Prius Prime Oil Filter - how come there are two options for the Prime?

That's the cartridge element inside the plastic housing. I changed it to the better and more reliable 'spin on.'

The 2016+ Toyota 2zr Engine oil filter conversion - Armstrong Family Blog

Fortunately, I was able to sell the cartridge asset up on eBay and got back a large portion of the funds that I spent on the "spin on" conversion.

 

I think even if you couldn't find the receipt, the dealership likely retains an electronic record.

 

The dealer who serviced my Prime before I bought it did exactly that. Here's the service record from my car's account at the owner's web page that took place about five months before I bought the car. I highlighted the relevant part.

 

I chuckled when I read your suggestion and realized how easy it was to get the answer I was looking for, LOL. I must not have had enough coffee yesterday morning!

 

Hello All

I have a 2018 Prius Prime and found that you can check the oil filter visually without jacking up the vehicle.
Simply turn the wheels all the way to the left and you can see the oil filter and drain plug by looking behind the passenger wheel.

Hope this helps...

 

I split the cost ($1000) of a pair of Quick Jacks with an old friend who also has a classic 911. I was concerned that I would have trouble lifting the 2018 Prius but it went well. There are four 'strongpoints' on the chassis just inside the end of the plastic rocker panel. They are reinforced and that's where I placed the (very strong) rubber blocks that came with the Quick Jack to lift my Prius. My Jacks are rated for 5000 lbs for the pair so the 4200 Lb Prius fell into a satisfactory weight. I was so pleased to finally see the undercarriage and delighted Toyota made a convenient removable panel to access the oil sump and filter. Be careful- the oil really plunges out, so lift the oil change container to meet the flow at first. I used a Purolator filter... Purolator invented the oil filter so they have been around. There are many internet posts about filters especially for 'oil cooled' Porsche 911s. The Purolator always does well. One filter to avoid at all costs is FRAM. FRAM filters are not satisfactory. Remember to check the wheel nut lug tightness- I have forgotten this so many times I put my phone away when removing and replacing wheels!

 

I have both the Quickjacks 3500 and the Safejacks Rennstands. Unless you are lifting the car level with all four wheels off the ground, the Rennstands are more convenient and easier to use.

I agree that FRAM filters are junk. They used glued cardboard ends.

 

I love pictures of raised cars; never gets old. Hey just for giggles: put a thick block of wood under the end you’re working on; something thicker than your rib cage.

Your oil filter bracket looks just like the conversion I did, on our 3rd gen. Same tear drop shape at 6 o’clock. Reassuring.

FWIW, Toyota has a spin-on filter too.

 

It's a 2018 Prime. The filter adapter is for the spin-on installed at the factory. The one with the lower "tail" is the Japan made version of the adapter, like the one you got from Japan, Mendel. The US made version does not have the "tail."

 

Here is my setup. I use ramps under all tires for safety insurance. It works as long as wheels do not need to come off. I recently changed CVT fluid on CRZ.

 

I'm pretty sure you didn't drive up onto those ramps.

 

Nop, if I did, that would be a very bumpy ride. In fact, CRZ in the photo is lower to the ground than PP, I can't drive up even to the low profile ramp without some extender like you DIY'ed for your cars.

 

I’ve idly wondered, if you could, 4 at once...

Yeah ramps are too exciting for me lol

 

You could if you had the ground clearance, but not if they're facing in opposite directions like in the picture. LOL!

 

It won't work on CRZ or Prius, but for our Pathfinder, I am sure I can drive up to 4 ramps at once. A low profile ramp in the photo (front) is less than 7" high. I can place them in front of the rear tires of the SUV. AWD may help the climb as well, but I have not tried that yet. Maybe next time when I have to change CVT on the PathHy, I will give it a try.

Of course, as @jerrymildred pointed out, I would have to place the incline in the same direction for that to work. Ramps in the photo were placed after jacking up the car and standing on four jack stands, just for safety reasons. Due to the location of the jack stands, I had to place them in opposite direction.

 

Just in case anyone takes me seriously: conventional ramps would likely not fit under rocker panels, for most cars. Also, it would be dangerous, if either the front or rear ramps kicked out at all, you’d be going up the ramps out of sync, for example: front wheels on the plateau and rears still on the incline.

 

*ahem*

FRAM FILTERS ARE FINE.

Stop spreading the BS that they are not. Please.

I once watched a YouTube video where Quick Jacks were given a bad review - you should totally stop using those "they are junk". And Rennstands are overpriced with poor welds.

That is as true as your Fram assertions.

 

I find raising the front or rear (at front/rear centre jack point) and slipping in jack stands uneventful. I use a cheap 3 ton jack with decent lift, and can just scoot 6 ton jack stands under, at their lowest settings. I have a set of four 6-ton stands, and four more 3-tons. The latter are good for low lift, say tire rotation. I use alternate support points for the stands, not the scissor jack support points.

 

I've used Fram filters off & on in cars and motorcycles for probably 40 years. Never had a problem.

 

I’ve always used the proprietary oil filter, the Toyota specd filter on our Prius for example. Theyre $8 something (CDN) apiece for me, IIRC.