I believe I need to do my first oil change at 5k mile, am I correct? I am getting very close and I am thinking about just taking it to the oil change place and put synthetic oil in there instead of bring it to the toyota dealership. Do you think it's ok? Is there any other stuffs that Toyota does at 5k beside oil change? Should I just take it to the dealership? Reason I don't want to take it to the Toyota because I am really busy at work right now and I can't afford to take a long time break in weekday, perhaps I should try to get an appointment on weekend. Thanks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dnoh @ Jun 21 2007, 11:53 AM) [snapback]465803[/snapback]</div> You should do oil changes every 5K miles (or 6 months). While you probably don't actually need an oil change that often (our European friends only are required to do one ever ~8K miles on the exact same car), if you don't do it, it gives Toyota the ability to refuse warranty repairs on engine problems. Synthetic is fine, and you are allowed (by law) to get your oil changed at any place you want; just keep the record that you had it changed. As far as the dealer vs. an oil change place, I think that, to some extent, it is true that you get what you pay for. If you have a regular mechanic that you go to and you trust, then I think it's fine (maybe even better than the dealer) to go to him for an oil change. On the other hand, there have definitely been some "horror stories" about Jiffy Lube-type places. You can look at your "Maintenance Passport" (or whatever the heck its called) to see what's needed, but I think it's just an oil change and tire rotation.
If this is just an oil change, I will just take it to the place near my apartment. I know them and I can trust them. However, I believe Prius gets little less oil? Is that correct? How much oil should I tell them to put in? I don't want to overfilled the oil. Thanks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Betelgeuse @ Jun 21 2007, 12:01 PM) [snapback]465807[/snapback]</div> You say every 5K, my manual says every 5K, but when I went in for my first servicing last month, at the dealership, they put a sticker on my window indicating 3 mo. or 3K, just like every other car I've ever owned. When I questioned this I was told well you "can" change your oil every 5, but we really recommend every 3. It really bugs me, because I bought my car at this same dealership and one of their selling points is how you'll save money on oil changes over the life of the car as you only need them every 5K. Then their own service dept. is telling people its 3K. The dealership is the new Big Two Toyota in Gilbert, I don't recommend them.
<_< The 'dealer' 3K oil change stickers are printed in quantity, 3K oil changes are used for the 'ordinary' [not hybrid] Toyota cars. 5K oil change is quite adequate for the Prius - due in part to the fact that the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine = gasoline engine] does not run all the time. Allowing overfill of the ICE oil creates a risk of contamination of the throttle body intake area, slight but it's good to avoid it. As for your independent shop, I sometines have my oil and filter changes at my independent shop. First time, I had to be very sure he didn't over-fill the oil. With a filter change, 3½ quarts is perfect, so I take 3½ quarts of Mobil-1 5W30 in, and on occasion, I have taken only 3 quarts [fills to halfway between 'add' and 'full' on the dip stock] and top it up later. When I take my Prius to the dealer, their shop is willing to use my oil and their filter, they rotate my tires and inflate to MY requested tire pressures and deliver my Prius freshly washed. To avoid unnecessary 'additions' to my dealer bill, I take in a 'by the numbers' list of exactly what I want done. Tha only thing I don't get at my independent shop is the tire rotation, recommended at the same 5K oil change interval.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Jun 21 2007, 01:16 PM) [snapback]465865[/snapback]</div> Good info, thanks, that's how I'll do it next time. But the sticker they put in the window was hand written with return date and mileage and they use them on all prius vehicles.
When we bought our Prius, it had an oil change reminder sticker with 5000 written boldly on it. The salesman pointed at it and said, "Don't forget, you get to go 5000 miles between oil changes!" It is a good dealership to buy from, but they won't be actually DOING the oil changes... I'll drive to Olympia for that.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Atwork @ Jun 21 2007, 11:23 AM) [snapback]465825[/snapback]</div> When we received an invitation for new Toyota owners from our selling dealer we went and that question about the oil change at 3k miles came up, was told the techs have been instilled to place that on all cars since the majority say 3 k or 6 mnths so that will probably never change soon but 5 k is per manual. 3.5 qts oil but have them chk the dip stick while filling after 3 qts. to make sure not over filled. and keep all receipts.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priussoris @ Jun 21 2007, 05:45 PM) [snapback]466062[/snapback]</div> Thanks, appreciate the info.
Sales person: "Think of the money you'll save with 5,000 mile oil changes!" Service person: "Think of all the money we'll lose with 5,000 mile oil changes!"
3 quarts is fine, and is more convenient if you provide the oil (no half-full bottles left over to mess around with).
5k is standard on toyotas now, guys. nothing different in the prius there. pre-printed 3k stickers are a moneymaking scheme.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rae Vynn @ Jun 21 2007, 05:22 PM) [snapback]466049[/snapback]</div> You should ask that person what he thinks of the EU market Prius having a normal 12 month or 10,000 mile oil change interval. Even my 1990 4Runner had a normal 12 month or 7,500 mile oil change interval. With the exception of Subaru, Toyota has the shortest oil change interval on the road. So much for a purported flagship "green" company.
