Had a Tony Schaefer moment...

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by efusco, Aug 16, 2009.

Page 1 of 3
  1. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,194
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I was due for my 10k mile oil change, but had been on vacation, working, running errands, and generally too busy to do it all this past couple weeks.

    Finally, yesterday, the family was out of town at the lake house and I got out of work at a decent hour, and they weren't coming home for an hour or two. So as soon as I got home, without even shutting down the Prius, I drove her up on the ramps (I did then shut down).

    I immediately got to work draining the oil and replacing the filter, even changed the cabin air filter while the oil was draining.

    I closed the Fumoto valve, made sure the filter was snug, pulled the car off the ramps (in EV mode) and back into the garage.

    Then the trouble began. I went to get the oil...and there wasn't any! I usually buy enough for the next oil change and thought I had what I needed, but hadn't double checked before draining. Brilliant:eek:

    All's well, after dinner we took my wife's car to the store to buy some (decided to try 0W20 for the first time) then filled up the engine a on a delayed oiling program I plan to market! I would've taken the e-bike to buy some, but my wife would be home shortly after I got back, I'd be sweaty, and we had to head straight to dinner when she got home making that a not-so-desirable option.

    Anyway, most people are smart enough to do something this dumb, but always check that you have everything you need before starting an oil change.
     
    #1 efusco, Aug 16, 2009
  2. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    946
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Doc, it's just further proof that it really is Tony's world, and we are all just a little part of it!!!

    That will teach YA!!
     
    #2 KK6PD, Aug 16, 2009
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,128
    16,358
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    hehe. Good story, doc.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Aug 16, 2009
  4. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2005
    9,810
    468
    0
    Location:
    MD
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    shall we break out the hair bleach and just send ya all the way blonde? :D

    [ducks]
     
    #4 galaxee, Aug 16, 2009
  5. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2004
    14,487
    1,519
    0
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Everything I need for an oil change for the Prius: An appointment at the dealership.

    The Porsche and the Xebra are a bit more complicated: How do you change the oil in a car that doesn't use any? Hmmm... I think there's a zen koan in there somewhere.
     
    #5 daniel, Aug 16, 2009
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,194
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Come on guys, keep the beatings coming...this horse ain't dead yet!:deadhorse:
     
    #6 efusco, Aug 16, 2009
  7. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2004
    13,439
    641
    0
    Location:
    Winnipeg Manitoba
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Well, as a sympathetic guy who unfortunately has NEVER EVER made a mistake like that, all I can say is

    BWAAA HAAAA HAAA HAAA HAAAA!!!

    But seriously, a good lesson learned. And stop hanging around with Tony so much. He's turned out to be a serious Malfunction Magnet. I fully expect your Prius to lose its rear exhaust system now, or to have one of the taillights start flickering at random times

    As far as the 0W-20, if you have run your motor most of its life on a good synthetic, you shouldn't have any issues switching to 0W-20. I ran my Prius the first 60,000 on Mobil 1 0W-30, then switched to 0W-20.

    No issues at all, no difference in oil consumption (Very low anyway) even at 10,000 mile intervals. Actually, my wear metals very slightly declined using 0W-20

    I now have several cases of 0W-20, and since I recently sold my '04, am a bit unsure what to do with it. I found out my FJ does NOT like 0W-20. Hmmm, may have to buy that 2010 after all
     
    #7 jayman, Aug 16, 2009
  8. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,194
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the love and understanding.

    Good idea, I think my flux capacitor is already starting to become unharmonized.

    Good to know. I had a UOA done 20k miles ago and everything was in great shape. I plan to do another at 100k...more to prove the ICE is in good shape than anything else.

    I'd missed the news that you'd sold your Prius.:( I paid $6.27USD/quart for the 0W20 (5W20 was the same price), so that case is pretty valuable stuff.
     
    #8 efusco, Aug 16, 2009
  9. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2004
    13,439
    641
    0
    Location:
    Winnipeg Manitoba
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Yer welcome!

    :boink:

    Just kidding.

    :hug:

    Just keep the car away from Tony

    Around 2 months ago. Had no more need for a commuter vehicle. On average, I put on 30 miles a week. I can now work from the home 4-5 days a week.

    Most of the 0W-20, no more than $4.50 a quart. Some on sale for $2.99
     
    #9 jayman, Aug 16, 2009
  10. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2004
    9,387
    3,637
    0
    Location:
    Kunming Yunnan China
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Better this than coming up a few clamps short in the operating room.

    But why are we associating all this with Cousin Tony? I can't remember if he's forgetful or not :)
     
    #10 tochatihu, Aug 16, 2009
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,128
    16,358
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    :drum:
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Aug 16, 2009
  12. LRKingII

    LRKingII New Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2009
    679
    132
    0
    Location:
    Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    It's a headlight thing if i remember right. :D
     
    #12 LRKingII, Aug 16, 2009
  13. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2007
    10,664
    567
    0
    Location:
    Adelaide South Australia
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    hahaha Evan, hahaha you did what??
    oh my that is just soo funny.

    Actually, I almost did this myself, I couldn't find the oil filter I knew I had.
    Don't just be sure you have the stuff you need, make sure it is all to hand before you drain the oil.
    After over an hour of searching I found the filter, it had fallen behind a work bench.
     
    #13 patsparks, Aug 16, 2009
  14. ctbering

    ctbering Rambling Man

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    1,650
    124
    5
    Location:
    Chicago Illinois
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Same thing happened to me when I lived in the suburbs. I had the Toyota Celica on the ramps in the garage and realized after draining the oil I had no new oil for a refill. Fortunately, I had a spare bike that was in the garage. The bike tire had a flat so I walked the bike to the bike shop where they discovered gear differential problems. It took about two hours on a weekend afternoon. I became preoccupied with the bike and forgot about the car.
    Long story short, I was able to get the bike fixed and rode it around the neighborhood.
     
    #14 ctbering, Aug 16, 2009
  15. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2004
    14,816
    2,499
    66
    Location:
    Far-North Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Damn, you guys are brutal.
    And no, Doc, I always check the new oil and the oil catcher BEFORE I start the process.

    So it sounds like you actually had an Evan moment.
    Also, if you find yourself doing an organ transplant, please check that you have the replacement before you get started.
     
    #15 TonyPSchaefer, Aug 16, 2009
  16. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2004
    13,439
    641
    0
    Location:
    Winnipeg Manitoba
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Awww, you know we laugh WITH you, never AT you

    Here ....

    :hug:

    Are your tender feelings any better?

    :rolleyes:
     
    #16 jayman, Aug 17, 2009
  17. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2004
    14,816
    2,499
    66
    Location:
    Far-North Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    The skin's easily sunburned but thick otherwise.
     
    #17 TonyPSchaefer, Aug 17, 2009
  18. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2009
    860
    53
    0
    Location:
    Ocala,Fl
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Agreed:)
     
    #18 Sandy, Aug 17, 2009
  19. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2006
    18,058
    3,076
    7
    Location:
    Northern Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Mix it with vodka. Not only does it taste good, but it will keep you regular.

    Tom
     
    #19 qbee42, Aug 17, 2009
  20. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2004
    13,439
    641
    0
    Location:
    Winnipeg Manitoba
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    No doubt, but I actually have no trouble being "regular"

    Seriously
     
    #20 jayman, Aug 17, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 3