Oil changes every 10,000?

I had my first at 1K, second at 5K, and many every 5K after that.

I would recommened a 1K, 5K and then every 10K after that

 

1st oil change at 5K and every 10K after that (15K, 25K, 35K, etc.). That way, you don't get killed on the 30K maintenance "special" from taking it in at 30K.

You're not required to inform them the duration of your trips.

 

The Canadian schedule still says every 5000 miles (8000 km in Canada). Even if they did change policy, make it 16000 km, personally I would stick to 8000 km. I will be doing my own, fwiw.

Just my personal preference: I will also be doing the transmission fluid much more frequently than Toyota's recommendation.

 

Been reading lately about oil monitoring technologies to help extend oil change intervals.
Oil monitoring systems look at crankcase temperatures, moisture, and combustion chamber events while the engine is in operation. The best systems can measure the serviceable life of a car’s engine oil to within 10%. The result of the adoption of these technologies is that with normal vehicles use, many manufacturer had adopted a new recommended figure of 7,500 miles between oil changes.
In fact, the best synthetic oils used to flaunt 10,000 km changes but probably because of warranty and legal concerns, this extended change interval has ceased to be advertised.
However to be on the safe side, DIY owners would be better off adopting a 5,000 mile oil change interval.

 

The oil change interval has been 10k miles in the UK and Europe for decades. Infact Toyota is regarded as quite low at 10k miles - some manufacturers recommend oil and filter changes on petrol engines every 12k, 15k or even 20k miles.

So long as you use the correct, fully synthetic oils you should be ok. Some of my colleagues run their cars upto 250k, 300k miles using the recommended change intervals with no engine issues.

 

I thought farther trips(highway) allows you to prolong your oil service interval. Heat activates detergents that cleans the engine.
Plus at higher speeds, more cool air is forced into the engine's cooling system as long as the ambient temp is not extremely hot(100 degrees F). Then you shouldn't drive too far.
It's how long it takes and not just how far your trips are. If you have lots of stop and go traffic, then the Prius's ICE never gets a chance to warm the oil/engine in a 5-mile trip and esp. if the temp is colder outside. Then you have dirtier oil and engine.
That's why pre-owned cars with more highway commute miles are preferred over ones doing time in urban driving. Plus oil standards and technological have progressed substantially while some newer vehicle owners still change their engine oil at 3K intervals.
Finally, you need to assess how dusty your enviroment is. The dustier it is, the more possibility for minute particles to go thru your intake/filter and into your ICE/oil. You should check your air cleaner every time you change your oil. It's a good precaution to take since you can use a Air/Dust Can to blow debris off the filter element until you reach the replacement interval which is 15K and earlier if it gets dirty sooner.
My Guidelines:
1. Miles driven in Urban(stop and go)
2. Hotter Temp (oils break down faster)
3. Colder Temp (need sufficient ICE drive time to warm oil)
4. Dusty or Dirty(pollution has more particles) environment
5. Type of Oil and Oil filter element(paper which is found in OEM vs. synthetic which last longer)
6. Color of your oil on the dipstick (make sure it's not black).

I used to change my oil around 7-months or 5K and depending on how much city/highway driving I do. I live and drive mostly in mild climates. Now I do 7K changes ever since I've been using Mobil 1 Syn (5-quart Jug for $23 at Wal-Mart) and it stays cleaner for a bit longer.

 

Well, Honda has been using oil monitoring technology in their vehicles ever since the 2003.

 

That's not really the case: the car's computer monitors several factors: mileage for sure, and very likely coolant temps, maybe several others such as number of starts, ambient temp, mean rpm, and so on. And then counts down the oil life, in 10% increments. But that's it, no direct oil analysis.