Checked The Oil Level: Overfilled, But Have Had Good Mileage

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Sid, Jul 24, 2005.

  1. Sid

    Sid New Member

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    I got my Prius on July 2nd and now have 1567 miles on it. Today I checked the oil level (I know I should have checked sooner) and it was above the second mark on the dipstick, the ICE had been off for several hours.
    This is how the car came from the dealer, there's been no additional oil changes.
    My mileage has been good, 507 miles for the last tank, and 51 to 54 MPG based on the MFD. At this point, should I have the excess oil removed by the dealership, try myself, or not worry about it?
    Of course when I take it for the 5K service I will insist on 3.5 to 3.8 quarts only.
     
    #1 Sid, Jul 24, 2005
  2. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Re: Checked The Oil Level: Overfilled, But Have Had Good Mil

    Good question and - from my 250km observations - probably no difference in fuel economy.

    I took a long weekend and went out to the hobby farm, where I decided to change the oil myself the first time. In the city I live in a condo and am not allowed to work on the car in the underground parking garage.

    The previous two oil changes were done by the dealer, which always left the oil level about 2-4 mm over full.

    I put on a new Toyota filter and put in 3 U.S. quarts of Mobil 1 0W-30. This puts the oil level almost exactly between the two dots. At least on the drive back today, there was no difference in fuel economy that I could detect.

    I'll try a couple of weeks of city driving and see if there is anything to report.
     
    #2 jayman, Jul 24, 2005
  3. silentak1

    silentak1 Since 2005

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    I believe that almost all Prius come slightly overfilled from the factory. That is how my came and what most owners have reported.

    Why? No idea.
     
    #3 silentak1, Jul 24, 2005
  4. jamarimutt

    jamarimutt New Member

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    Re: Checked The Oil Level: Overfilled, But Have Had Good Mil

    I aks the person who changes the oil to add 3.5 quarts and I add some more when I get home. I am pretty sure that adding 4 quarts will do no harm... who measures 3.9 quarts, anyway?
     
    #4 jamarimutt, Jul 24, 2005
  5. Sid

    Sid New Member

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    Re: Checked The Oil Level: Overfilled, But Have Had Good Mil

    While we're discussing oil, and I know this has been mentioned on more than one ocassion, but when is it "OK" to switch to synthetic oil?
    At the 5K change or later?
    Thanks again for the knowledge :)
     
    #5 Sid, Jul 24, 2005
  6. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Re: Checked The Oil Level: Overfilled, But Have Had Good Mil

    I decided to wait until I had 16,000km / 10,000 mi.
     
    #6 jayman, Jul 25, 2005
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