1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Changing to synthetic oil

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by calpal, Sep 14, 2009.

  1. calpal

    calpal New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2005
    52
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Anyone have a naysay? Thinking of Mobil 1. What say?
     
  2. bps

    bps Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 27, 2006
    304
    119
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    If you're talking about a 2010 Prius, it already has synthetic oil. It came that way from the factory. And as for Mobile 1, it's one of the best.

    Or are you talking about your 2007? If so, your best bet may be to look in the Gen II Prius Care, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting forum.

    Bryan
     
  3. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2009
    2,945
    2,737
    0
    Location:
    OK
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm a Mobil 1 guy. I've been using it in all my vehicles for many years and not just for the engine. I'm sold on it.
     
  4. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2008
    667
    58
    0
    Location:
    Hendersonville
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Yea. It runs $22+ at WalMart for 5 qt jugs. Pure One oil filters from Amazon are about $5. Pick your weight and maintain warantee intervals and feel very secure with your choice. :)
     
  5. hotbrass

    hotbrass New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2009
    312
    34
    0
    Location:
    Cowtown
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I was told my 2010 Prius IV did not come with synthetic and should be changed every 3k mi.

    What oil are they supposed to come with?
     
  6. venom700

    venom700 Just call me Brian...

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2009
    196
    35
    0
    Location:
    Bethesda, MD
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    0w20 synthetic. Find a new dealer if they are telling you such things because they aren't telling you the right info.
     
  7. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2008
    667
    58
    0
    Location:
    Hendersonville
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Who told you that ? :confused:
    The owner's manual and probably even the oil cap should state the requirement which I have consistently read on this site : 0w-20 synthetic. Change requirements seem to have just been moved from 5000 miles to 10,000 miles. :)
    I'm sure a current PC Chat 2010 owner will verify this...since I'm only a 2009 owner....:rolleyes:
     
  8. hotbrass

    hotbrass New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2009
    312
    34
    0
    Location:
    Cowtown
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    A service advisor at Freeman Toyota in Hurst, TX by the name of Brian Powell. The same one that couldnt tell me how to program my bluetooth setup. He had to get someone else to show me the manual. :eek:

    Fortunately I didnt have time to go into it with him, otherwise I probably would have learned a lot of other things that are not true.

    Also they want me to bring my Prius in after 75 days to have the oil changed and the car checked out.

    What brand of synthetic comes in the Prius?

    Thanks!
     
  9. bluemonday

    bluemonday New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2009
    151
    26
    2
    Location:
    St. Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Not confirmed yet. Check the stickied thread, but essentially, one person was told this by their dealership and shown documents that they said supported a new oil change interval of 10k miles. It's possible the dealership is wrong or misunderstanding something and it is also possible that it is something getting rolled out that leaked to this dealership early, or who knows. The official word is that there is no new official word.
     
  10. claridiva

    claridiva New Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2009
    109
    13
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    0w-20 should be in the Prius. If you are in Fort Worth, I suggest you take it to Toyota of Fort Worth as their service dept. has treated me well. It is where I bought my Prius a few months back.
     
  11. hotbrass

    hotbrass New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2009
    312
    34
    0
    Location:
    Cowtown
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I have bought my last two trucks from Toyota of Fort Worth. I didnt get the Prius there because Freeman just happened to have a better deal and one closest to what I wanted.

    But I will take my Prius there for service.

    Anyone know what brand of oil is delivered in the Prius???
     
  12. bluemonday

    bluemonday New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2009
    151
    26
    2
    Location:
    St. Louis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I'm pretty sure it's Toyota's own brand.
     
  13. hotbrass

    hotbrass New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2009
    312
    34
    0
    Location:
    Cowtown
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    OK, I'll bite. Who is it made by?

    Generally they are quite proud to tell who's oil they use. I just havent asked a dealer, so I thought I would ask here.
     
  14. Andy_H

    Andy_H New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2009
    12
    66
    0
    Location:
    San Antonio
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It's made by Nippon Oil (U.S.A.) LTD. and is a Group III (derived from petroleum) 'synthetic' product.

    I haven't yet found a 0W-20 that isn't at least Group III.

    The MSDS is attached.

    Andy
     

    Attached Files:

    4 people like this.
  15. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    688
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I think it is most likely a Japanese oil company that they have a contract with and they may change companies from time to time. But that's just a guess.

    EDIT: Just saw Andy's post, now we know who makes it, thanks Andy.

    Like almost all of the other DIYers on this site I use Mobil 1 0W20. I don't think you have to many choices, 0W20 which is required will be a synthetic. You can buy Toyota's oil from a dealer, Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart or the auto parts store, Amsoil from a distributor and that's about it unless you go to a specialty manufacturer such as Red Line. Of those choices I think Mobil1 is the best because people who know a lot about oil, such as Jayman, recommend it. Also because Mobil 1 is less expensive and more easily available than the others.
     
  16. hotbrass

    hotbrass New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2009
    312
    34
    0
    Location:
    Cowtown
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Thanks everyone!

    Should I put the Mobil 1 in now or wait for the first oil change?
     
  17. jburns

    jburns Senior Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2005
    829
    111
    0
    Location:
    Archdale, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    It's up to you but I'll tell you this. Whether you put it in now or wait it will be the first oil change.:D
     
  18. Taebopro18

    Taebopro18 Prius Curious :-)

    Joined:
    May 29, 2009
    24
    1
    0
    Location:
    Cherry Hill, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Ok can someone clarify for me. I've read a few different threads on this and I'm somewhat confused. I just got my prius about a month or so ago. Do I get my first oil change at 5,000 miles then every 10,000 after that? Or do I wait for 10,000 miles before I get my first?
     
  19. hotbrass

    hotbrass New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2009
    312
    34
    0
    Location:
    Cowtown
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Did I read somewhere that you/I cannot reset the oil change interval warning light?

    Is there an option to get it turned off?
     
  20. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    20,174
    8,353
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    Premium
    0w-20 only comes in synthetic ... you got no choice. Whoever told you that was yanking your chain.
    ;)
    .