I have too much oil in my new Prius

Check your manual. The engine should be at operating temp. when you check your oil. This makes a big difference

 

And leave it set about 5 minutes before checking. At 1/8 over,nothing has happened to the engine. All is ok

 

ok rick,

a question that i would really like to know is

how far over is where concern should be? i realize that checking the level when the engine is warm may not be a possibility with the technician if the engine isnt warm when it gets there.

so is ½" ok? ¼"?

 

Also don't forget the car should be absolutly level.

 

In my opinion,I think 1/4 would be that absolute highest,an 1/8 should be better.. I know that it is still overfilled in some peoples eyes,but a lot of time it is hard to get it precisely at the "full" mark. It should be as close to "full" as possible though. I know a lot of members want it no more then "full" and that is ok,everyone has there own opinions,but I wouldn't be to picky if it were mine. I know there are TSB's about the "No Start" , P3191 problems and to make sure the oil is the proper level and viscosity. But here at the shop,I have seen no Trouble Codes from oil overfull.But then most of our Prius' sold here always have their maintenance done here. I have tried to keep an eye on my oil changes lately. Our oil delivery system is metered out by the tenth and I have noticed they are over slightly. So I have begun to try and get them(parts dept) to meter out slightly less to try and see where "full" might be on an oil change. I know I will get a lot of flack back on this but as I said,everyone has their own opinion on this issue. :roll:

 

In the US the easy way to avoid an overfill is to have the tech put in exactly 3 quarts. Leaving the level halfway between ADD and FULL is good because it leaves a little room for water to accumulate between oil changes without causing problems. It will be a loooong time before any of these engines start burning oil, so there's no benefit in seeing how close you can get to FULL without going over.

 

I know that putting it half way would be good,but my customers would then scream the oil was low! And I would hope that putting it in the middle doesn't mean you think the rest will be taken up by water? I would hope not :lol:

 

i have to think that close is good enough.

one thing that i guess im doing wrong is that i always check my oil when the engine is cold. when the engine is warmed up will the level go up or down from a cold reading?

 

If you check it cold,do it before starting the engine. If checking after running,give it some time,at normal operating temp 5 minutes would be good,to give the oil to drain back into the pan. I don't believe the oil level would change if it was cold or hot. Should be the same.

 

Ricardo, don't worry. This is the factory fill. Mine is the same way, a little bit over the fill dot on the stick, I'd say probably the same as you, about 1/8 in over. I have had no issues, and can't quite see how such a little amount over the dot would cause a problem. If we could get dealers to go no farther than that on a regular basis this wouldn't be discused so much in the forums.

 

It's hard to be sure that it's the factory fill. I was told the oil got changed at the port of entry (Houston, for me), and in this forum some techs have stated that they change the oil as part of dealer prep. (Agreed, a little overfill is not a disaster, but it doesn't do any good. Rick57: no, I don't expect that water will make up the difference :_> I'm just avoiding both any question of a problem and the bother of fooling around with fractional containers of Mobil 1.)

 

I have also heard from local techs that the oil they put in the factory in Japan is routinely changed out when the car is given the PDS. For Toyota vehicles assembled in North America they probably don't have to do this.

Our European friends report their Prius require a 10W-40 oil. I think local driving conditions and weird EPA CAFE requirements push the "need" for a lighter oil.

I have no problem using a lighter oil based on the requirements of ambient temperature and local driving conditions. I'm a big fan of Mobil 1 0W-20 for winter operation.

Or like how newer Honda and Ford vehicles in North America recommend a 5W-20 or 0W-20, but the same motor used in the EU or Australia require 10W-30 up to 20W-50.

I've never believed in "topping up" oil level, as you can start to experience problems if the oil level is too full. Those with experience operating HD turbocharged diesel motors will know what I'm talking about.

Anything between Add and Full is ok.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher\";p=\"73218)</div>

I knew you didn't think it would fill with water,Richard. Guess I was being a smart a**. Sorry. I have not heard about the oil being changed at the port of entry and it isn't a part of doing pre-delivery either. Just check for leaks and level.