How to Change the Oil on your Prius with Pictures

You can get low-profile ramps. I use these http://www.amazon.com/Blitz-11903-Rhino-Ramp-8000/dp/B000AMMN9O/ with my Prius.

 

if you have some scrap lumber you can make some out of 2x6 or 2x8 boards and stack them ,nail or screw together in the order of 2ft then 1.5 ft and then 1ft on top. i made a pair from an old waterbed frame and they work great

 

By the way, I use a quick oil drain valve which makes oil change faster and easier a little on my oil changes. The valve is a ball valve with a lever and you can get rid of a socket wrench from your preparation list. I bought it from qwikvalve.com.
It is around $20ish. not bad price because they say it would outlast your engine. It's worth to check it out.

 

Quick question--

How do you reset the maint required warning light after you change your oil?

Thnks for the help!

 

Is the drain plug gasket the equivalent of the washer?

 

Yes. The official Toyota P/N is 90430-12031.

 

Thanks dogfriend. Do you happen to know the correct oil filter part # also? Just want to make sure I'm getting the right one as I'm going to order several in advance.

 

The oil filter P/N is 90915-YZZF2. I bought a case of 10 filters and a bag of 10 washers from Accessorize your Toyota car, truck, 4x4 or SUV with TRDparts4u and Genuine Toyota Accessories..

When I bought them, they were on a special for $39.90 for the filters, $8 for the washers, $1 for shipping. It looks like the price is higher now.

 

This is probably a really stupid question... but do you open the oil entry at the engine to help the flow from below? or does it pour out with out having it open at the engine? like when you open a can for pouring you need two open edges.

 

Yes, cracking the fill cap will allow oil to flow out better.

 

I always punch a hole in the filter, opposite the threaded end, and you'd
be surprised at how much oil drains out of the punched hole.

 

I hope it is not bad taste to "piggyback" on an existing thread.....

I just drove my 2007 Prius from western NY down to our other home in Florida. When we got down there, I knew it would be due for an oil change.

I was prepared, taking with me a new OPM filter and gasket, oil filter wrench, socket, etc. This would be the first time I would be doing it, since I just recently bought the car.

Well, I went to change the oil, and when I tried to get the filter off, it would not budge. The filter wrench basically stripped the filter, and I think "spread" the filter wrench, (a cupped type).

I was irked. The dealer must have had the filter too tight. I had to pour the old oil back in, and take it to the dealer down there for the change. I only hope they did not tighten THIS filter too tight.

I now need to buy a new filter wrench. All over the internet, they say the Prius filter wrench is either 64mm or 65mm. After the problem I had, I really want to make sure I buy a good one that is the correct size. Could anyone tell me what size is the correct one? Is it 64mm?

Thank you........FrankD.

 

I used a strap style puller but my filter was just nicely snug, not too tight. Another option that ignores size is a plier style, like this:

Plier Type Oil Filter Wrench

- D

 

Thanks Don,
I did not know if this type would work on the Prius, since the filter is straight up and "up there"........I thought a cup type with a square hole for a socket wrench would be best.......

Frank D.

 

Might be, I haven't tried one since I've always had the strap type on hand and it works.

- D

 

Sorry to hear your experience. Is your cup type wrench plastic or steel? Did it fit snugly?

I ordered this one

New England's Largest Toyota Parts and Accessories Retailer

and received a generic equivalent wrench that fits both the Prius filter and a larger size one (there is a step in the fluted end so both size can fit snugly). It is made of steel and works well. Good luck!

 

Thank you.
the wrench I had was a thicker plastic one (I think..I have to look). I do know that before trying to get the old filter of it fit the new filter snugly, but after it seemed a tad loose.

Funny, the link you posted was for a filter wrench for a 2008-2009 Prius......I have a 2007. I thought all Gen II Priuses were the same?

Frank D.

 

I think you are right. The filter is 90915-YZZF2, right? If so then it should work fine. Good luck!

 

Reviving this thread (or trying, anyway) - The other things to be done at each 5,000 mile mark besides the oil change are to inspect the brakes and rotate the tires. Is anyone doing this stuff, too? If you're taking the car in to have these things done, what's the benefit of changing the oil yourself?

-Imp