Oil filter position on 2010

It is horizontal between and below the drive shaft and to the rear of the engine. We'll have to take a panel off to reach it. It promises to be a bit of a job. We will have to be careful with the fasteners that hold the underbody panel on.

Bob Wilson

 

Are you kidding me!!!!!? I am so sick of auto manufactures making it hard for consumers to do their own freaking oil changes. Pretty soon the only service a consumer will be able to do is put air in the tires.

Horizontal oil filter placement is messy and doesn't allow for filling of the filter upon doing an oil change so you don't get a dry start up. Not to mention, a horizontal placement usually makes it harder to remove the filter.

 

Amen!

To give benefit of the doubt to Toyota - the 1.8 is a "standard 4cyl block used in multiple platforms right? Perhaps in other applications it's in a more accessible area (away from hybrid or other Prius-specific mechanics).

I'd hate to think that mechanical engineers at major auto manufacturers conspire to design difficulty into DIY stuff as this.

But, if history serves, every Toyota I've owned incl my current Lexus RX...the filter could hardly be in a worse location.

And Rick, you had mentioned that an underbody panel needs to be removed for oil change. Is there one just under the engine compartment? How many are there under the '10? And finally, can generic oil-change places be trusted with the Prius, esp with the specific syn required now? Planning ahead...

 

There's nothing to fill anymore.

No filter casing. It's just an insert.

Of course, dry start up was always a non-issue with Prius anyway. MG1 (the smaller electric motor) spins the engine up to idle speed and keeps it there until oil pressure is established... waiting for that before a spark is introduced.
.

 

Is it anything new or just the need for a standard wrench adapter?

That's what I use anyway, since other options tried over the years (like the belt) never really worked that well.
.

 

My Highlander Hybrid 3.3L V6 engine also has a horizontally-mounted filter (although not a cartridge.) Actually, the oil filter removal can be very neat and tidy if you change the engine oil first thing in the morning before the engine has been started. All of the oil drains out of the filter into the crankcase overnight. So, when you remove the filter nothing drips out. Perhaps the 2010 Prius engine will behave similarly.

I would disagree with this because of the funny noise that the Prius engine makes for a couple of seconds upon first startup after an oil change, if you do not pour some oil into the filter first. The noise is caused by lack of lubrication, whether or not the engine is producing power.

 

That's entirely possible. I've never tried it. But at least there isn't a jolt as harsh as a traditional vehicle.

When/How does the oil start pumping on the 2010?
.

 

Are saying they don't use a regular oil filter? Maybe I am not understanding. Are there any pictures?

 

Okay and why couldn't they have done this vertically instead of horizontally?

 

Of course and to keep things neat and clean, the cap would have been on the top. <grins>

No doubt someone is already thinking about an 'adapter' that fits into the recess and provides hoses to a 'standard' spin-on oil filter fitting. As for where the spin-on adapter might be located, that is a separate issue. However, I suspect some place where a round, access hole could be cut in the panels probably makes sense.

Bob Wilson

 

I still think they could have made it vertical with the cap facing down.

 

seems like it will be easier to just take to dealer or other place for oil change.

I just changed mine last week out in the garage, sometimes I take it to dealer though.

it's quite painless with GenII to change the oil, the filter postion is perfect for the oil to drain.

I imagine it will be a while before aftermarket filters will be made for the new prius. I have never seen a cartridge based filter at Autozone.

I use the Denso filters from the Dealership, only 4.50

 

This is exactly what they want from consumers!

 

Just found someone that details 2010 filter & oil change with photos. Other good stuff too. john1701a It's a dot com address, no w's

 

My wife had a 97 Rav4 and the oil filter is at the top of the engine and vertical so Toyota does know how to do this, I have a MB ML and as all MB cars the filter is vertical and on top, it is a cartridge same as the Prius. Both are an easy oil change as I us a vacumn oil extractor that is large enough to hold the 12 quarts of oil from the cars as well as 1 from my lawnmower and 1 from my generator.So not being an engineer I don't see why all cars could not have the filter accessible from the top of the engine. Unless of course they want owners to come into their dealerships and spend too much money on an oil change. You can buy a five quart container of Mobile 1 for $22 and a filter for probably 15 bucks or less, a wrench for the oil filter is not too expensive, unless you buy one from Toyota which has a fitting on top for a socket and other ones you can buy only have a square hole that your socket wrench will fit in.

 

I just did the oil change on my 2010 and it was pretty easy and clean. 3 clips to pop out to get the access door to fold out of the way, $4 for the oil filter wrench and one wipe and it was all clean. Even though it is horizontal, it is not messy.