Oil recomendations newbie

Look in the user manual. I believe in the UK 0W-20 may be specified due to the UK's lower temperatures and the fact its drivers are better about changing their oil than the average American. As far as everyone knows, the engine is identical for all 2nd gen Prii in the world.

Use whatever oil is in the manual unless you haul heavy items or tow with the car. In the US 5W-30 is spec'd, so many of us (myself included) use a synthetic 0W-30 for a little extra efficiency when cold.

 

The UK Prius Gen II manual specifies 5W-30. 0W-20 was officially sanctioned for the Gen II (and I think any UK Toyota hybrid) in retrospect sometime after 2010 when the Gen III was released. 0W-20 was specified for the Gen III.

So, either is ok and it is temperature that mainly affect the differences region to region.

 

Never seen a 0-30 weight oil in my very long life.
0-20 is a very thin oil. The engine valve train sounds very loud on that weight. I only use 5-30
Mobil 1 or mostly Redline 5-30 which is very high performce oil with added zddp package that becomes more like a 40 weight oil at temperature. I like it as I spend a lot of time at 75-80 miles an hour when I drive my Prius.

 

If it was me?
And we are talking about a "new" used car, where the oil is low?
I'd just bypass the whole "top it off" or "add engine oil routine".
Oil Changes are relatively cheap,- just go get it fully changed.

You can establish communication with your chosen dealer, they can give you a recommendation as to oil weight to use, ( I'd probably go with 0W-20 ) and with a full Oil Change and Filter, something I think you should do anyway, you aren't worrying about "mixed" weights or overfilling.

If you can't afford the "full check" you are planning in a few months? Just tell them you just want the Oil Change and if they do a good job you'll be back.

But since I'd recommend anyone buying a new "used" vehicle do a full Oil and Filter change....just go get it done.

PS.
I think most new vehicles go with the lighter synthetic. It's what I put in my New Gen 3 Prius, 0W-20 is what is recommended in my New Honda Fit.
But if the service department recommends the heavier Oil? I'd just go with their recommendation.

 

It's a newish synthetic for "warranty protection": Mobil 1 0W-30 Advanced Fuel Economy Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5 qt. - Walmart.com

 

Thanks, is it Europe where 0W-20 is spec'd in the user manual? I thought there was at least a country or two where this is true, remembering from another thread, but I may just have a memory gap.

That's the exact oil I use and the place I buy it at, as it's a great deal! Depending on when I have my oil changed I may switch to 0W-20 for wintertime.

 

nonsense, too basic to waste time on explanations.

 

there is an image of a poster from toyota canada wildly circulated on the web and accepted as dogma. supposedly it shows 0W20 for majority of toyota cars (old and new). i suspect it was fake or misprint.

 

That has been pointed out already.
No need to rub it in.

But you DID take the time to post an insult non-the-less.

 

I need to get out more. I never even heard of 0-30 before synthetic or otherwise.

 

Its probably an oil eater so the next day after a long drive before you start the car check the oil. Do this every few days till you get a handle on if its losing oil or not. Run the oil real low and you'll be buying a new engine.

 

sorry man, when i posted, i didn't see the second page where people gave you grief about it. I overreacted.