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Full Oil Level on Classic?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by wetntacky, Jun 15, 2004.

  1. wetntacky

    wetntacky New Member

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    Sorry it this has been discussed previoulsy. I am getting ready to take my 03 Classic into the dealer for its first oil change since I bought it. I have seen some discussions on the dealers over filling and want to be on top of this when it comes out of the shop.

    At what point on the dipstick is considered the correct fill? Any pictures out there? I usually do this myself but since they are giving me 3 oil changes, I need to use them. I'm amazed that I have put nearly 4K miles on it the first month I have had it and the color of the oil is still very clear! My car now has 18,545 miles on it so I am wondering if other Prii owners notice the same thing. On my 03 Camry, I noticed a change of color of the oil at about 1800 miles. In any case, I have to say clear is very good!
     
    #1 wetntacky, Jun 15, 2004
  2. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    It's the same engine as the 2004, but with a lower redline. So the advice is the same: 1/4 inch below the full (maximum) mark seems to be the ideal.

    There's a photo of the dipstick on the last page of this oil-change document... http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-oilchange.htm
     
    #2 john1701a, Jun 15, 2004
  3. wetntacky

    wetntacky New Member

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    Proper oil level

    After reading the pdf document, it says the full level is a 1/4 inch below the the max line. When I checked my current level, it is 1/4 above the Max line. Now I am really concerned. I call the service department and was told that level is the correct level and the proper amount oil they put into the car is 3.75 quarts. Now this pdf document has a disclaimer that all information it contains is provided by Prius owners and is not sanctioned by Toyota Motor Corp. ?????

    I told the service rep that I have read that the proper fill level is 1/4 inch below the Max line from what I consider reliable people who actually own these cars and seem to know what there are talking about. He informed me I was absolutley wrong! He said he checked with his Prius Tech for whatever that was worth. Now, who is right here? I want to tend trust Toyota based on what they have done for years. I am new to this forum and a new owner as well. Why is there such a gap in philisophy here? With my current level, I have been hitting a consistant 49 MPG in the city. Is everyone saying I can get better MPG by using Prius Owner suggestion on the fill level?
     
    #3 wetntacky, Jun 15, 2004
  4. inkydoo

    inkydoo New Member

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    I recommend you call the Toyota Customer Experience line at 1-800-331-4331 (I think there's a menu option specifically for Prius owners) and let them know your concern.

    My new '04 came from the dealer about a 1/4 inch above the high mark and I've been trying to get a local dealer (the dealer I bought it from is 200 miles away) to take some out and was getting the same answer about how it was fine. I called that line today and they told me they'd contact the local dealer to make arrangements.

    If you look around on this board you'll see that a number of people seem to have problems with overfilling by their dealers. I can't say for sure that the '03 has the same overfill warnings, but I don't see why it would be any different (if you have the manual, look through it for oil info. Mine has a colored warning box about how overfilling could damage the hybrid system).
     
    #4 inkydoo, Jun 15, 2004
  5. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Just show them the picture on page 282 of the OWNER'S MANUAL.

    It clearly indicates that above the top mark is "too full".

    It also says "Avoid overfilling, or the hybrid-system could be damaged."

    I'm not sure what excuse a dealer can come up with to claim that Toyota's own documentation is wrong. But armed with that kind of information, it sure would be worthwhile finding out.
     
    #5 john1701a, Jun 15, 2004
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