2010 Prius oil debate

Right on Dean, thanks for bringing it back! Now I can get my daily fix. We got to keep the pressure on or it will never get addressed (one way or the other) and we know that Toyota does monitor this forum.

 

As a potential Prius owner, I would like the straight scoop on what is the OCI.
Thanks for posting this topic.

 

I'm going to buy in the next month and asked the sales manager at a dealer about it. He told me he couldn't say anything for sure but that Toyota was considering the 10K oil change and it looked to him like the change would be made. He just had no idea how soon. I was at UCLA talking to a guy who was studying oil and friction for a thesis and he said 10K miles for a synthetic was no problem. But he emphasized the need for a matched, larger, filter.

 

Guys, with the right oil, you can easily go 10k. Pennzoil Platinum, Mobil 1, Motul, Amsoil, Lubri-Moly, Castrol Edge.

I've posted used oil analysis time and time again. I understand you're being cautious with your new purchase, but understand the manufacturer and dealer aren't there to save you money on service. If they could get away with it, they'd tell you that washing your car anywhere besides the dealer would void the warranty.

 

I was curious on this as well, 5k or 10k. Then when I got my coupon book that comes with the prepaid maintenance plan I figured I got my answer. I expected it to be coupons for every 5000 miles to change oil, but nope, the coupons are only for every 10,000 miles. So essentially Toyota is telling me to service my Prius every 10,000 miles.

 

5,000 miles

 

You bought the prepaid - what was the cost??? That's funny that they are moving to 10K in NC...............

 

No Toyota isn't, your dealer is

 

It seems that the debate will simply go on and on -- but to no avail. Nearly everyone agrees that synthetic could allow you to go 10K for an OCI. BUT, Toyota is the one who has offered the warranty, and they are recommending 5,000 miles (with synthetic oil). Vary from this at your own discretion, understanding the implications and risks.

Agreed. Except for directions offered by one dealer, the warranty period hasn't changed, so the only real certainty is the the number is 5,000 miles unless or until it is changed.

AND, the warranty is provied by the manufacturer, not by the dealer. Be careful to distinquish between the two.

 

The answer is 5K and I believe Totyota will never change it for the 2010 Prius.

I have been talking a lot with different dealers lately regarding different things and the most experienced tells me that it is better that I forget this OCI issue and just accept it because it is unlikely to change.

 

I think in 100's of pages of messages the question has been asked and answered many times. If the answer is not satisfactory, then get off the computer and call Toyota. Nothing better than the original source.

 

I firmly believe that it will be changed to 10,000 miles. It's not a matter of it, but a matter of when...

Bryan

P.S. No matter what Toyota says, I'm going with 10,000 miles on both cars now that I've switched to Mobile 1.

 

My 2009 dodge journey "requires an oil change every 6,000 miles or six months whichevr comes first". I don't drive it much so to stay in strict compliance, I may be changing my oil with 3,000 miles on it. I use Mobil 1 BTW.

Going a year on a single oil change is a long time considering the moisture, fuel and dirt that can get in there. (Only UOA is going to tell the story). A small problem can be mitigated with more frequent changes and go unnoticed. Going 10,000 miles, with a small engine problem could allow you to run the engine a long time with potentially contaminated oil and do more cumulative damage.

If I were toyota, I would stick with the 5,000 miles because it would lessen the risk of having to make major engine repairs for free.

I understand the concerns about consuming less oil, and the expense of wasting oil, but from an engine preservation perspective, it makes sense. If one was monitoring their oil quality regularly, I woul feel safe with the longer OCI, but if you are like most people, the shorter one is better.

If I were going to go the 10k miles, I would do a UOA after the first two changes at 5k miles, and if they looked good, then go 8 or 10k, but continuing the UOAs as proof that there is nothing wrong with my engine. (The problem with all that...human nature being what it is...why not just change the oil more often instead of going through all that trouble and expense?)

Just my thoughts...

 

Yes, but in the 2011 year model.

 

What "Closure" does anyone want? It is 5K miles. The only "open" issue is a bunch of gossip and hearsay. I guess I don't get it.