Is Fluid Analysis Really Necessary...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by TruSound, Mar 31, 2012.

  1. TruSound

    TruSound Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2012
    246
    32
    1
    Location:
    The 818
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    If your changing you vehicles fluids as prescribed, or even sooner than prescribed, and the vehicle is running well...what's the point of having your fluids analyzed ? Hypethetically speaking, if you had a fluid anaylized and the report came back showing some sort of contaminent that might effect long term reliability, what would you do about it, its not like the dealer would replace your ICE or transaxle if the report came back showing excessive metal bits in the fluid, if its not broken their not going to replace it.

    For those of you having your fluids analyized, what do you do with that information ? Although you may have a very valid reason for doing it...I personally don't see the point, so please educate me on this topic.
     
    #1 TruSound, Mar 31, 2012
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,169
    50,602
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the point is to see what different intervals and types of oil are doing. more of a long term study to educate people who want to keep their cars a long time and have a scientific basis for maintenance instead of the manufacturers schedule which is designed to get you beyond warranty and to compete with other mfg's for bragging rites. personally, i don't keep my cars beyond warranty.
     
    #2 bisco, Mar 31, 2012
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    bisco hit the nail on the head. Wouldn't be the first time. ;)

    If it were not for the genII folks who changed their transaxle fluid early and had the fluid analyzed we would never have known that it was a good idea to have it changed rather than rely on the manufacture's recommendation (lifetime fluid).

    Those individuals who take the time spend the money to have their fluids analyzed have helped build on our body of knowledge and may have helped prevent premature mechanical failures for other Prius owners who used this information. :)
     
    #3 F8L, Mar 31, 2012
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,874
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Do not discount the theory that for some folks, all of life is a science project.

    We reap the benefits of their obsession.
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Mar 31, 2012
  5. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2010
    4,539
    1,435
    9
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    An UOA will also reveal dirt leaks into the air intake system, coolant leaks into the lube system and excess fuel in the oil.

    I rarely bother with one, but they do have their down to Earth purposes.
     
    #5 xs650, Mar 31, 2012
  6. TruSound

    TruSound Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2012
    246
    32
    1
    Location:
    The 818
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    My transaxle fluid will defineitely be changed way before the prescribed 100k mark, I found with my BMW M/C final drive...sooner is way better than the factory reccomendation...I changed it very early, it was in very bad shape...with all subsiquent changes the fluid looked like the day I put it in.

    Thanks for the analysis fellas...much appreciated.
     
    #6 TruSound, Mar 31, 2012
  7. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2012
    810
    313
    0
    Location:
    NE
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Personally -- I think it is a waste of time and money ..same goes for early fluid replacement.

    it is useful on new, untested equipment or in situations where you are extending an interval past what is currently considered normal.
     
    #7 yeldogt, Mar 31, 2012
  8. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2005
    3,193
    2,325
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Another item to consider is the accuracy of these tests. At $40/analysis, you are not getting analysis but a top quality lab.
     
    #8 The Critic, Apr 1, 2012
  9. TruSound

    TruSound Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2012
    246
    32
    1
    Location:
    The 818
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I would agree that in some instances changing oil early is a waste of money, in others it's defineitely not. The BMW motorcycle I refered to is prone to final drive issues, changing the gear oil at half the factory reccomended interval will prevent these problems.

    I don't believe changing the Prius transaxle fluid early is a waste of money either. I'm sure you could go the recomended 100k distance the factory specifies...but why would you.

    Changing synthetic oil in your car every 3k miles, as some do...no doubt a waste of money...so your partially right.
     
    #9 TruSound, Apr 1, 2012
  10. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2012
    810
    313
    0
    Location:
    NE
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I have not looked into the longevity of the Prius Transaxle. I did ask a service writer about the fluid change cost and they don't change the fluid and he said he can only think on one transaxle failure. He has been at the dealer for 20+ years ... and it is a big dealer.

    I own quite a few cars -- and I own a company with many more. This does not make me an expert but I have a 25 year history of this ... plus I read the fleet magazines ... Blah Blah Blah ... not to bore you.

    I see nothing wrong with doing proper extra preventive maintenance - if you want to do it you should .... just do it correctly and use the correct fluids.

    When the designers of the components are asked about the so called degradation of the fluid and the introduction of some metallic particles - they all say the same thing -- all normally and predictable and well within the operation of the component. The big killer and the reason for changing non combustable fluids is often acid and/or moisture buildup.
     
    #10 yeldogt, Apr 1, 2012
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)