Oil Change 2010 Prius - do it yourself

You gave me the good feeling that I can do this myself. I have always changed my own oil but this car had be feeling I needed to use the dealer

 

Amsoil has removed the EAO 25K filters for Toyota's due to concerns about oil pressure when going the full 25K between changes. I was told by my Amsoil jobber to use teh 0 -20 synthetic but change the filter cartridge every 7500K. May want to check this out

 

IMO, it's not completely officially official until Toyota USA puts it on their website, or until some official documentation from Toyota USA can be obtained stating this.

YES, I agree it looks like this will become official, but IMO it's not 100% there yet.

Here in Canada there is no indication this will become official here. A woman who called from a local dealer looking to get our car in for first oil change claimed that Toyota Canada has no intention of making this move. Of course that doesn't mean it won't happen eventually. (She claimed to have checked with Toyota Canada after I brought it up and she returned my call.)

 

Nah!.... you don't need to stinkin Dealer!....

Its like anything else, once you've done it once, its a piece of cake.
Getting under the car is the biggest hassle.

Use a small screwdriver that fits in those little pin slots and those pop off very easy with a simple twist... if you use one too big, or try to pry them, its a real fight and you can break them.

You can do it! :cheer2:

 

I'd agree you don't need to take it to a dealer! I just changed the oil for the first time on my 2010 Prius, yesterday.

Observations: the "push pins" came out easily enough, but you need a small screwdriver to release them, and want to be gentle with them, maybe numbering the one that is unlike the other two, so you reinstall it in the right position. The folding access panel likes to be in the way, so it's a good idea to somehow get it to stay folded away, like by using a bungie cord. My 65-mm, "KD Tools #3253" filter wrench worked just fine. The TRD oil filter I installed fit exactly, part number: PTR43-52090.

Good luck!

 

I agree, this car is fairly easy for DIY oil changers. Just get it high enough to swing the little "door" open, I use Rhino ramps with a couple of 2 X 6 planks under each one. I did break one of the push pins (the big one in the middle) but it was only about 20 degrees F and it was brittle, at least that's my excuse.

I've got the door held up with tie wraps now and I'll find a better way to secure it next spring.

Remember if you take your car to the dealership for an oil change the guy who is going to do the work is not the Prius technician. It's probably some kid working for close to minimum wage who might have been flipping burgers the week before. You will most likely take a bit longer and do a better job.

 

How much oil should be put in to prevent overfill? I know you can use the dipstick as a guide, but I thought I would ask anyway!

 

I put in 4 quarts then run it for a min or so and check it after it drains down. It will take another couple of tenths of a quart to bring it up to within a 1/4 inch or so of the full mark.

 

Yep... 4 quarts for the 2010.... 3.5 for the GenII.

One reason I prefer quart bottles rather than gallon jugs.

 

Most people prefer a little less and feel it helps gas mileage... thats why I go with 4.

 

Has anyone explained how a little less oil can help gas mileage? I know how too much could get high enough to splash around, but the proper level shouldn't contact any moving parts, so how does it hurt mileage?

 

Something about higher head pressures with more oil..... excess is supposedly blown off.

There are some extensive threads back in the GenII section.. maybe someone else can remember more details.

 

Something I noticed.

Oil is 5 mm (5/16") below full on dipstick.

But for some reason, there is a faint line of oil about 1" above full mark but only on the side of the dipstick facing the front of the car.

I imagine there is some ledge or something there that retains some oil ?

 

I see exactly the same thing, but if I check it after it has been setting overnight I usually don't. There must be something that takes quite a while to drain down.

 

Well this last paragraph makes me relutant to take advantage of my first two services that are suppose to be "on the dealer". I think your thoughts about who will be doing the oil change is correct, I just have been trying not to think about it! Maybe I'd better order some of the oil filters on Ebay and just do it myself. Hate not to take advantage of the dealers service though, ----- hopefully those services will be the only time they see the car, ---- like my Camry, an '02. Will have to think hard about this!

 

Just tell them how much "exactly" oil to put in and change it at the "Regular" time go get your freebee.

I wouldn't use them for prolonged oil changes though.....

The worst that could happen is you get the bulk oil.... hopefully they will actually change your filter.. of course you never know unless you check or watch them do it. It would be a hassle to pull the cover to check.

They have little motivation for your car to run troublefree!

 

Did my first oil/filter change myself yesterday. 2,700 miles. Couldn't wait any longer to get that original oil out of it. Will let the dealer do the next two, probably 10K, and 17.5K, or more. The dealer barely wants to admit that the interval has been changed to 10K, and presses all to have it done at 5K. I will change it somewhere in between.

Have one question to ask. When I put the new oil filter into the "cup", it seemed to be on a spring. That is you could push it down into the cup more, but when you let go of it, it sprang back up, maybe less than a 1/2". Is that the way it is suppose to be?????

I went to the dealer and got the proper Toyota oil filter for it. I didn't notice that the old one was like that when I removed it along with the cup. But then I didn't try to push it down, only grabbed it and pulled it out of the cup. It did look like the new one was "in" the cup to the same place the old one had been, and the cup screwed back on just fine.

Do you all replace the washer on the drain plug each time you remove it??? Mine was well attached to the oil pan and I tried to pull it off with my finger nail, then just decided to reuse it. Will check in a few days to make sure it doesn't leak. I found another washer of the proper size in my parts bin, so will get some more crush washers using it for the proper size.
Also I'm sure there is torque #'s somewhere for the drain plug----???
The oil filter cup seemed as though you just snug it up securely, as there is a "clip" that looks like it's meant to hold it from vibrating loose........, right??

 

Here are the drain plug washers: (10) Oil Plug Gaskets (a must for each oil change) 90430-12031-BAG10 I change the washer every time but they probably will last through several oil changes. I just use a flat bladed screwdriver and put the blade against the washer being careful not to contact the oil pan mating surface. Give it a whack with the heal of my hand and the old one comes right off. First one, from the factory, was stuck on pretty good.

Here are filters from the same place: Genuine Toyota Cartridge Oil Filter FREE SHIPPING! 04152-YZZA6-CASE10 $46 for 10 free shipping.

It's been a couple of months since I changed mine last and I don't remember if there is some kind of spring in the cap or not, must be or you wouldn't have felt it.