehicles. I don't do "extended drain" in the Prius yet, but my pickup went with changes once a year, and my motorcycle gets it once a year (max recommended is 3X the normal change interval, so 10K/year is still good).

Since the Prius says once every 10K after the first 10K, I'd say you're good based on TWO issues.

1. Ensure you buy the top quality AMSOIL version available for max protection.

2. Buy an extra quart and filter. Last I checked, AMSOIL recommended you still change the filter in 6 months and top off any oil lost (so long as the oil won't run out when you remove the filter). I did this in my pickup truck.

I don't believe AMSOIL recommends going longer than 12 months WITHOUT changing the oil and filter...regardless of miles.

 

What happens after the year is up?

I can certainly agree with the "minuscule capacity" part. Engine oil filters have generally been shrinking ever since they were invented, now to the point of being ridiculously minuscule. Partially, that's justifiable, in that, as long as they're in good condition, modern engines using modern fuels and lubricants likely don't produce as much debris for the filter to capture as 1950s cars did. I've torn apart oil filters after up to about 20,000 miles, and found remarkably little visible junk caught in them.

 

I do agree with the 6 month filter change, but, suggest an extra 4.5 quarts for this feat. Given the filter is a cartridge, not seeing how it can be done without losing most of the oil.

 

It depends on the vehicle. My pickup truck has the oil filter WAY above the oil pan. Take it off and nothing happens.

Technically, on the Prius, you only loose the oil in the filter housing...way less than 1 quart (US).

On my motorcycle, I think taking the filter off would likely result in more oil loss, it's near the bottom of the motor block. I had another motorcycle where the filter was at the bottom of the bike.

 

They do if you use the AMSOIL filter. I do 15-17K changes with the AMSOIL filter.

 

Just for another perspective:

Honda's have an in-dash Maintenance Minder that counts down in percent, then displays a letter/number code which you look up in the Owners Manual, tells you what needs doing. It's not just counting distance travelled, a bit smarter. Not sure of what-all, maybe factoring in number of start ups, coolant temps and so on. Anyway:

It alternates between service "A" and "B" for oil changes. "A" is oil change only, "B" is oil and filter change. Bottom line: the filter is only changed at every second oil change. At least that's what Honda's saying, the dealerships treat you like you're nuts if ask them to not change the filter.

 

That's because the maintenance/service people know better than marketing/sales at corporate. Why anyone would run clean oil through a dirty filter is beyond me. "If anything" it would be the opposite.

 

I'd trust Honda before the dealership, with the latter's track record. My take: the service department had never noticed the change in policy.

 

They would've noticed the change in policy if it had potential to increase their sales instead of potential to decrease sales. That's a reasonable policy, considering there's normally remarkably little "dirt" caught in an oil filter on an engine in good condition. A filter should still be fine when oil of the same age is due for changing. Of course that's not the case if abnormal amounts of particulate rubbish have been in the oil for any reason.

 

nvrmnd

 

I'll say it. You won't find a real mechanic out there in the world that would "advise or recommend" changing the oil and not changing the disposable oil filter together on cars. That's not ignorance, that's just plain stupidity.

 

For reference, here's an excerpt from the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid Owners Manual. Note, the Maintenance Minder always alternates: one time it'll be Service A, the next is B. I also checked a 2010 Pilot Owners Manual, it's similar:



My take: Honda's engineers found the filter was far from clogged at the first oil change, accordingly made this policy. It's got several benefits: less used oil filters in the environment, less cost, and less labour.

When I was doing oil changes on our Civic at service A I would remove, drain and reinstall the filter, to get out the cup or so that would hang up in it.

 

Sorry...but Toyota says don't change the ATF and Brake fluid on a Prius either. There's a reason the Honda dealerships treat you like you're nuts if ask them to not change the filter...and it's not for the profit lost on a $5.00 filter. As a Mechanic I say they are both wrong as it applies.

To each their own, but cheaping out on preventative maintenance for a piece of equipment that cost tens of thousands of dollars makes no sense at all.