Oil overfilled by the dealer

It looks like there's an awful lot of oil above the 2nd mark. Are you sure you wiped the stick good then checked your oil?

If you're still getting an inch above the top mark, I would definitely take it back and have them drain (completely) and refill. My mechanic friend explained to me that too much oil is not good for the engine and can impact mpg.

Even though the manual calls for 4.4 quarts with filter, I ask for only 4.0 quarts. It works out to just a little bit below the full mark. Anything between the first and second mark is good as far as the warranty is concerned.

Hope you get this resolved quickly.

 

0w20 is correct for the car, and overfilling happens all the time. The Prius has an akwardly sized resevoir for some reason and "normal" is just too much. I doubt anyone looks at the paperwork in the back, they just hook up their funnel and away they go. Computer spits out paperwork based on what should have been done, not what was done.

If you want to save a trip back the next time you can use some aquarium air tubing and stick it down the dipstick opening. Siphon out oil (slowly) into an awaiting bucket. In an hour or two your oil should be between the lines and you didnt have to drive back and forth... Save up enough oil and get a free oil change!

 

Roughly a 10 degree temperature difference can make 30 weight as thin as 20 weight or v versa. He's blowing smoke and trying to cover up for a bad job.

 

Yet you believe the oil changers were used to using the right oil when they don't even get the amount close to correct?

 

Oil analysis will tell you whether it's an xW-20 or xW-30.

Unless you are tracking your MPG under highly controlled conditions, MPPG won't tell you.

 

an inch?!? how much extra oil is that? they aleays overfill mine by a quarter inch, i thought that was the difference between the spec and the correct amount.

 

Yes, it will tell you that actual 100C viscosity and that determines whether is is a 20 weight, 30 weight or something else.

Oil viscosity can change after it is used a long time, but you will get a good reading if you do it within the first couple thousand miles.

 

Dealer overfilled mine too - they're surprisingly accurate on the work ticket - I have had 3 oil changes there and the last two said 4 qts (first one said 5w30 because the dealership didn't have any 0w-20 yet. . This ticket was the first one that said 5 quarts. I wrote it up for the shop manager but didn't ask for an explanation. I wish I had - I just siphoned it out with a pump.

 

I only use 4 qts. per oil and filer change. That way I never have this problem.H

 

I had a similar situation with what I thought was a dealership overfill. I measured my oil and found it to be over, but the oil was "streaking" on the dipstick. I park on an incline. The next day, I drove down the hill and parked in a flat area and saw the same thing. Had a neighbor watch me measure the oil and it was still over.

Called the dealership and drove down (35 miles) to have them correct it. When they checked it, it was right at the mark. I had them show me, and sure enough, it was spot on the dot. They said something about having to twist the dipstick a little as you pull it out. That was a new one to me.

I hope that this is all that is wrong with yours.

 

Glad you got it straightened out. Hope I didn't insult you by asking about wiping the dipstick. There was just so much oil above the full mark it was disconcerting. You would like to think a "trained" technician wouldn't make such a mistake.

Quick Story: When the dealer overfilled mine last time, I took it back and asked the service assistant if I could watch. They didn't mind, and it gave me confidence that everything was right. I noticed that the technician had a handwritten "cheat sheet" at his station that had the 2010 Prius listed at 4.5 quarts. So technically, he is overfilling every 2010 he services. Just thinking about it, I think I'm going to watch all of my oil changes from now on.

 

I gave up a long time ago and started changing the oil myself. It actually only takes about 20 minutes on a Prius and can be done faster than driving the car down to an oil-change place and waiting. That way, I make sure it doesn't get overfilled. I also wrote an article on the topic:

http://www.evtalk.org/201/overfilled-oil-in-a-toyota-prius/

 

When I change the oil in our
prius I only put in 4 quarts.

After 10,000 miles nearly
4 quarts comes out.

I use Mobil One 0 x 20 full
synthetic.

There is no need to put in
anything over 4 quarts.

alfon