Oil Filter

I too am a fan of synthetics and have used them for the past 20 years. Both of the engines I have used synthetics have easily gone over 200,000 miles with no problems (gas mileage the same, no oil burn, etc.). My typical oil/filter change interval is 5,000 miles. Maybe regular dino oil could have done the same but many a thread on the internet has addressed this subject...

I don't have an answer on your filter question, but what I did want to address was when I purchased my '97 F-150 new I asked the salesman what was their position on synthetics. He was quick to answer he learned in their seminars that synthetics were fine BUT they were specifically told to relay to the customer NOT to use synthetics for the first 15,000 miles. The logic being that synthetics were too "slippery" to allow for a normal break-in.

I followed that advice and it "seemed" to work fine. I say "seemed" because I of course do not have a control test engine or nor have I broke down the engine to measure actual wear. But notwithstanding, I still have the truck and it is worth much more to me than the blue book because I consider the condition to be outstanding especially in the mechanical department.

 

When I bought a new motorcycle (the only new vehicle I have owned before my yet to be delieverd Prius) they told me the same thing. Don't use synt. oil until after the break in. I followd their advice. I can say that the engine do runs audible better with synt. oil!

 

Yeah I have the feeling that using dino oil for break in us mostly hearsay. My bike for reference is a 2001 BMW R1200C and it runs much smoother on synth. oil. I did wait until 12k miles to switch

 

I'm sure you meant a 5W-30, right?

Starting this winter, I began using Mobil 1 0W-20 as a "winter" oil, anticipating the bitter cold -40 mornings of the previous two winters. Instead, we've had temps far above "normal."

However, I have noticed a slight fuel economy improvement during the first 3-5 minutes of operation.

Due to other concerns, I did a used oil analysis at half the recommended oil change interval (4,000km instead of 8,000km). The results were very good indeed, extremely low wear metals. The high sodium levels were actually caused by the garbage bulk 5W-30 Mystery Oil the dealer uses.

Once I have 8,400km or so on the oil, I'll change it back to Mobil 1 0W-30 and send off another sample for testing.

My results so far indicate this motor is *very* easy on oil - at least Mobil 1 oil - and the recommended oil change interval is far too short.

As far as oil filters, there was a fellow at the Corolla forum who - having nothing better to do - took apart many different brands of oil filters. The Toyota branded filters appear to be of very high quality.

The Purolator filters also appear to be of high quality. Avoid the Fram filters in the orange cans, they're junk.

 

Sorry, I don't have a Purolator #. Ask the Toyota parts manager if the 2004-2006 Prius oil filters are the same. If they are, you should be able to reference to a Purolator # by using the 2004 Prius. Most parts books are 1-2 years behind.

As far as Castrol synthetic, you mean the Syntec stuff, right? I hope you're aware that most Syntec products are "blends" and not "real" synthetic. The exception is Castrol Syntec 0W-30, which has a slightly green color and smells like Gummi Bears.

If you look at the back of a bottle of Castrol Syntec 0W-30, it claims to meet stringent European ACEA specifications, and also claims "Made In Germany."

If you do a search about "oil sample" or "Mobil 1" and my forum name, you should find the used oil sample I did on Mobil 1 0W-30. The wear metals with 5,000mi oil changes are insignificant, the oil is clearly good for much longer intervals.

I thought I had a problem with high Na levels. It turns out, after a lot of legwork and wasted time on my part, the bulk dealer 5W-30 Mystery Oil had extremely high Na levels. My dealer uses garbage oil.

 

Uh-oh! I've never heard that advice about break-in with conventional oil before switching to synthetic! I switched my Prius' oil right away, after about 200 miles.

Now what...?

 

The conventional wisdom is that synthetic oil is too slick to break in an engine. During the break in you need a little friction to polish off the high points on the bearings and cylinder walls and get a good piston ring seal. With all the micropolishing that is done these days on engines, I don't know if it's as true as it used to be but there was a time when it was true. A badly broken in engine will tend to start to burn oil at an early age.

 

I do know that new aircraft engines, reciprocating ones at least, come full of mineral oil for break-in. Sounds like a similar situation.

I'm going to check the manual re: break-in and see what it says. Off the top of my head, I think it said no real break-in special care was required, but if possible to do a couple of things (like avoid hard stops etc.).

Ok, says 'elaborate break-in' is not needed. But, under 'Facts about engine oil consumption' it says that oil consumption will be higher in a new engine since its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls have not become conditioned.


So, what do I do, do you think? Wait until I notice excessive consumption, and then swith back to dino oil for awhile? Or switch right now, regardless (I'm at 850 miles or so). Jeez, just when you think you are doing the right thing!

 

that seems rather wasteful, changing the oil and filter at 200 miles. The last time I changed the oil and filter "early" was on an old-fashioned vehicle, a new 1984 Ford F-150 with 302 V8.

My next new vehicle, a 1990 4Runner V6, I ran the full recommended interval. It had almost 400,000 km on it when I sold it in 2000, and it ran fine. I've never used an early initial interval since.

I also think it's very wasteful of Toyota to specify a 6 month/5,000 mile oil change for Prius in North America. My used oil analysis proves at that interval the oil - at least Mobil 1 - is good for at least twice.

 

I guess I'm just curious why you did such an early oil change. Mobil doesn't recommend that.

 

If you read the info on Mobile 1, they claimed that many brands of new cars come with their syn oil. So I don't think there's a problem.

Check out this link: http://www.mobil1.com/USA-English/MotorOil...tics/Myths.aspx

 

I did it that early for two reasons:

1) If it is better for preventing engine wear, then 'the earlier the better' is logical (before I knew about the break-in issue)

2) Synthetic is widely reputed to provide an increase in MPG (again, the earlier the better)

I didn't throw out the old engine oil, it went into my 1974 Dodge Power Wagon (trust me, I don't need a lecture about re-using engine oil, the Dodge is fine).

Thanks a bunch, ScottY! My wife was really going to be looking at me askance if I changed the oil again already!

 

No problem. A lot of new cars come with synthetic oil in them anyway. Your engine will do just fine.

 

Ahh, thank you, thank you. Like salve to my soul...

The first oil change wasn't a real great time anyway, since my oil filter wrench wouldn't fit that little toy oil filter. I had to use a screwdriver to pierce it, then turn it for removal. Now I have a cute little oil filter wrench in the toolbox for next time.

 

If you can't exchange it, you could probably use it in your Prius. My 2004 Prius states that 10W-30 is allowed, but 5W-30 is preferred.

Although I wouldn't recommend a 10W-30 for Winnipeg winter driving, you should be fine in West Palm Beach.