First Oil Change

Hi Dhoward,

I fill my oil filter with oil, install it, and then put in 3 quarts. Comes out perfect. 1/4 inch below the top mark.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dhoward @ Sep 23 2007, 11:41 AM) [snapback]516520[/snapback]</div>

Hello DHoward,
Melody also from Mass., I just got to 1200 miles on my 2007.
Is this your first time back to your dealer?
Did you purchase the car from Ira Toyota in Danvers?
Since they sell and service Prius shouldn't they know?
Given that the car been on the market for 10 years?
Please let us know how the oil change works out.
Melody

 

donee,

Why not just get a larger capacity oil filter; one that will hold more oil?

 

you should tell them to just put 3 qts. in because that gets it up past the halfway part on the dipstick.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dhoward @ Sep 23 2007, 01:08 PM) [snapback]516600[/snapback]</div>

I just got my first oil change done by the dealer where I bought the Prius, and sure enough the oil level shows over .5" high on the dipstick. This is actually one of the better dealers in the area for service, based on past experience. We started going to them a few years ago because the we were looking for a dealer with a service department that appeared to be competent and relatively honest. I'm dissapointed that they got this wrong.

 

people, the book says 3.9 quarts. if you do not specify otherwise, the guy at the dealership is gonna go by the book because his job depends on it. that does not make him an idiot. if it he puts in more than 3.9, yes, he is an idiot. if you make a request and it is not followed, then it is a customer service issue.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dhoward @ Sep 23 2007, 10:41 AM) [snapback]516520[/snapback]</div>

I just changed my oil too. After letting the oil drain for 15min, I put in 3.4 qts and that went all the way to the full mark. I would recommend trying 3 qts 1st.

 

I just changed my oil as well. I did the 5K service, which is nothing more than an oil change and a tire rotation, at 4664 miles in preparation for a trip later this week. I switched to Mobil 1. I used almost all 4 quarts (less than a 1/4 of qt. left over) and was dead on the full mark after I ran the engine.
Nothing to it. Everything is very easy to access, even for those of you doing it in your driveways.

I will have to comment on the selling dealer one more time, however. <_< When we bought the car they put Nitrogen in the tires for free. However, they only put in 30psi worth of Nitrogen. I thought the car wasn't handling quite right in turns. When I rotated the tires I set the fronts to 42psi and rears to 40psi as per recommendations on this board (factory setting is 35psi F&R). Car handles much better now with very little degradation in ride quality.

Let's see if the synthetic oil and higher tire pressures improve fuel economy any.

Quick question: I reset the Maint. Req. light as per the owner's manual. Does this also reset the mileage counter in the MFD (under the Maintenance screen)? I didn't see a way to do it, and that screen still says I have 300 miles remaining before my oil change.

 

When I brought my Prius in for its first oil change at the dealer (done for free), I requested 3.5 qts based on what I had read on this forum. The service guy told me they would do it as long I recognized that is less than what Toyota specifies. They also noted on the receipt that I requested that amount. The level was just below the high mark on the dipstick.

I just did the second oil change myself over the weekend. I put a total of 3 qts in (including filling the filter first) and that brought the level just about midway between the low and high marks on the dipstick. After letting the engine run a few minutes and checking again, the level remained right there. So I don't see any reason to put in more than 3 qts. In fact, too much can be bad for the engine and result in lower mpg.

Seems the techs know this a problem but still put in 3.9 because that is what Toyota specificies. I suppose on a completely empty brand new engine with no residual oil whatsoever (you never get it all out), the actual capacity is 3.9 qts but it seems stange to specify that amount for an oil change when anyone who does it recognizes that using that amount would put the level above the high mark.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dhoward @ Sep 25 2007, 10:02 AM) [snapback]517373[/snapback]</div>

I'm thrilled to hear that! Was it Ira in Danvers? Please do spread the good news!

