Extending service from 5k to 10k

Could you scan and post the UOA?

 

Attached--the interval at time of the UOA was just about 9K.
Thanks
~T
Edit: This was the third oil change. The first at 5K, second at ~9700, and #3 at ~18,500. The oil was in the crankcase about 6 months exactly.

 

Thanks for posting. Doesn't seem to be as healthy as some that have been posted. I wonder if it has to do with the time period rather than the mileage. In anycase, I will definitely do my 2nd change soon and get the UOA done.

 

Your UOA isn't actually bad.

Perhaps the Prius operational scenario of repeated engine stops and starts is factor.

Also, the specified 0W20 oil is fairly unique -- somewhat lighter than the 5W20 and 5W30 grades typically specified for US cars and notably lighter that the 5W40, 10W30 and 0W40 grades that are that are typically specified for European cars.

What oil is specified for cars like Corolla and Camry?

 

I just past my first 5k mark on my Prius. I bought it in November, does the oil that come with the new Prius cars just regular oil or synthetic? And also I was confused about whether the 10k point was the new interval or if it was by the time you reach one year or 10k. I don't think I'll even drive that much in a year. But my "Oil Maintenance Required" display keeps coming up. Is that automated by the computer at 5k, or is that bc I REALLY do need to get my oil changed? Does anyone know what really is triggering the warning display? I don't plan on getting my oil changed until I go on a long road trip next month. Any thoughts to a somewhat newbie?

 

the 2010 comes from factory with synthetic oil. The maintenance required light is a reminder for you to rotate your tires and such now rather than change your oil.

 

It should come from the factory with the 0W-20 synthetic. Perhaps some additives not routinely put in at a regular change. There are lots of opinions on the matter, and I'm sure no expert, but I'd get the factory fill changed out at 5K, not wait until 10.

OTOH, my previous car--an Acura RSX--came with express directions saying *absolutely* leave the factory fill in for 10K and then change at 7500K after that. I left that initial oil in for 10K as they said, and afterwards went to 5K intervals, and it never ever used a drop of oil. So who knows. But I don't think you'd go wrong with changing it now.

 

All Toyota 0W-20 should be synthetic. In fact, i heard only synthetic oils can qualify for the 0W-20 certification, so any 0W-20 should last 10k no problem. 10k miles on synthetic is nothing really. Mobil 1 EP is rated to 15k, Amsoil is 25k i believe.

 

Yes, but. There was no harm in that difference, after you rotate them just run them until you get the same difference again and then rotate them again. As you near the end of the tires tread life you might want to rotate them earlier once if needed to have them hit your acceptable wear limit at the same time.

 

I've frequently posted on the topic of API vs ACEA oil specs, and how even the bare minimum ACEA A1 is light years beyond the current API/ILSAC

Consider all those sludged up Toyota engines following the maintenance "by the book." Why didn't the same Toyota engines in the EU, run for 12 months or 10,000 miles, experience the same sludge issue?

I have also posted UOA from my 2004 Prius, and a couple from my '07 FJ. My FJ for some reason is very hard on oil, the factory fill was essentially used up at 3,500 km. Dealership refill and conventional Valvoline 5W-30 were done by 5,000 km. The biggest issue was nitration spikes and as a result no reseve TBN

The ACEA oils that are rated A3/B3-B4 have a much stouter additive package, they are intended for severe service and extended oil changes. One such oil is the made in Germany Castrol Syntec 0W-30

Another such oil is the Mobil European Car Formula 0W-40. I've run the Syntec in my Prius, and both in my FJ. The Syntec 0W-30 holds up extremely well. The EU Formula 0W-40 tends to shear down to a 12 cSt, but otherwise holds up very well

Mobil 1 0W-20 worked very well in my Prius, with perhaps 200ml oil consumption over 12 months or 16,000 km. No oil consumption with the Syntec 0W-30. With my Prius, no difference in fuel economy either

With my FJ, I tried my leftover Mobil 1 0W-20 as a "winter" oil a couple of winters ago. Despite only putting on 4,000 km, the oil performed poorly with extreme nitration spikes and very low TBN. Due to the nitration, it actually thickened to a 30 range anyway

The only way to know for sure if a given oil and filter combination works for you, is to have UOA performed. One cannot make a blanket statement "the oil worked well" without a lab analysis

 

Can someone opine?

I got the oil change at 5k. Guy in dealership said it's a 10k interval. I said I've heard that online but my manual says 5k so hook me up. He did. Got it changed. Now at 9.5k I'm getting "oil maint. required" when I turn on the car. I KNOW the interval is now 10k and it is fine (got something in the mail); going 5k on syn oil is a waste of money and I won't do it. Especially on the Prius which has its engine engaged and under stress with another car doing more than 10k is flushing that cash for sure.

Why is this silly light coming on, though? Wouldn't they have reset it at the stealership and is it only coming on because I've done 5k since last change and the software isn't up to date on Toyota's current recommendations?

BTW I also partly went for the 5k because it was first fill during break-in and wanted to get new oil in there. I assume they put syn in like factory. I'll do subsequent oil changes myself.

FWIW the interval (for normal driving) on my 00 maxima was 7500 and it's 7500 on my 04 MPV. Both were factory filled with non-synthetic.

 

You will continue to get the reminders @ 5K. Other things need to be done @ those intervals like tire rotation, etc. Just reset it as described in other posts.

 

7500 miles on a 2004 MPV with conventional oil? The engine must be ticking like a clock. I could go around 5000-6000 miles on M1 before the motor started to get noisy.

 

You forgot wallet vacuuming.

Except for looking for stuff ready to fall off at the first 5k, the other 5k checks are nonsense. 10k or a year is often enough for any mainstream production car.

 

Couldn't agree more if a person brings the car into the dealer.

 

I couldn't deal the ticking, I had mine changed at 7400 miles. Let's see if Amsoil can hold up better.

 

Nope, in fact the motor runs nicely and pulls as hard as it ever has (granted, that's just on feel) as 93k.

You're noticing an engine tick in a Prius with a 7400 oil change on factory...? There is definitely something wrong there.

I've only personally heard ticking in one car in my life, a Maxima that was running on bad coils. If you're getting a tick due to an extended oil change you've absolutely gone way too long and I would be worried about the cause.

 

I have sensitive hearing and know what I am looking for, I can tell when the lifters start to tick due to lack of lubrication. It's usually the first sec after initial start up.

As for the Mazda, the engine is a joke. The car has 60K miles, I went through 6 new coils and a new PCV and new plugs. Oil analysis back up my finding as the oil was all cooked after about 5K miles on synthetic.