Oil change

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LongRun @ Dec 14 2006, 02:08 PM) [snapback]362306[/snapback]</div>

The toilet is supposed to be equipped with a SEAT BELT?? Now I'm really worried.

Holy crap!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LongRun @ Dec 14 2006, 02:08 PM) [snapback]362306[/snapback]</div>

now that is funny!

 

Here's a related question for all you DIY oil changers. I think I could get the hang of doing an oil change myself, but won't I still have to take in the car for tire rotation? I can't picture doing that myself. It might be worth the extra money to let them do the oil change while its in (assuming they do it correctly...)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tyrin @ Mar 24 2007, 11:44 PM) [snapback]411721[/snapback]</div>

Tire rotations are just about as easy as changing your own oil. Just how lazy are you? :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Mar 25 2007, 06:24 AM) [snapback]411833[/snapback]</div>

I could do an oil change with a jack or ramps, or possibly even crawl underneath. Tire rotation you'd have to jack up at least two tires at a time. I've never seen it done, so I'm not picturing it...

 

It is always wonderful to hear about new owners caring so much for their Prius. DON 't overpay for oil changes. Prius are just like any engines, they love clean frequent changes. Dealers are no deal. Correct tire pressure and rotation is important too. With frequent changes I don't even know if synthetic oil is such a big deal either. Even some oil manufacture's don't recommend synthetic.

For the doo-it -yourselfer...

http://john1701a.com/prius/documents/Prius...hanging-Oil.pdf

Big things to watch is the viscosity for your climate. Since the warmer months are ahead, 5W30 is best and make sure NOT to overfill as previously posted.

 

I just purchased a Prius last week. My wife drives a RAV4. I have been changing the oil on her car myself when the "Maint Req" light comes on, which has been around 5k and 10k. I plan on changing the oil in my Prius following the same system. I'm sure you are all riveted by these fascinating facts.

My question is when, if ever, should I switch to synthetic oil? I was told to use regular oil for the first few changes to let the engine break itself in and allow the seals to seat properly. Using synthetic oil apparently interferes with this process, not good for the short term, great for the long term.

Any comments?

By the way, for those of you that think 5k is too often. My brother-in-law and I have been trading a 1988 BMW 325is back and forth. We are meticulous with oil changes and especially transmission fluid changes. I am proud to say that the car has the original transmission and engine and we are very close to 300,000 miles. However, oil changes do nothing for the paint job and upolstery.

 

Modern engines are basically broken in at that factory with regards to valve seating. I'd change to synthetic at the next oil change period.

 

Hi dentedwheel, welcome to PriusChat! Drive about 10K miles on dino oil before switching to synthetic. That gives anything that hasn't seated a chance to, and it's relatively cheap. Look at your oil at 10K, or better yet, have it analyzed (search used oil analysis for lots of threads) and then decide if you want to pay the extra freight for synthetic. Since the Prius ICE is spun up to 1K rpm before applying fuel and spark, and doesn't run all the time, and runs at basically two optimum speeds, its oil isn't abused as mch as in a conventional car. A 5K mile change on a Prius is probably about a 3K mile change on a conventional car in terms of ICE run time under load. You've got to do the 5K mile changes to keep the warranty good in the US, but in other regions of the world the the interval is much longer.

 

Let's see if I've have the safety message. You drive your Prius up on the ramps rated for the weight of a real car or pickup. Slide two 30 ton jack stands under the car. Now for a safety backup up you put two more 30 ton jack stands under the car set just a little lower than the first two jack stands. Then I hook a nylon strap under the front of the car, through a come-a-long to the rafters in the garage. Then I get two hydraulic jacks and run them under the car and pump them up until they just start to lift the Prius and have one person standing at the ready on each hydraulic jack. All this is done, of course on a slab that has been tested, measured for thickness and approved by a registered civil engineer. Then I call for an ambulance with two paramedics and complete life support systems and have the life flight helicopter standing by, and also have the hospital emergency room on standby with both land line, cell phone and radio communications in place, tested and ready to go. Also I should have my health history, lab work, type and cross-match, blood ready that I've previously had drawn in preparation for this event , trauma team and family doctor on standby and ready to go, wife and kids notified, and a signed DNR and will ready if needed. Oh and don't forget the jumper, gloves drop cloth, disposal container, gloves, safety glasses, eye wash station ready, breathing mask and safety helmet. Now we need to hand everyone a copy of the written procedure and check list, with one person calling out the instructions and another one answering like a cockpit check list as the steps are completed, of course with a rely of all steps completed to the whole team. This will be easy for them to follow because they have all been through the practice runs and classroom review and have each signed off on their copies of the procedure documents. Now we can safely proceed. Let's get started.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Mar 28 2007, 01:45 AM) [snapback]413393[/snapback]</div>

Not sure where you got this information but again, you can change to synthetic oil right away. Many new vehicles come from the factory with synthetic oil. Modern engines are not like engines from 20 years ago.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Apr 3 2007, 07:29 PM) [snapback]417382[/snapback]</div>

I didn't say the Prius ICE was like one of 20 years ago. I based my recommendation on the experience of other Prius drivers and used oil analysis. This is NOT the first thread on oil changes. You may change your oil when you wish, every 1000 miles with GC synthetic (available on eBay for $11.95/quart), if you like.