Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified!)

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

First time posting: Bought my 2010 Prius in December and it is time for the first oil change. In talking to the dealer, I am told that because of Arizona's "hot climate" that the 10,000 oil change interval is being changed back to 5000 miles! He says that he will show it to me in writing when I bring the car in Thursday. This doesn't sound right to me. Thoughts anyone?

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

I think that could be possible since that is one of the hottest places in the country. I would imagine Arizona summers where 120 degree temps and North Dakota and Minnesota winters with -20 degree temps would be considered "extreme."

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

I'm not an oil expert but from what I have read good quality synthetic oil should not break down in 10K miles even in hot climates. It would make more sense to me if they recommended a 0W30 or 5W30 oil vice the 0W20 for hot climates, at least in the summer. But the car does not have an oil temperature sensor for the ICE that we could monitor with the ScanGauge, at least not as far as I know.

I suggest making sure the document he shows you is from Toyota not some local thing they have created, also make sure it applies to the Prius. I think the new Tundra pickup also uses 0W20 as well as some other models.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

I would also call a couple of other local dealers and see what they say.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

I was told the same thing when I went in for my first oil change a month or so ago (before the notices were sent out about the change). That dealer though, claimed not to even know about the change to 10,000 even though other dealers in AZ did. Maybe we went to the same place. Did it have a 2 in its name ?

If you can, please post info about the letter that the dealership has.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

Okay, I am back from the dealer, having completed my 5000 mile service. I asked my service manager about this supposed new "Arizona requirement." He pulls out a six-page memo dated, I believe, March 12th. I read it, and can find nothing about a 5000 mile oil change requirement for "extreme heat." I hand it back to him and say "show me!" He stumbles through it, and says "I haven't looked at this in a while." Finally, he concedes that the requirement does not exist! He suggests that the Regional service-dude, out of Denver, made the recommendation -- not Toyota. "Just to be safe." He goes on to say that the Regional-dude recommends changing out the tranny fluid at 60,000 miles as well, even though the owner's manual makes no such requirement. "Just to be safe."

I believe that it may be my wallet, in fact, that may be less than "safe."

Thanks to all.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

Glad you checked on that, thanks. I think 10K OCI for the engine is very reasonable with good synthetic oil.

Actually changing the transaxle fluid at 60K miles may not be a bad idea for those of us who plan on keeping the car for a while. I plan on changing mine at about 50K. I checked with my dealer they said transaxle fluid change costs $90 or I can DIY for the cost of the fluid, about $7 a quart for 4 quarts of Toyota ATF-WS.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

I have seen it over and over again, where "Stealerships" want to change a vehicles fluids sooner than the manufacture recommends. And while they claim to have higher standards than the manufacture, as to be "safe", all they are doing is wasting good fluids and getting more of our money.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

It's been a week since I called and my dealer has not called me back about adjusting my service plan so I guess I am going to have to go there and be a PITA ^o^
Barbara

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

You only say this becuase you dont see what we do on a daily basis. "Extra" maintenance is never a bad idea. No, I'm not saying this to make more money. I don't recommend anything I don't do on my own car and no, I don't work for a "stealership".

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

So I am at 10K having changed at 5K, before this change became effective. My reminder light comes on and I call the dealer. They claim that in Minnesota we fall under the severe conditions (due to cold) and should change at 5K intervals. The official notice says if you drive a majority of your time under certain conditions you are in the severe category. So cold is one of these categories, but even in Minnesota we are not driving the majority of time at less than 32F (0C). So I think I have one of the Stealerships.

Torn about what to do. It takes a 1/2 out of my busy life to get this done, although they have coffee and doughnuts and wifi for surfing. Don't want to cater to their desire to get extra money out of me, rewards bad behavior.

Is there a Toyota place to contact about these dealerships? Or to get Toyota to confirm that Minnesota is not a severe climate by their definition?

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

The dealership can not make that determination as they are not the one providing the warranty. I would call/write Toy directly to get a determination.
The Kia dealer up here wants me to do 3K OCIs for the same reason and I have been meaning to call Kia for a determination. Just haven't yet.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

A direct quote is "primarily used for repeated trips of less than five miles in temperatures below 32 deg F/0 deg C" emphasis on primarily is Toyotas. I would say based on that your dealer is trying to convince you to get unneeded oil changes. I agree with Spiderman, contact Toyota, or ask another dealer. Toyota Owners Online | Official Toyota Owners Website should provide contact information.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

Thanks for the link, I have been there before regarding the recall. They give you multiple opportunities to "find a dealer", but very little guidance on how to contact them. Finally found the link and basically they say:

That is not very helpful, you need to hire some more people to answer you email. Under the text about calling them they again suggest calling a dealer, then calling the dealer and ask for the Customer Relations Manager (who will side with the dealer - right?). Finally they give an 800 number with the same warning about being overwhelmed. Too bad for you mister customer.

So sure I can try calling or emailing but don't hold out any hope I would get a reply before I get to 10K miles. Maybe for the fun of it I will call the dealer Customer Relations Manager, so I can post their defense of their recommendations.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

That's really to bad, I tried to contact them a few weeks ago about a different matter and had the same experience. Looks like all the groveling and apologizing by Toyota Executives earlier this year was just for the media and congress. Same old customer no service crap. They have had more than enough time to get their act together hire some more people and properly train the ones they have.

I really like this Prius except for the rattles but this sorry your only a customer and not important attitude means this may be my last Toyota. Where is the esteemed Prius Team when we need some help?

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

Well my dealer is telling me to stick with the 5,000 mile servicing also. guess they just don't want to do the changes...

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

It's simple they make twice as much money off you.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

hmmm, Interesting comments. I just received my two year free service contract on my 2010 Prius IV and it shows 10,000 for oil change and 5,000 for tire rotation. My manual still reads 5,000 for each. Maybe I should contact the dealer and see which is correct?

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

Those of us who bought our cars before the OCI was changed to 10K miles received new manuals in the mail. They show the same thing as your service contract, 10K for oil changes (using 0W20 synthetic), 5K for the tire rotations and inspections. I would think your dealer "forgot" to replace the manual in your new car.

 

Re: Some 2010 Toyota Vehicle Oil Change Intervals Officially Revised To 10000 miles/1 year (verified

ditto here... Prius V Nav