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Once a year oil change, or twice?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Lukey51, Jan 18, 2020.

  1. Lukey51

    Lukey51 Active Member

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    Using full synthetic 0w20 as the manual suggests, how often would you change the oil if you only drove 4 to 5k miles a year? I've been changing it twice a year on my previous several cars but I used conv or syn blend with them.
     
    #1 Lukey51, Jan 18, 2020
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  2. davids45

    davids45 Active Member

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    G'day.
    I'd change it once every two years in a Toyota for that milage. Particularly for a sedately-driven hybrid.
    If you're worried, just check the oil colour off the dipstick - darker than normal, think about a change.
    Never worried much (or had to) about oil in the Toyotas we've had.
    David S.
     
    #2 davids45, Jan 18, 2020
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    At least yearly.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Jan 18, 2020
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  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I would do it annually and probably in the spring; water tends to accumulate in the colder months.
     
    #4 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jan 18, 2020
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    uno
     
    #5 bisco, Jan 18, 2020
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  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    In the greater Orlando area yet:whistle:?
     
    #6 Raytheeagle, Jan 18, 2020
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    oh ya, pulled in yesterday. swimming both days, dining al fresco, tried a new box wine, hijinx cabernet from cali, excellent.(y)
     
    #7 bisco, Jan 18, 2020
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  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    The in laws just got back from Australia and have been talking about some of the wines they had there;).

    Shipment arrives next week from there to Vallejo:).

    Shipping was as much as the wine:cool:.

    But something we've not had before too(y).
     
    #8 Raytheeagle, Jan 18, 2020
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  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    #9 Raytheeagle, Jan 18, 2020
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i thought australia burned down? i suppose if you're from cali, it's a wash
     
    #10 bisco, Jan 18, 2020
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  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    In laws said that it didn't compare to what we've experienced here:cool:.

    They were there for a month so not just a small period of time;).

    Just light smoke where they went:).

    Got to the top of the Sidney Harbor bridge(y).
     
    #11 Raytheeagle, Jan 18, 2020
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    #12 bisco, Jan 18, 2020
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  13. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    That's another boxed wine winner:).

    If you ever matriculate out this way to visit your family in Sac, let us know so we can show you some better stuff;).

    Or if into sweet wines, I've got some good choices there too(y).
     
    #13 Raytheeagle, Jan 18, 2020
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  14. topshot

    topshot Member

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    Once/yr. Used oil is acidic. I assume it being synthetic doesn't matter for that, but I've never looked into it.
     
    #14 topshot, Jan 22, 2020
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  15. Lukey51

    Lukey51 Active Member

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    I bought some Castrol Edge 0w20 full synthetic for it. I got a deal on three 5 quart jugs.
    Will change the oil in April from now on, 1x a year.
     
    #15 Lukey51, Jan 23, 2020
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  16. Priuslover09

    Priuslover09 Member

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    I would do it ever 6 months if I were u.
     
    #16 Priuslover09, Jan 28, 2020
  17. Lukey51

    Lukey51 Active Member

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    I may end up doing that 2x a year. For years I've only been driving 4000 +/- miles per year and doing my own semi annual oil change intervals. It may be hard for me to get out of the habit of 2x a year oil / filter changes. It sure won't hurt to change the oil 2x a year vs 1x, as long as I use the recommended full synthetic and at viscosity which for my Prius C is 0w20.
     
    #17 Lukey51, Jan 29, 2020
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Spring and fall works for me too. Our miles are about the same, 4K per year.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Jan 29, 2020
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  19. Lukey51

    Lukey51 Active Member

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    For the miles we drive, running full synthetic oil for a whole year would be fine according to many sources but I think we'd probably have more peace of mind if we changed it twice a year. It doesn't have to be Mobil 1 either. It could be any full synthetic, even Super Tech.
    I like to buy NAPA oil when it's on sale. It's made my Valvoline.
    I also like Castrol Edge and Magnatec 0w20.
     
    #19 Lukey51, Jan 29, 2020
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  20. George W

    George W Senior Member

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    Whatever the Toyota owners manual recommends?
     
    #20 George W, Jan 29, 2020
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