First Oil Change / Dealer Issues

Here's some non-solicited advice for you, it's worth at least as much as you are paying for it.

Politely but firmly tell the service adviser what you want done. If they won't agree to do it your way after that, then show them the manual and tell them you go by Toyota's recommendations. Avoid telling the adviser he is wrong. It is not to your advantage to start an argument and damage his fragile ego. Let your owners manual do the talking.

If you are paying by the quart for your oil, politely demand that you be give the leftover oil...a nice reminder to them to not to dump it all in the engine and the part empty container is an indication that they at least had a container of the correct oil in the shop.

Always check your oil level after an oil change before you leave the dealer.

There is also the chance that they don't stock 0W-20, if in doubt, call the parts department and ask.

 

I don't know about the rest, but I got my first free synthetic oil change around 1400-1500 miles after two weeks of driving (dealer gave me an extra free oil change coupon). Why? I'm just paranoid like that...i'm sure metal shavings were floating around the engine, plus it was free anyway. Just changed it again at 5800 with one of the 6 free oil changes from Toyota; dealer tried to persuade me that it's not required until 10,000 but they did it anyway at my request. Overfilled this time... a good 1.5" above the oil dip stick mark, otherwise it was full synthetic again 0w20, stated on receipt.

 

Um guys metal shavings wern't floating around in the engine. That's what the oil filter is for. The old myth of you have to do a break in oil change is so old. This is today, engines are much better made, you guys will be fine.

to the OP: next time go to a different dealer. nothing wrong with early oil changes. if they were free, i'd do mine every 1000 miles lol. But next time stick to 10,000 miles. They shouldn't use 5W-30. That's against the warranty requirements. its either 0W-20, or 0W-20. 5W-20 can be used as a temporary replacement but you have to change that ever 5000 miles. This guy was obviously clueless and never seen a 2010 prius before. You will get the best gas mileage with 0W-20 and nothing else. They should be using Toyota branded 0W-20 as well for the free maintenance. AND MY maintenance coupon says: synthetic oil. What does yours say?? regardless just show them the service manual or better yet go to a different toyota dealer.

 

Welcome on board! Great color choice.

Yeah, the dealers just have not come up to speed on the new Prius for sure. Guess they missed the memo. If there is a chance that they put the 5W-20 in there, take it back and DEMAND they remove it. Threaten them with the owner's survey you should be getting soon.

 

I sure would find a different dealership. That's pretty bad

 

it's a sad situation.

 

Sometimes free is not worth it.

 

I too had my first 5k service on a June purchase this past Saturday. Dealer also tried to get me to forego the change of oil and filter until 10k. I stated politely but firmly that the agreement at time of purchase was oil and filter, as per Toyota specs, every 5k. No more no less.
Frankly, it is clear to me that when we were to pay for the oil changes, they had to be done every 5k. But now that Toyota had to burnish it's perception of quality and will be paying for oil changes for the first 2 years, then 10k is just fine. (that being said, 7500 on Mobil 1 or Amsoil is just fine. been doing that in my cars for years).
Typical big auto nose thumbing at the buying public. No different than what GM, Ford and Chrysler did for the past 40 years.

 

The engine in the Prius probably works less than the engine in anything else on the road. Every 10k with the recommended oil is fine. Its not a conspiracy. 5k changes were serious overkill.

 

Um Toyota specs specifically says 10k miles. And since toyota is paying for your free maintenance, you have to do what they say. 10,000 on Synthetic oil is just fine. Take into account that the prius ICE isn't even running 100% of the time like in a regular car also shows it is very easy on oil. Amsoil is rated to 25,000 miles and Mobil 1 EP is 15,000 miles, so even 10,000 on standard 0W-20 Synthetic is pretty conservative. Dont pay for oil changes at 5k, that's a waste of money and oil.

and this has nothing to do with PR. If you bought a regular car that didn't require 0W-20 synthetic oil, then toyota would be changing your oil every 5,000 miles. Its not a conspiracy, get over it.

 

Weird - in the German manual it says that 0W-20 should be used but if not available 5w-30 can be used. I had today my oil changed at 15000km/9300mi as per user's manual and they put 5w-30 inside.

The manual also says if an oil other than 0w-20 is used, next time the 0w-20 has to be used. Which means next time I have to "remind" them about it and have the 0w-20 be used.

I have seen the differences in terms of viscosity and overall performance between 0w-20 and 5w-30 and they are not that huge. And BTW: who cares. If they f*** up and the car is ruined, its their fault, not mine; it's their service - I didn't do anything myself - they will have to pay for any damages (if any at all - I doubt anything will happen).
Regarding the consumption it is very difficult to complain about a 2mpg difference (or about 0.2L/100km). Considering the price difference per liter of the oils, there is probably no hit in terms of $$$ paid over the 15000k need to be driven until the next oil change.

BTW the 15000km "fitness check", as they call it here, costs about 250€. Seems to me a bit prices, but I have to check how much I paid with the VW Polo in the past years. I also need to check what type of oil they were using (I never really checked what they used and nothing ever happened or never had a noticeable change in FE).
I paid 120€ this time though, because it was agreed with the dealer when I bought the car, that I would not pay the labour on the first check.

 

American manual says if 0W-20 is not available, then use 5W-20. But they say the next time 0W-20 must be used as well, and 5000 mi later, not 10,000 miles later. But who in their right mind would go 10,000 on regular dino oil?

 

If the car was qualified with 0W-20 for it's US CAFE rating, then the factory has to require 0W-20 or thinner for the US market. It has nothing to do with the limits of what works in the engine.

Many cars spec thinner oil for the US market than other markets because of that.

 

what commercially available oil is thinner than 0W-20?

 

If i was you i wouldn't even bother talking to them one more time. Take your hard earned money to someone else!!!

And tell us the dealers name so other can avoid wasting their money there!!!

 

No dealers in Italy have 0W20 oil in stock... but if one insists, well, they order it to Toyota Europe.
In fact, next week I'll have the 15.000 km first oil/filter change, and I had to order in advance to the dealer the 0W20 oil, it took 10 days to get it.
They also anticipated me that the 0W20 oil will cost me 15 € more than the "regular" 15W30 one. The total cost of the service should be 121,40 € (regular service) + 15 € (0W20 surplus).

IMO that is matter of principles, if the Maintenance Manual states that the oil has to be the 0W20, that oil has to be. Period.

 

If you are limiting yourself to motor vehicle engine oil, for all practical purposes none.

0W without a number after is allowed be thinner than 0W-20 and probably is but doesn't have to be. Only 1 company is listed as licensed by API to make 0W without a number after it.

COMPANY Search Results

But that wasn't my point.

 

Unfortunately I bought my 2010 Pruis before the free maintenance. Eventhough the oil service intervals has been changed from 5K to 10K, I will still change the oil (full synthetic / 0w 20 Mobile 1) every 5K in between the scheduled service.