A Toyota dealer using only 5W-20 oil for 2010 Prius

I agree with all the above. I have always changed my own oil and filter. Once you do it the first time, it easier each time. Takes less that 20 minutes and I know it was done right. Before I had my 2015 prius in my possession, I puchased the special tool to remove the filter cover, a packet of drain plug rings and a filter to start out. Because the car is new, I plan on changing the oil and filter at 3,000 miles and then again at 5,000 and every 5,000 thereafter. I did this on my 2006 Scion XB for 9 years and never had an issue with the motor.

 

Why are you posting in 5 year old thread about dealers not following Toyota's specifcations with claims you intend not to follow Toyota's specifications?

 

What?

 

The post just above your post is from January 10 2010; 5 1/2 years ago. You resurrected a long dead thread about dealers not making the transition to synthetic oils, and using conventional oil.

Your post proposes throwing away perfectly good oil and replacing it needlessly. the oil change interval is 10,000 miles or 12 months for your Prius.

 

Oh, ooops. Didn't mean anything about throwing away oil needlessly. Newby here. Not trying to stir any angst, or misqoute anything. Old thread is no different than reading an old book. Just found the thread interesting and decided to respond to it. If I misinformed anyone, my bad. I will be more careful in what I say, how I say it, old thread or new.

 

Don't sweat it. In Canada it's 6 months or 8000 kms. For us it's 6 mo that governs, and maybe 5000 km between changes. And hey: we recycle the old oil, no big deal.

 

just buy 5 bottle yourself original toyota 0w20 you can order online from variety of toyota dealers (they do sell it by the bottle my dealer in new york has it for 7.50) but you can get it many places other like mobil 0w20 synthetic ... you probably get about the same price they would charge you ... and you will know what is in the car.

 

I just had an oil change synthetic 0w20 which was used all summer (btw 9th May and 17 Sept) in the New York Area little over 10k miles. I am sending a sample to be analyzed and will post the result ... there is thread I have put all previous ones but can link it here as well

 

Sounds good.

 

I change the oil in my 2012 every 5k right along with my dads 05. I work for a dealership that has a Toyota dealer in the network so I get 0-20 for pretty close to cost which I'll add that they keep both synthetic 0-20 and dino 5-30 in bulk. I use mobil 5-30 in the 05 just cause I want synthetic. I understand that the recommended oil change interval is 10k miles on the gen 3's but that's due to trying to keep the EPA ratings high. It's just common sense the fresher the oil you keep in a car the better. And yes this is a old thread but the info is still correct and there is no hurt in adding to it. As far as using different weight oil then what is recommended I think is way over thinking things. The engines are proven to last a very very long time on the recommended weight so I think I'd leave that alone. I mean in the end just be happy you're not driving a TDI haha.

 

good question. here is my answer: it depends.
if the said 5W20 oil is quality synthetic, no one is going to know the difference (including your engine). no big deal.
if the said 5W20 oil is cheap mineral oil, and 10,000 mile oil intervals are used, the engine is going to notice the difference and will start drinking at about 100,000 miles or so (i'm serious).

 

Here is the recent used oil analysis result

 

how much does oil test cost?


- update - $28

 

Manual says if 5w20, then in 5K interval it shpuld be changed. I don't think service centers would be ever concern, you cannot damage engine with it, at summer would be even less difference in performance. Plus if you change oil more often, then they are just happy.

 

Again, you are responding to an issue in 2009, when Toyota made the change to synthetics but the Toyota dealers had not. This is not a current issue for Toyota dealers in 2015. The dealers now have the correct oil in stock and know when to use it. There is no current situation where you should be stuck using conventional oil from the dealer, unlike 6 years ago.

 

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