How did your tire pressure do after rotating?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ACORNBLUES @ Sep 23 2007, 07:49 PM) [snapback]516658[/snapback]</div>

Sounds like the SAME procedure I did at 4,800 miles. I "primed" my new oil filter and then (once drain plug, new gasket and filter properly installed) I filled with 3 quarts at first, checked oil dipstick, then ended up with a total of 3.4 QTS. (including oil I used in filter) and it brought the oil level on the dipstick to FULL !! Where the heck do they get 3.9 quarts from ???? That would severly overfill the engine, which, F.Y.I. when we purchased the new '07 Prius this past May, I checked the oil dipstick and it was about 1/4" ABOVE full line. I wonder if the factory "overfilled" it or the Dealer "topped-it-off" ?? Also, I have heard MANY on this forum complain the factory (original) oil filter was installed way, way too tight. I used a KD "cap-type" oil filter wrench with standard 3/8" drive socket handle (and 3" extension bar) and I found mine was NOT over-tightened at all. Maybe late "07's were "correct" as they probably got too many complaints about this problem on the early '07's ?? Just my 2 cents !!

 

I provide my tech with 3 quart bottles of oil and tell him not to top it off. Works beautifully. No fuss, no muss.

BTW, and it's sad to have to do this, but always, always, always, wait a few minutes and check the oil level yourself before driving away. If it's overfilled more than 1/4 inch or so make them drain it down. And if god forbid they didn't tighten the filter or drain plug, this will become evident before any harm is done. (Be nice to the tech and tell them before they start working on the car that you will do this. And then do it.)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Sep 29 2007, 01:45 PM) [snapback]519094[/snapback]</div>

I know that for some it is easier to have the DEALER do the oil/filter change, for others it is not allowed at their Condo or Apt. even if they wanted to do it themselves. After being a Service Manager back in 2004 (Chrysler) and seeing all the half-nice person, shortcuts, and just plain sloppiness the High School drop out that was stoned 90% of the time, who was our official Oil Changer person, do on 99% of the vehicles including high end Vettes, Mercedes, BMW's, Chryslers, etc., stripping the drain plug or leaving it loose, never changing the drain plug gasket, NEVER (unless he dropped one and could not find it) dropping NEW Oil Filters and picking them up (dented) and using them........ yep I've seen it all, and more........ I would NEVER have a DEALER perform an oil/filter change on ANY of my vehicles. JUST MY OPINION and "beliefs" and I know that there are MANY Dealers that do superb work, but I, myself was personally "screwed" back at a Volvo Dealer in 1973 in Stratford, CT. on my brand new 1973 144EA who left the "old" oil filter gasket on and put the NEW Oil Filter right over it....... leaked all the way home and lost about TWO quarts of oil over the short 12 mile drive back home to Milford. I FIXED IT MYSELF and then went back to raise Hell. I got NOWHERE trying to calmly explain to the Service manager then raising my voice was the next step. His "crew" of mechanics wanted to beat the crap out of me for being "obnoxious" and didn't believe THEY did such a stupid thing, especially when the problem was "fixed" (by me) so I could drive back there (after adding oil too).

By the way, that Volvo Dealer went out of business shortly after this incident !!

Since that day in 1973 I have changed oil/filter/drain plug washer on EVERY VEHICLE I have owned since including my girlfriend's, then my Wife's, and her family if they wanted. Oil/filter change is NOT for everybody as a "do-it-yourself" ......... it's messy and proper disposal of oil and filter is a real pain sometimes, but the PEACE OF MIND that the Oil Filter is torqued (tightened by hand) just right, the drain plug has a new gasket and is tightened properly, and the oil is exactly what I purchased, filled to the exact level that "I" want it to be, is well worth it to me. By the way, presently I am 55 years old and have been doin' this stuff for over 35 YEARS with confidence and a great feeling of self-worthiness !!

 

Just tell the dealer that if they overfill...... It's free. They hate to loose a penny!!!

Or better yet do it yourself. Go on ebay and buy an original toyota filter and plug washer. 3 1/2 qts of yur favorite oil 30 minutes later yur done.


http://stores.ebay.com/TRDparts4u_W0QQsspagenameZL2QQtZkm