Oil Change 2010 Prius - do it yourself

I bought a spring loaded variable sized wrench that worked fine. My dealer told me to go to a particular auto parts store because "that's where we bought ours." So, even my dealer is not using the SST from toyota. I reinstalled by hand (no wrench).

I think the 65 is too big, but you might be able to put a rag inside it to make it smaller. It is more like 64 with weird sides from what I recall reading.

I think you would lose some, but not too much, oil if you refill and later swap the filter. It can drain without a big sudden mess if you line up the holes just before the filter housing comes off.

 

So you are thinking that there is some back flow value or something that would keep the oil from draining out while the filter is out? That would be great if in fact true.

 

Wasn't thinking valve. Was thinking the filter opening was higher than the oil pan plug.

 

Right... Hard to believe that little pan would hold the entire 4+ qts in it. Well I am going to order the tool online and put in the new oil now. I will try to replace the filter by itself later.
Thanks!

 

I've got about 12K on my Amsoil at this point and its going great.
I only put 3.5 qts in at the beginning and I just added a full quart to get it back to par.
My theory is the 0 wt. oil is easy to lose.
This occured both in my 2010 and both 2006's... so it has nothing to do with the GenIII verses II.
A small price to pay.

I don't regret the small price increase in the Amsoil synthetic verses others.... its rated to 35K and only cost about 40% more.

We spend thousands on tires, wheels, stereo systems and all the goodies, yet we worry about an extra 15.00 bucks in oil for a 25K ride..... Humm.. I don't get it.

 

What is your TBN number at 12k miles?

 

I ordered one, thanks.

 

This is sad... my wife told me to get the right tool for the job @ the dealer (for $40), so I did what I was told... and low and behold, what was the dealer selling for almost 3x the cost? You got (er I got it) the same tool mentioned above, The Assenmacher (ASTTOY640)!

 

people change their oil without replacing the filter all the time. some fishy jiffy lube places have been known to do that. Just pour new oil in, find the right wrench, and replace the filter later. Don't wait too long though.

 

That's a bummer. Remember that when some someone tells you that you get what you pay for.

If it will make you feel any better, mine came to $19.99 with shipping instead of $16.

 

I didn't worry about testing it because so many others have gone before me with much more miles and its passed with flying colors.

I live in a clean area and have no reason to think there should be issues above normal.. especially since every time I check my air filter it has virtually nothing in it.... oil must be the same.

My only real concern is breakdown rather than dirt etc.

I figure a once a year oil change will work for me... that will be about 25K or less "I think"... thats the mileage they recommend a new oil filter even though the oil goes on to 35K....
I can't see changing the filter just to get another 10K....

Its either leave the whole shooting match on for 35K or just change both at 25K... I think I"ll be doing the latter.... thats convenient for me and I'm not worried about the extra 10K if I have to put another filter on anyway.

And I don't think its wise to go the full 35K with the same oil filter based one Amsoil recommendations as well and just common sense since no one else is doing it....

Seems you would be out on a limb to do so.. its not worth the extra pennys of savings....
I'll just change once a year.

 

I getting ready for my Gen3 second oil change at 10k miles. The first time, getting the collection pan, or in my case, small bucket, under the pan to catch the oil was really awkward. What's the best technique or the technique you used?

I'm used to crawling underneath the front of the car. Once the underbody shield is dropped, I don't see any other way than going from behind the front wheel.

I also found the website on changing oil on a gen 3 Prius. What luck. It wasn't too many days later that I stopped by a Autozone and they had the exact set of Rhino 8000 ramps on sale for $30. It was one of those, this week only type things.

 

I just finished up my second change an hour ago. I have the ramps too. Run it up, drop the shield (you will have to pull it forward enough to clear the oil stream) and drain. I couldn't have imagined doing with without the ramps.
You can work around the shield from the front on the right hand side without too much trouble.

 

How many are using jack stands instead of ramps? And what about tire rotation if you are using ramps?

 

Just use a standard jack for the tire rotations and ramps for the oil changes. Or use jackstands for everything.
I use my ramps on my van and they have made that process so much easier!

 

delete

 

But what about catching the oil? I used a one gallon bailing bucket because it fit up between the shield and drain well, but as it got full, it got interesting. Maybe I need to find a 5 or 6 quart bucket or maybe a funnel with a long flexible neck.

I'm used to setting a big pan under the car, but that seems impossible without completely removing the underbody shield.

Replies can take their time because I took it to a dealer for the "free" 10k change. Took over three hours and two dealers. I'll save the dealer(s) rant for later. My 15K oil change will come up around October.

 

The engine takes about 4.5 quarts, when you drain it you should get 4.3 or so if it was up near the full mark. They have some nice covered oil change pans such as this one: http://www.amazon.com/Blitz-SA9020-15-Qt-Change-Container/dp/B000BMFYR6

You should be able to pick one up at Auto Zone, Wal Mart, etc.

 

we should reallymake this thread a sticky

 

I just completed my first oil change on my Gen III Prius. I used the required parts, Toyota Filter and Mobile 1 0-20 oil. I jacked the car high enough to rest it on 2 jack stands in the front. It wasn't difficult just different than all the other oil changes I have done over the past 40 years.
My mechanic had told me that he should do it because I would not be able to. I needed a special tool to release the pressure in the oil filter before removing it and yada yada yada. Toyota told me they needed to do it because of the special tools required.
I have trusted and used my mechanic for many years for things I cannot fix myself. I have never trusted the dealership. Now I have lost the trust I had with my mechanic because he was just discouraging me so he can get the business. I guess he was just giving me the business.