How does prius identifies that oil maintenance is required?

It's just a miles trip counter. It says "service" until you reset it.

 

No, there are NO sensors or software other than counting the miles driven.

Service is recommended every 5K miles. You do the oil change every other service interval.

There is no "clock" timer, either.

 

It is based on mileage. Should come up about every 10,000 miles.

 

I took my wife's Camry in for the 15,000 mile service and that means a tire rotation. The service guy looked at me and said the oil needed changed. I had to tell him that it is 5,000 mile tire rotation service. So, service does not mean oil change like it used to. Looks like some people need some IN SERVICE training.

 

Another good question is: with synthetic oil, does it break down and produce an acidic property after so long? As everyone has always heard. Change the oil at 5000 miles or 6 months. Some say it is because regular oil will start to produce an acidic property and harm the engine. But with all the new technology in oil and syntetic oil, does it still go bad over time like the old days or are we still brain washed by Jiffy lube 3000 mile 3 months gimic?

 

You are all wrong. There is a little troll in the back of the car that only comes out when we are sleeping and checks the oil quality. If it needs to be changed, the light comes on. Then, he sneaks inside and fools around with the troll that turns the refrigerator light on and off...

 

I did smell a dead troll in my car the other day. It got up to 105 outsine and I left the windows rolled up. He died a horrable death so now I have to rely on the service light.

 

I thought the oil change interval has been moved to 10,000 miles with M1

 

And everybody thinks it is a mouse...who knew?

 

My Ford is the same, change oil message comes up at 5K - dealer says change oil & flush - both not needed except for dealers boat payment

 

Newer models say "maintenance required".

 

On the 2010, "oil maintenance required" comes up every 5,000 miles because back then when the 2010 first debuted Toyota required oil changes every 5K miles. As mentioned, newer models say "maintenance required," but I think it still comes up every 5K miles.

 

Correct.

 

Yep, I was wrong. I haven't even put 5,000 miles on the vehicle yet. So haven't seen "the light". I'm getting close to my first 5000 miles, so I'll let you know if the light comes up for me.

So I take it, instead of reprogramming or re- timing the appearance of the light Toyota simply took the word "Oil" off the light?
I suppose that's easier than providing two lights...or reprogramming the timing.

 

I'd like to edit my original "in error" post.
But is anyone else having trouble with the edit function?
Lately when I try to use it, the box just opens empty, and I can't enter any changes.

Is it just my computer slowly dying? Or has anyone else noticed this problem?

 

Yes, people are required to take it in every 5K miles anyway (to keep the warranty) so the service advisor will know when it's time for oil change if they're clueless.

I just tried it on an old post of mine and can still edit, but at least one member has reported this same problem.

 

What's the tire rotation recommendation?

Honda's maintenance light used to light up with specific alphabetical code combinations that would outline exactly what was recommended.
Which was nice, but a little frustrating as what I found would be The Car was telling me to have the tires rotated, but when I'd take it to the dealer, they would "inspect" the tires and tell me it wasn't necessary. I finally had to insist they rotate the tires whether they visibly thought they needed to be rotated or not. For some reason, my dealership was very hesitant about rotating the tires.

 

Rotation's at every 5000, that's why the maintenance message still comes up at 5000 miles.