Is it okay to skip minor (5k interval) service?

Currently Florida.
But about 60 years in Illinois before that.

 

I figure someone else also mentioned that Ambient Air (read normal air) is 20% oxygen and 80 % nitrogen. But then you already knew this. Filling up your tires with compressed air.... is a good thing.

 

A little off-topic, but my new 2019 Prius came with NitroFill valve stem covers, perhaps installed by the dealer. Not sure if there's actually NitroFill in the tires

 

HAHAHA! Another controversial topic.

I will enjoy sitting back an watching this one play out! I've got my popcorn popper warming up...

 

Oh no, what kind of oil are you using!?

Speaking of oil, and analysis, Back in the early days of the Generation-3 Prius, there was an effort to build an oil analysis database here. This didn't go too far, mostly, I think, because the results were all excellent.

 

Uhh...well...you know...seriously...like...maybe...uhh...that would be my prediction with the Prius Hybrid. My Avalon Hybrid, Ford CMax hybrid UOAs pointed out that since the ICE isn't functioning 100% of the mileage shown,the OCI could be increased a significant amount. The CMax, and our (traded) Fusion Energi, both had oil life indicators, and both could run 14-16k miles between oil changes.

I don't know if this is true for the Prius Hybrid, but I predict it is.

(As I stated earlier, dealerships still push 5k oil changes. Why? I agree that it's a good idea to get under the hood of a car every 5k miles, to visually check things out. Others, more cynical than I, think it's for more $$$)

 

There's a mechanic here who swears by the 5k OCI, I think (I forget his name). It's probably just the safest recommendation to make. I feel like the average driver doesn't think about their oil until the light comes on or the car starts to drive differently, so 10k intervals would be even easier to forget.

 

This Mechanic does...but don't listen to me. I've only been turning wrenches Professionally for more than 40 years...so what do I know.

 

Okay, I'll bite.

I have enormous respect for every single auto tech that I've had work on my cars, and I've learned something new with every visit. Seriously. Diagnosing problems and solving them is a highly respectable craft. For the past 20 years, they've had to study and learn more about electronics than about internal combustion and thermodynamics. The breadth of their knowledge is impressive.

That said: Have you seen no changes in manufacturing of engine blocks, piston rings, bearings, valves, camshaft design, etc. in the last 40 years? Tolerances? Oil filtration systems?

Have there been no advances/changes in fuel systems in the past 40 years? Emissions controls? MPG?

My dad is 96. He started out with OCI of 1k miles. He watched as airplanes went from primitive biplanes to...supersonic.

frodoz737: For sure, you're not applying methods today that you were taught 40 years ago. Forty years ago, 3k mile OCI was the norm. There were probably techs, with 40 years experience, that were changing oil at 1500 or 2000 miles, because that's what they were taught.

Not so today. Every single manufacturer has changed OCIs from 40 years ago.

Old habits die hard.

 

IMO, and I definitely don't have decades of mechanic experience, I think it depends on the car. For an average ICE car I think I would stick to 5k changes even if I bought one brand new today. For current prius primes, I guess 10k OCI would be fine depending on one's driving habits. But I also wonder how long even synthetic oil is good for while just sitting in the crankcase, b/c of oxidation and other factors. Personally, if I bought a brand new Prime today I feel like I'd do 10k OCI or once a year regardless just to be safe, and I'd use BG MOA from day one for preventative wear.

 

Let's see...I started with lawn equipment at age 7...and current work on vehicles that put out over 56,000 lbs of thrust with more systems, computers and wire than you could imagine...not to mention I've worked on just about every old and new car and light truck (including TDIs), half a dozen bike mfgs and a few tractors...throw in body/paint, sheet-metal and composite...yea, even if I didn't hold multiple Licenses and have more "class" time than someone with a Major...one might say I've kept up to speed.

One thing Fred's, Bob's, PC and ALL other car forums have in common are those "Google Experts"...that couldn't fix their way out of tow...with a $50,000 box of Snap-On and a super computer.

@painewman...what you do with your vehicles is your business and I hope you enjoy this "new to you" Prius, In all honesty though, you don't even qualify for a shade-tree shingle.

 

frodoz737: I probably shouldn't even acknowledge your petty attempt at insulting me. Really. Petty.

I already stated that I have great respect for anyone, like you, with decades of experience. I wish I had your knowledge. Seriously. No doubt you feel safer hurtling down the road at 75mph knowing that you personally did any service work on your car/truck, or whatever is putting out 56,000 lbs of thrust. (HAHA: I still manually re-torque wheel lugs after ANYONE services my brakes/tires/wheels.)

However, you, and others here that stick with 5k OCI, haven't yet stated anything, other then your own personal experiences, to support your "theories" about oil life. You have not provided a single item of proof. Your defense continues to be antiquated experience that might be safe, and justified, but hasn't kept up with advances in ICE and oil engineering.

1) I assume you're no longer changing spark plugs every 20k, 30k, even 50k miles, right? (The greatest risk to lengthy plug changes is the plugs seizing in the cylinder head)
2) How about points/condensers? Oops...we haven't had to adjust points in, hmm...maybe 30 years? Why? Because they no longer exist.
3) How about beer-can sized coils? Once again, old-school tech.
4) You might be rebuilding carburetors on your lawn equipment, but seriously, they've been out of autos for at least 20 years.
5) Exhaust pipes/mufflers. Remember when we had to replace rusted out mufflers every 3-4 years?
6) Timing chains? Timing belts? HUGE advances in longevity in the last 30 years.

I will rely on Blackstone UOAs to inform me. They aren't pretending to be "Google experts." They are an internationally recognized and respected firm that do state-of-the-art analysis on a variety of fluids, for average auto owners, the trucking industry, the aviation industry, etc.

I haven't read a single post in this thread that convinces me that a 5k OCI is necessary. Safe, maybe, and as I said, and I'm sure you'll agree, it's always a good idea to get under the hood and visually check things out.

However, 5k OCI is overkill.

Back at you:
All truth goes through three phases. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

 

I am truly sorry if you were insulted by my pointing out you are not a mechanic. Please feel free to extend you oil changes as long as you want...it's your car...and don't forget, Toyota America does not recommend changing out your DOT 3 brake fluid or transmission fluid either. I'll be sure to ask your expert advice regarding vehicle maintenance in the future...because I don't have a clue.

The mistake was all mine responding to "ANY" oil posts...especially in a forum littered with oil burner threads.

 

It wasn't meant to be an insult; simply stating the truth, supported by a LOT of evidence that YOU keep providing.
I'll leave it at that......since I'm already on thin ice from mis-behaving in another thread.

A truly wise man is one who knows that he knows not.

 

Sam Spade 2, frodoz737, and others: state the truth, based on their experience.

Blackstone: states the truth, based on chemical analysis.

BOTH SIDES of the OCI discussion have merit. UOA is simply another tool that can be useful. (...the "truly wise" techs I've known use UOA all the time...)

Medical doctors (ahem..."truly wise" MDs...) use scientific fluid analysis (blood tests, urine tests, etc.) to "see" how the human body is functioning or failing. Fluid analysis is critical to any serious medical discussion.

If we work to combine all of the above, we would move forward, for sure.