The 25,000 mile free service from Toyota.....

It's full synthetic oil and Toyota stands behind that OCI with their warranty, but change as you wish.

On the 2012, the initial OCI was 5k, then 10k, then 10k interval after that.

 

They "stand behind it", but in the Owners Manual it says using a quart every 600 miles is acceptable. And in Canada they "stand behind" 8000 km or 6 months for oil change interval. We're for the most part all clustered within 100 km of the US border. And then there's Alaska.

5000 miles or 6 months is not nuts, just cautious practice by owners who ultimately will have to pick up the tab.

 

FWIW, the Prius engine really is not broke in at 1000 miles like the older cars were. It actually takes a lot longer than that. Be aware that the oil is synthetic. You can change it however you wish, but be aware of the cost thereof. Consult the owner's manual for more information concerning the grade and type required. I do agree with the "insurance" train of thought, but the Prius is really not a traditional vehicle.

IMO, 5K Oil Changes are great for this car, but dumping at the first 1K is another story. Look at the oil at 1K, it will more than likely still be clear and barely visible on the stick unless you are really driving in some nasty conditions.

Best of luck to you and again Welcome to Prius Chat!

 

Needless to say, no matter what the OCI, you still have to periodically check the oil quantity... as indicated in your Owners Manual...

 

FWIW, when I drain oil at the 8000 km or 6 month interval, it still looks pretty much brand new. But I'm fine with that.

One thing, we're quite low mileage, it's invariably 6 months that governs, km's are 6000, 7000 at the most.

And yeah, I wouldn't bother with a 1000 mile change either.

 

"the Prius engine really is not broke in at 1000 miles like the older cars were. It actually takes a lot longer than that."

I would love to find out the technical reason behind this comment. The reason to change oil at 1000 miles is to remove assembly lube and some metal objects from the new engine. True, the oil is full synthetic and it may take longer to break in but still requires initial clean up UNLESS the Prius engine is assembled without any assembly lubes and all metals are pre-treated somehow to prevent "break-in" pieces don't come out. or it may be true that the engine isn't running all the time; thus, taking longer to break in (the ODO mileage isn't the actual ODO of the engine as it is not on all the time).

Car dealers are recommending 1000km change in Japan and that is 600miles. Toyota Japan recommends 15000km (9375miles) under normal driving condition but 7500km (4687 miles) if driven under severe conditions.

My wife doesn't drive much (less than 7K miles year). So for me, it will be an annual oil change once the initial one is complete.

 

Why they give 2 free oil change? Because they want a service record so when some of these vehicles come back as trade in / lease return they will get more stocks qualified for "certified pre own".

That and makes people think that they can pay more during purchase because of the money they save later on -> higher purchase price on average.

 

I bought my 2010 last year as a certified used Prius. I get free life time oil changes and tire rotation. Dealer does the same with new or certified used. Just had the 60k service done with new cabin filter and ICE file. The did change them and changed oil and rotated tires, I checked, cost me $75.00.

Service record dose not matter for certified pre own. Its mileage and year of vehicle.

 

So called free service for 2-1/2 years is nothing more than a security blanket sales gimmick...because most people are to cheap and don't even know how to check their their own oil...let alone anything else.

 

At the New Toyota Owner night we went to, I remember the service manager saying "you'll never need to pop the hood", or words to that effect. But I mean, that's just him: service managers, and attitudes, run the gamut. Sad though.

 

Are you saying most people are to cheap to check their own oil. I got free oil changes and tire rotations for life time of me or car which ever comes first. I check my oil with every fill up. Why would I waste my time doing changes my self when they do it for free . I check each time and service is being done. I guess I'm not like most people because I can change oil, brakes, engine, tranny, and most other things on my vehicles.
Because of the excellent service I am getting at this dealer I will buy my next vehicle here. It is called a sales gimmick but also good advertising.

 

Good for you. But you know most don't, won't or can't. Seems most of the Mfgs/Distributors have picketed up the 2/25K sales/marketing blanket. Free "lifetime" oil/filter and rotation is used/adapted by some individual dealerships and regions to add to service departments revenue using that same marketing tool. It's easier to pitch a captive mark...needed or not. Me...I do most unless I'm busy or tired of turning a wrench and chasing sparks for the week.

 

There's something to be said though, for folks who let a professional handle the maintenance, AND monitor things themselves. Situations change.

I used to love to get up on my roof for example. Actually, that's a bald lie, I never much liked it, had this eerie feeling every time I stepped off the ladder and onto the roof. I'll still do it in a pinch, I don't mind to pay someone to do that now.

 

I wouldn't be happy with a Service Manager that made such an idiotic statement.
I don't care how much DIY maintenance you do, vs. paying the dealership, EVERYONE should be popping their hood occasionally and checking oil level and fluid level.

I pop my hood at least once a month, just to take a visual inventory of EVERYTHING I can see. And I'm NOT a big DIY maintenance guy.

You know if for whatever reason you suffered engine damage due to a low oil level, the first thing the service manager would say would be "Didn't you ever check it?".

 

I know, and this is with a gaggle of new Toyota owners standing round, in the service bays. Sad.

We get on ok, I've emailed him on a few occasions, he's always voulunteered good info when we had any issues, but I guess in the main we're poles apart regarding owner maintenance.