Last week, the "MAINT REQD" light started blinking. Sure enough, a check of the ODO indicated that I was coming up on 30,000 miles. Today, the light stayed on. After the car had cooled down, I checked the oil. Not for level but for color. I use a full-synth 5w30 and have thus far changed it dutifully every 5,000 miles. This evening, the oil on the silver dip stick was bronzish copper. I have to admit that I could not - with my naked eye - even tell that the oil had run 5,000 miles. I originally planned on bumping up the distance after I hit 50,000 miles on Priapus. But should I just go ahead and turn off the light and run it another 5,000?
I'm assuming that since it's a 2004, you are out of warranty concerns, so I'd feel pretty safe in going with a 10K change interval with a full synthetic. I suspect that the Prius is probably genter than any other car out there to its oil.
Tony, you're asking more of a legal and warranty question than an oil question. If you would lose warranty protection, change your oil, if not, you have nothing to loose.
Yeah, I thought about the warranty issues as well. But as we've discussed before, only if there is a repair required that would even raise the issue of regular oil changes, the dealer would have to prove that I have not maintained regular oil changes. Oh well, I might as well take care of it this weekend.
Tony, how about perform an used oil analysis? Black Stone Lab, http://www.blackstone-labs.com, provides free test kit. Without any test, there's no way to tell if the oil is still good. I use Mobil 1 myself, and my tests show the oil contain very little wear metal even at 5000 miles. But I did not get the TBN (Total Base Number) test done, since I didn't plan to do extended drain interval before my warranty period is up.
[attachmentid=7280]Hi Tony, I am currently at 10K on Mobil 1 0w20, I just sent a sample into Blackstone and will post the results soon. I have tested my oil at 2.5K, 5K, and 7.5K so far and the results looked very good (I will attach the data). At 7.5K the TBN was 4.6 (1 is considered low and new Mobil 1 starts at about 10), so if you don't drive it real hard or have a lot of short (less than 10 mi) trips in freezing weather then you will be fine. I usually have 2 trips a day at 11 miles each and then the usual errands (mostly a 12 mile round trip for me), and trips to Sugarloaf USA on the weekend (about 90 miles one way). My oil has been in service since late September, so this winter I have seen lots of days below freezing (and below 0 F on occasion). Bottom line, if you're out of warranty you can easily take it to 7.5K with Mobil 1. Dennis
I just checked your MPG. Nice job, obviously you are not driving it hard, but you are seeing a lot of cold weather and with only 5 K in 6 months, I am guessing that you make a lot of short trips, or you do a great job of minimizing your driving. Without a UOA (used oil analysis) I think its safer for you to change it, the short trips in cold weather really use up an oil. If you do have any interest in a UOA the bottles are free from Blackstone and a pump can be purchased to sample through the dipstick (not necessary if you sample while changing the oil.) The Blackstone website describes the proper sampling method, I think it's a little like taking a urine sample, you want to catch it in mid stream, my guess is it's a little messier though. Once you have the sample you don't have to send it in right away, you can also use oil analyzers, which may be a little cheaper than Blackstone, I am not sure if they provide free sample kits. I also noticed your powertrain warranty is still in effect until Aug 2009 or 60K whichever comes first (looks like time will be the limiting factor) so you may be best to avoid any headaches and just change at 5K. I would love to see any UOA results you get if you decide to get your oil tested. Dennis
Good Day All, I have a 2007 and live in Santa Monica, CA. I just changed my oil at 5,132.0 and decided to use Mobil 1. Can I go 10K miles until the next oil service? Thanks for your information -
