2010 Prius Oil Level

Hello and welcome to PriusChat!

It's ok that you've been driving around near the min level on the dipstick -- no harm there. Now that you know what level it is at, just monitor the oil level to see if it changes. I doubt it will, but if it does, than you may have a problem.

If you choose to add oil, do so with caution. It is very easy to overfill a Prius. Anywhere between the min and max mark is fine, but many (myself included) fill that 75% is perfect (about 1/4 inch from the max line on the dipstick).

Bryan

 

I would simply add the Toyota 0W-20 oil up to the upper level. Continue watching it and if it goes down much before the 5K oil change have the dealer look at it. Otherwise don't worry about it, its covered.
Peter

p.s. thanks for reminding me, I haven't checked my level at all.

 

Just make sure you have checked the oil level after the car has been sitting with the engine off for a fairly long period before you decide to add any. The manual says wait more than 5 minutes, I'd suggest check in the morning before you drive it at all.

 

Mine measured full (and still clean) after 4500 miles.

If it were me, I'd do the following:
1. Take it back to the dealer so that they have a record of this in case there are any followup issues.
2. I'd ask them to check for leaks (maybe the oil filter was not properly tightened at the factory).
3. Then I'd ask them to add a quart to bring it up to full (but not overfull). I'd try to make sure they added the Toyota 0W/20 oil and not some of their cheaper bulk 5W/20 oil.
4. Finally, I'd keep a close eye on it for the next few months.

While it's OK to drive down by a quart or so over the short term, the oil will age a bit faster if left low for the long term since there isn't as much of it to distribute the wear.

 

No problem at all -- we're just glad that everything is OK with your car.

By the way, I see that you're fairly new here, so :welcome:to PriusChat!

 

I would avoid saying "add a quart". If they do, you will have an even bigger problem on your hands...

Bryan

 

David (aka Blind Guy)

P.S. Most of the 2nd Gen owners agree that keeping the Oil HALFWAY between the Max and Min marks is the ideal indicator for proper Oil fill level.

 

Checked mine this morning for the first time and it was 3/4 to the full dot.

 

Yes, but I don't think it's yet known what the ideal level is for the 2010 motor.

My inclination is to keep it as near to the full mark as possible (without going over), since the additives in the oil will wear out as the oil ages. So more oil, more additives and better lubrication as the oil change interval is approached...

 

Let me see if I understand the logic. With a filter change the amount of oil called for in the owner's manual is 4.4 quarts. The owner's manual also says that the range from the min to max mark on the dip stick is 1.6 quarts. So if we shoot for 75% as quoted above (0.75 x 1.6 = 0.4 so 4.4-0.4 =4) does that mean we should add an even 4 quarts after and oil and filter change. That would be convenient and perhaps help reduce frictional losses without risk of being too low on oil. Comments please.

 

That's the hope. Perhaps others that have done a change will chime in as to exactly how much they added and if 4 quarts took it up to 3/4 full. Unless it is way off in either direction that is exactly what I intend to do (4 quarts).