New 2015 Two owner - thoughts on lifetime oil changes

At more than 20K a year you will need some out-of-warranty oil changes.
Do they specify that they must do them to keep the warranty valid? And at what price?

 

Just for reference, it costs me pennies over $30 (Canadian dollars) in parts to do an oil and filter change, including gross overcharge for the drain bolt washer:



Also, I couldn't abide someone dictating when I can get oil changes done, just not on.

 

My dealer charges $100 for 2 Prius oil changes within one year. So $500 would cover 5 years/100,000 miles. If you really do keep your car for more than that, it seems like a pretty good deal. On the other hand, you will be locked into their network and they may try to up sell you on other services. If you don't do your own oil changes and if you plan to keep going to the dealer for service, it seems OK.

 

Yeah. The Canadian schedule (for 3rd gen, 4th gen is now inline with the States) is 6 months or 8000 kms (roughly 5000 miles), whichever comes first. I'm changing oil every 6 months, with kms around 4000~5000, if I'm lucky, lol. DIY it's pretty cheap.

 

The gotcha is they use crappy vat oil not 100% synthetic. Dealer oil change is the worst.
They use the crap oil they don’t check it before they drain it and then they overfill it. You dont have
SAE techs doing it they have min wage guys working on your car.

You drive away thinking it’s dealer maintained lucky me. And never ever open the hood yourself again.

 

Hmm...mine says double that at 16,000km. I have looked for the maintenance schedule and can’t find one. Where did you get your info?

 

I was goung to direct you to the owners manuals here

Owner’s Manuals and Emergency Response Guides - Toyota Canada

But the supplement says to see your dealer

 

Thanks for the excellent link. The oil/filter change interval is spelled out in the supplement, that document actually covers every (Canadian) Toyota vehicle, which gets a bit cumbersome. But anyway, a snapshot:


This is the 2010 document. In a few years, maybe starting in 2012, the went to a graph format schedule, much easier to read.

 

I checked the 2017 supplement and quoted it above. I did not see any recommended maintenance. Check it out in the link I posted above,

 

Huh, you're right.

Just for giggles I took a look at the 2016 booklet, it doesn't even have that "please see your dealer" message.

@Tideland Prius mentioned something about his paper version had the info, said the yearly or 16K kms for oil change, IIRC.

 

You can go here and input your vehicle:

Maintenance Schedule - Toyota Canada

And get a real mishmash/shambles, ugh...: I feel another spreadsheet schedule coming one.

 

Here's the raw data, slightly paraphrased, and with the assumption that intervals continue to be 16K kms OR 12 months. Yeah, a really mishmash, I don't think it's possible to present in a less friendly format. Note the instruction to "check power steering fluid":

Service #1 (every 16K or 12 months, commencing at 8K or 6 months)

Check installation of driver's floor mat
Reset Maintenance Reminder Light or system
Inspect wiper blades, linkage and washers for proper operation1
Inspect and adjust level - engine oil, brake fluid, engine/inverter coolant, power steering fluid and washer fluid
Remove & inspect engine air filter2
Remove & inspect cabin air filter3
Check and record tire tread depth. Examine tires for damage and uneven wear
Remove wheels & visually inspect brake pads, calipers, rotors, brake lines and hoses
Rotate tires (applicable to same size wheels, front & rear) or alternatively perform seasonal tire change-over. 4
Record inspection results, measurements and component condition on inspection form and/or repair order

Service #2 (every 32K or 24 months, commencing at 16K or 12 months)

Check installation of driver's floor mat
Reset Maintenance Reminder Light or system
Inspect all lights and horn for proper operation
Inspect wiper blades, linkage and washers for proper operation 1
Visually inspect drive belts
Replace engine oil & filter (synthetic)
Lubricate locks, latches and hinges
Inspect and adjust level - engine oil, brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid, and washer fluid
Remove & inspect engine air filter2
Remove & inspect cabin air filter3
Remove wheels & visually inspect brake pads, calipers, rotors, brake lines and hoses
Check and record tire tread depth. Examine tires for damage and uneven wear
Rotate tires (applicable to same size wheels, front & rear) or alternatively perform seasonal tire change-over. 4
Inspect differential and transfer case vents for obstruction
Record inspection results, measurements and component condition on inspection form and/or repair order

Service #3 (every 32K or 24 months, commencing at 32K or 12 months)

Check installation of driver's floor mat
Reset Maintenance Reminder Light or system
Inspect all lights and horn for proper operation
Inspect wiper blades, linkage and washers for proper operation 1
Visually inspect drive belts adjust tension if required
Replace engine oil & filter (synthetic)
Lubricate locks, latches and hinges
Inspect and adjust level - engine oil, brake fluid, engine coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid, and washer fluid
Remove & inspect engine air filter2
Remove & inspect cabin air filter3
Remove wheels & visually inspect brake pads, calipers, rotors, brake lines and hoses
Remove brake calipers and/or brake drums. Inspect and measure brake rotors, drums, pads and shoes
Check and record tire tread depth. Examine tires for damage and uneven wear
Rotate tires (applicable to same size wheels, front & rear) or alternatively perform seasonal tire change-over. 4
Perform 12 Volt battery service and comprehensive electrical charging system evaluation
Inspect valve clearance (audibly)
Check steering gear, linkage and shock absorbers for looseness, damage or leakage
Inspect ball joints and dust covers, driveshafts, chassis nuts & bolts for looseness or damage
Inspect fuel system for leaks or damage, inspect condition of fuel tank band, fuel tank cap gasket, fuel tank vapour vent system hoses, fuel lines and connections
Inspect exhaust system for leaks, damage or broken hangers
Record inspection results, measurements and component condition on inspection form and/or repair order

Replace Engine and Inverter Coolant: 160K or 120 months, then every 80K or 60 months
Replace Brake Fluid: every 48K or 36 months
Replace Spark Plugs: every 192K or 144 months

 

Wouldn't it be easier to just convert the US version?
They this link

 

If doing your own oil changes IS an option, consider the Mobil 1 Annual Protection. One oil change every 20k miles. Would be about 10 oil changes in 200k miles. Walmart carries 5 qt jugs at reasonable price and get the corresponding 20k mile rated filter....

If not then the warranty seems a good deal....

 

The US maintenance says to change full synthetic oil & filter every 10K miles.
I am not sure Walmart Canada sells that oil. I have taken Walmart Mobil 1 to my brother in Canada.

 

I've got a couple of reservations with the link. First, it's the US schedule, there are variations I'd suspect. Also, while it's complete, and just for Prius, it's in event-by-event format. A chart is what I'm aiming for, so you can see at a glance, what's involved and when. Here's a quick-and-dirty spreadsheet of the above "raw data". I've paraphrased a little, and ignore some of the purely mundane.

 

An oil manufacturer's recommendation does not supersede an auto manufacturer's. You would be voiding your warranty following that.

There's no way I'd go that far between oil changes. I wouldn't even exceed 5000 miles, but that's another story.

I don't mean to thunder, just being Dutch uncle, lol.

 

Good point about the warranty. That was a sloppy recommendation on my part and I apologize. So 10k mile oil changes until 60k ODO miles, then every 20k miles, assuming the 20 - 24k mi / yr stays the same for the OP.

Mobil did tear down 3 engines and video taped one which looked impressive. You’re just chicken....

I kind of wish we got more miles. Our ‘12 v has less than 20k at this point so I’m just banking that the AP oil provides better protection.... (If we did get 20k miles in a year I’d be more than happy to have a Blackstone test run on the used oil for you guys....)