Oil change interval question

For warranty reason, I would suggest change oil EVERY 10K miles at least until you are out of the 36K.

Edit: Since Toyota offers a power train warranty for 60mo/60k miles, the oil change schedule should be followed until at least 5 years or 60K miles instead of 3yrs/36kmiles for the basic warranty period.

 

Why is that? I have 64% of EV driving. So at 100.000 my ICE would only have 36.000 on him self.

SM-G973F ?

 

Because the oil change every 10k miles or 1 year whichever comes first is specified in the manual. And routine maintenance as specified by the manual is required in order to get warranty service if something goes wrong during the warranty period. Plus in the US, the first two oil change at 10K and 20K are free at any Toyota dealer.

 

While you're correct, you don't want to give Toyota (or any other manufacturer) a reason to weasel their way out of warranty repair.

Once the warranty is up, you can do whatever.

 

Since you have Toyota Care at least bring it in for the tire rotation, cable and filter etc. they’ll change the oil.

 

THIS.

Once my Toyota 5/60 warranty is gone, I will personally go to at least a 1 1/2 year interval, maybe up to 2 years. Then because that used oil will still be SO GOOD*, I'll most likely put it in my lawnmower.


Rob43


* Blackstone OA

 

I thought of the same thing, then just realized that the gas engine is covered by 60mo/60kmile power train warranty from Toyota. If you want to make sure to keep the warranty in effect for the full duration, you might want to wait until 6/60 to start changing the oil change interval.

 

If that's the case, I'll consider it...

BUT, maybe I just buy all of my bulk filters & oil up front because it can sit unused on a shelf for years & years....

As long as I have my receipts, I'm good to go.


Rob

 

Yeah, if you DIY oil change, it's going to be your word against TOYOTA if that's what it comes down to it.
Here is the excerpt from the Warranty booklet on the power train coverage.

Edit: Oh darn it. I made mistake again, it is not 6/60, but rather 5/60. 60 months = 5 years or 60K miles whichever comes first. I edited my previous comments.

 

My dealership changed my oil at 10,000 and 20,000. For me for free as part of the warranty or something.

 

If you're DIY'ing, buying your oil, filters and drain bolt washers through dealership maybe helps. Be on their "radar" too, your car's vin registered with them, and your phone number. Make sure the parts guy notes your phone number with each purchase. Here they always do.

Off-topic, but last time I bough bulk Toyota 0W20, it was $25.20 (CDN) for nine liters. That's maybe $19 US, for nine liters. Which are bigger than your puny American quarts.

 

"Some" Prius folks are the most obsessed "anti-maintenance" I have ever met in my life...and I've been turning wrenches most of that very long life.

 

There's a detrimental dynamic going on I think, between owners and dealership service departments. Owner's are shying away, and the dealership are getting increasingly aggressive with those that remain, pulling all sorts of tricks.

The dealerships will advertise dirt-cheap oil changes, hoping to get customers in and upsell them. Customers come to expect those prices, demand the same prices from independent garages, they go out of business, and you're left with just dealerships and quicky-lubes.

With the brake inspections, seems like both the customers and the dealerships are empowering a culture of brake neglect. The customers, because a thorough brake job takes some time and care, can cost anywhere between $200~400*. The dealerships maybe because there's not enough profit margin?

* We drop anywhere between $300 and $500 at the dentist every 6 months, sometimes a LOT more. Maybe think of brake work similarly, except it's only every 30K or 3 years?

 

Now, I just realized something strange. OP stated the following...

I thought driving 10K miles in only 3 months is impressive. That's 40K miles/year. But of that 10K miles, OP is claiming only 250 miles was on the gas engine. That would mean 9,750 miles are on EV. That's 97.5% EV Driving Ratio. Also, it means the OP was driving an average of 108 miles/day pure EV for 90 straight days.

Is that possible with PRIME having only ~25 miles EV range and not having a fast DC charge option?

 

Don't forget they are in Miami and can get more than 25 EV miles.

They might have access to a fast charging station. Not sure what the OP does?

But sounds like a lot of miles however they pile on.

 

Yep...a 30 minute oil/filter change for $60-$75 and your good for 5,000-10,000 miles. Same time and money...dinner for two at a restaurant and you're good for what...8 hours? Of course you could do both cheaper yourself, but the oil service still lasts longer.

 

For me, it all comes down to this:

1) Blackstone OA

2) Keep my receipts for bulk oil filter & oil purchases



Rob43

 

I just got a coupon from my dealer for a synthetic oil change with filter, tire rotation, and inspection for $29. That's cheaper than I can do it myself, but I'd still rather do it myself. And it gets done and I keep the receipts.

I guess the frugality that attracts us to the Prius also tempts us to cheap out when it comes to maintaining them. I tend to not keep cars more than about 5 years, but I like this Prime so much that it'll take something really special to get me to part with it. I just hope it doesn't end up being a big check from the insurance company.

 

That's a perfect example, has to be a a come on. Just picture doing your own tire rotation for starters, with a floor jack and safety stands: that alone is a 1~2 hour chore start to finish, and can mess up your back if you're not careful.