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Correct oil level for 2004 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jayman, Nov 22, 2005.

  1. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Richard:

    That's a serious error for Toyota to make: to confuse "dry" with "service" refill.

    As I do a lot of industrial process control work, I'm familiar with things like tank farm agitator gearboxes, paper machines, vibrating screens, centrifugal compressors, rotary screw compressors, etc.

    The manuals are usually careful in differentiating "dry" and "service" sump capacity. You're absolutely correct in that it's *impossible* to get out all the old oil from a sump. A small amount will cling to the interior surfaces, in oil galleries, the oil pump itself, etc.

    I was just surprised about the large difference in stated and actual sump capacity: 3.7 litres stated vs 3.35 litres actual.

    I don't think I'll bother with the 350ml in the future, just put in 3 litres and call it Good.

    jay
     
    #1 jayman, Nov 22, 2005
  2. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    The NAPA filter looks almost exactly like the Toyota one, in fact.
    It's actually made by Wix, and had reasonably nice things said
    about it in the various oil-filter comparison surveys I found
    around the net. I've got the original Toyota one just about drained
    out by now, and will eventually cut it open for a looksee.
    .
    _H*
     
    #2 hobbit, Nov 23, 2005
  3. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Thanks
     
    #3 jayman, Nov 23, 2005
  4. prev93

    prev93 Member

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    #4 prev93, Nov 23, 2005
  5. markl_me

    markl_me New Member

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    What if the manual is correct (3.9 US qts is really the capacity) but the dipstick marks are slightly misplaced (eg too low on the stick)?

    Just trying to think outside the box...

    Mark
    Portland, Maine
     
    #5 markl_me, Dec 1, 2005
  6. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Mark:

    Sure. I'll buy that. Makes sense too, a whole bunch of dipsticks stamped out at a plant somewhere, and the press was set up wrong. It wouldn't take much of an error either.

    For the life of me, I have no way to determine what is the "real" oil fill level. At least the large industrial equipment has sight glass systems where you can visually check.

    jay
     
    #6 jayman, Dec 1, 2005
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Now that's a thought. Can someone here ask Toyota directly about this? Is the dipstick wrong, are the manuals wrong, or what?
     
    #7 richard schumacher, Dec 2, 2005
  8. AlphaTeam

    AlphaTeam Member

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    Ok,
    I'm a little slow. You all lost me, with the quarts, liters, all different levels on the dipstick....

    What is the proper amount? So when I get my oil changed I say..."I want x.x Quarts in, not a drop more not a drop less"

    Thanks
     
    #8 AlphaTeam, Dec 2, 2005
  9. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Assuming that the dipstick is correct and the error is in the service manual, then one right answer is "three quarts" (U.S. quarts, not Imperial quarts). If you are providing the oil in quart bottles that quantity has the added virtue of convenience (no partial bottle left over to fool with). More than 3.5 quarts risks overfilling.
     
    #9 richard schumacher, Dec 3, 2005
  10. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

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    There is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) on this the fill is less than the Owners Manual. 3 to 3.5 is good.
     
    #10 hdrygas, Dec 3, 2005
  11. GreenMachine

    GreenMachine New Member

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    Wonder if the '06 Owner's Manual corrects this? Any '06 owners out there to check?
     
    #11 GreenMachine, Dec 3, 2005
  12. 925PriusGuy

    925PriusGuy Winter Gray & Blizzard Pearl Pri

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    I have an 05' and 3 quarts puts me right at the 3/4 mark....with the filter change.
     
    #12 925PriusGuy, Dec 3, 2005
  13. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

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    Yes 06 owners please reply.
     
    #13 hdrygas, Dec 3, 2005
  14. rick57

    rick57 Member

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    I just pulled up the specs from the '06 Owners Manual(from TIS site) and it looks like they didn't change it. 3.7 L, 3.9 qts, and 3.3 Imp. qts with filter change. At work I fill with 3.5 qts which put the level just under the Full mark.
     
    #14 rick57, Dec 3, 2005
  15. GreenMachine

    GreenMachine New Member

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    Thanks for taking the time to do that Rick.
     
    #15 GreenMachine, Dec 4, 2005
  16. onerpm

    onerpm New Member

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    I changed my oil this weekend, it was about 20 degrees out and I got a little frozen trying to change the filter.

    The last time, 3.5 qts. took it to the top mark on the stick; this time, it took more like 3.7.

    rpm
     
    #16 onerpm, Dec 5, 2005
  17. 200Volts

    200Volts Member

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    I've had my 04 oil changed 12 times. It has always taken 3.6 to 3.9 quarts (done at Tracy Toyota, excellent). They add the last half a quart about 100mls at a time (usually 3 or more adds to top it off exactly).
     
    #17 200Volts, Dec 5, 2005
  18. jackson5

    jackson5 Junior Member

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    #18 jackson5, Dec 7, 2005
  19. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Curious. You have checked the level yourself, right?
     
    #19 richard schumacher, Dec 7, 2005
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