Months or miles?

The recommended maintenance schedule for the Prius is 6 months or 5,000 miles, which ever comes first. So the strict, "by the books" answer is to go by which ever one comes first.

That being said, plenty of people here have done used oil analysis and shown that the Prius is extremely gentle on the oil, and it can probably last twice as long as recommended.

In the end, the decision is up to you. if you push the car past the recommended maintenance schedule on a regular basis, and run into some associated problem down the line (for example, premature wear due to engine sludge), it's possible that the Toyota mechanics can put two and two together and find the answer is no warranty service for the problem. Note, however, that the burden of proof is on them - they have to show that your decision to not abide by their maintenance schedule caused the problem you're asking them to fix.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jmadison @ Jan 4 2007, 04:04 PM) [snapback]370935[/snapback]</div>

Having had a few cars around just as project "toys" that would see less than 5000 mi. / year, I'd recommend going by months if you are doing mostly short trips, e.g. 5 miles to work or wherever and back, and going by miles if you are doing more highway driving. The theory there being that the short trips are allowing more moisture etc to remain in the oil without being boiled off on a long highway trip. If you are getting somewhat close to 12,000 miles per year, it works out about the same either way, so whatever schedule works best for you is fine.

 

I base my oil changes on miles or do them once a year if the car is stored. Vehicle manufactures all say miles and time, whichever happens first, yet apparently the time sitting on a dealers lot doesn't count. Which makes no sense and supports my belief in using a mileage based schedule.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Jan 4 2007, 04:14 PM) [snapback]370945[/snapback]</div>

My 2005 Prius came with a booklet called "Service & Warranty" which is for all Toyota models, not just the Prius. Is there a similar booklet specially for the Prius?
My booklet says there should be a full service every 20,000 miles or 2 years, whichever comes first. There should also be an "Intermediate oil & filter service with additional...checks" every 10,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first. Nothing about 6 monthly checks.

I was charged over £100 (more than $200) for the one Intermediate service which I had last year (considerably less than 10,000 miles) so I expect to pay at least twice that for this year's "full" service.

A consolation to what seems a high charge for very little work is that from the 1970s to 1990s I was paying considerably more for regular service to a Volvo 240 and then a VW Passat. And of course I'm paying about 50% less for fuel for the Prius.

 

I base my regular maintenance (which is mostly oil changes) on miles. The only exception has been replacing the Intrigue's coolant at 5 years instead of the 100,000 miles due to the feared buildup of goo. I have come to believe that the manufacturer's oil change interval is too frequent. This was a suspicion before coming here. After looking at the data posted here I believe it to be fact.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jmadison @ Jan 4 2007, 01:04 PM) [snapback]370935[/snapback]</div>

This is a question that I have since I put about 2400 miles a month on my 06 Prius. The maintenance light came on at 5000 and I only had it for 2 months. So am I suppost to be changing oil and performing maintenance every 2 months? I know this sounds stupid to be asking this question but I was wondering if I could just do regular maintenace every 10,000 since that would be 4 months and the tech would turn off that annoying maintenace required light.

Thanks!

Karen

 

what ever occurs first.

if you drive 5000 miles in a week, then , change the oil.
oil changes are about the most important maintenence you can do.

 

Well, even at almost twice the mileage interval recommended, my used oil analysis was very good with plenty of reserve TBN. That was running Mobil 1 0W-30 for one interval and Mobil 1 0W-20 for another interval, with the parts counter Toyota oil filter.

I'm sure Toyota will claim 6 months OR 5,000 miles or you risk losing warranty. If I was running my crap dealer oil, I'd probably change it twice as often. YMMV

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Jan 8 2007, 05:23 PM) [snapback]372805[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the suggestion on the oil type which may help with the high mileage / high wear and tear. Also I really dont want to have any warranty issues, just got lazy with all the commuting. Will get the vehicle in by next week at the latest (promise).

Karen

 

The time is overdue for mandating oil changes at 5000 miles or X number of hours, whatever comes first. We have hour meters on tractors, stationary diesel generators and other power producers and users. With PHEVs and EVs oil changes will be less frequent or largely eliminated.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skruse @ Jan 9 2007, 12:41 AM) [snapback]372923[/snapback]</div>

If it was up to me, I'd mandate something like every 10,000 miles, 12 months, or "x" hours

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Jan 7 2007, 07:19 AM) [snapback]372017[/snapback]</div>

Which oil does the European Prius require? ACEA A1, A3, or A5? Thanks.

Dennis

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maineprius947 @ Jan 12 2007, 08:02 AM) [snapback]374605[/snapback]</div>

I would like to know that too. It probably isn't quite as bad as the truly awful No Name Mystery Oil Company That Went Out Of Business Yesterday that was filling the dealer tote bin.

 

yeah if you want the warranty, you're stuck following the rules which are every 5k miles OR every 6mo, whatever comes first. or, you can make your own rules but don't count on warranty coverage.

once the warranty's over and they won't cover it as such, you're welcome to change as often as you feel like since repairs are on your dime.

not saying one way is better than another. i got lambasted for apparently not clearing that up enough last time i got into this.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(maineprius947 @ Jan 12 2007, 08:02 AM) [snapback]374605[/snapback]</div>

I don't know. The manual says use, "the Toyota Genuine Motor oil range". On page 333 it recommends 'SAE SW-30' as the best choice for fuel economy and good starting in cold weather. I've no idea what that means.

 

And to clarify (mostly from the previous post about 12 months/10k miles from our friend in the UK), Europe requires a different interval than the US. Us requires 5k miles or 6 months, while Europe (most of it, at least) requires 10k miles or 12 months.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Jan 12 2007, 03:03 PM) [snapback]374817[/snapback]</div>

What possible reason could there be for the difference? Does the above clarification refer to the European and US law?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Jan 13 2007, 09:02 AM) [snapback]375157[/snapback]</div>

Not to be cynical, but I suspect Europe takes conserving resources more seriously than the U.S.

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Jan 13 2007, 09:02 AM) [snapback]375157[/snapback]</div>

It is not the law. It is the lubricant. EU motor oils standards are more stringent than the United States'.