Oil type recommendation.

my 2 cents...i change oil every 3-5k miles, i use factory oil filters and top quality 5w-30 oil that meets the the latest specs like castrol gtx. i think synthetic is overkill and a waste of $ if you change the oil at that interval. i'm a certified motorcycle tech and have done the same with mc's for years with no problems...i think synthetics are great if you want to leave the oil in for 10k miles + but what about the filter, i dont trust any filters to last that long

 

I use Mobil 1 (sorry, John ) 5W-30 and Toyota filters, every 5K.

3 and 1/2 quarts will do it. If you have a shop change it, tell them to put in no more than that. Stories of overfilling abound.

If you're inclined to change your own, it's easy. Doable even without lifting the car, though lifting gives easier access to the filter.

 

5W-30 is the baseline but 0W-30 would be the only thing better, but that is expensive and harder to get, and only comes as a synthetic. Some have used 0W-20 for cold weather, but they know what they are doing and why. Synthetic would be a good choice if you have a chance of going longer than the 5000 mile interval (intentionally or unintentionally). The Toyota Oil filter is very good, so use that unless you know of a better one....and few are.

 

I changed my oil at 1000 miles with original factory filter ($7.) and 3.5 of Mobil One 10-30. In Florida and always very hot.The car really likes the Mobil One. Will probably change the oil every 5K from now on.Its beastly hot here all the time and could be a test bed for oil torture in a motor.I usually keep my cars for 5-7 years and think Mobil One is a good investment. Dino oil is old school.

 

Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30.

 

Heres my thought on this...

We are paying 20-30K for these cars, is it not worth the extra $15 every 5000 miles to use top of the line quality oils such as Mobil 1 Synthetic?

As with many things, it's a personal decision, but for me, at 5000 miles I'll be using Mobil 1 Synthetic 5W-30 for just that little extra protection of my investment here.

 

Same here.

Keep receipts, so that you can prove you did the oil changes.

Harry

 

I just did the first oil change on my Prius. I used Quaker State 5W30 and FRAM Oil filter. The current odo reading is at 2596 miles. My next oil and oil filter change will come by after 2500 miles. One thing I like about this car...it is one of the easiest cars to change oil.

 

There has been lots of discussion on the Fram filters here.(search)

Consenus is, Do Not use Fram.

Purchase the OEM Toyota filter...they are about $5.00

 

Spend a little more for quality. It worked when you purchased a Toyota over a Datsun or Chrysler, so it will work when you buy oil and filters to service the Toyota.

 

Why?

The owner's manual calls for 5,000 mile oil change intervals.

Harry

 

My exact thoughts. Thank you!

 

just did my 1st oil change at 3500 miles, simple to do, no jacking required, i used an orig. toyota filter and 5w-30 castrol gtx..once again i dont see any benefits of synthetic when changing oil every 3-4k miles on an ice, thats used a fraction of running time. for those thinking of doing it urself, its a no brainer that took a total of about 30 minutes of which 10 mins was a short warm up drive. 3.5 qts as stated by many on pc filled it perfectly about 1/4" from top dot on dipstick. any questions fire away, be glad to assist if i can.

 

just curious, what filter do you use and do you think its ok for 5000 miles? i have no problem running synthetic for 5000 + miles, but not sure if the filters are capable of higher milage, unless there is a special type for use with synthetic that enables longer intervals between changes..

 

I use the Toyota dealer oil filter, and currently Mobil 1 0W-20. I have "pushed" this oil to 16,000 km, and the used oil analysis came back fine

Consider that the Prius sold in the EU has a normal 12 month / 10,000 mile oil service interval. This is running ACEA spec oils, not the garbage API oils sold here that still allow cold stuck rings, cold gellation, cold sludge, etc

There are cars sold in the EU with a normal 12 month or 30,000 mile oil service interval. Some of these cars are still kept around as prototypes and have not had an oil change in 5 years, with motors still in good shape

Motor oil isn't magic, it's chemical engineering. The whole point of careful chemical engineering is to manage the contaminants in the motor, to ensure long motor and oil life

 

It seems to me that I've heard of someone on PC(efusco or krousdb?) that has went 15K+ miles and the used oil analysis showed that the oil(Mobil1) was still good for more life.

 

Well, as I stated above, I went 16,000 km or 10,000 mi on Mobil 1 0W-20 and dealer oil filter. The used oil analysis was fine, it was good for more.

 

Oil change once a year or 35,000 miles whichever comes first, with a filter change at six months or 17,500 miles.

I use Amsoil, i belive it is now called 0W-30 signature series, oil which is good for 35,000 miles. I am on my third oil change and have over 130,000 miles on my 2005 package 9!

Haven't had any testing done yet on the oil, will probably do at the next change, in January 2009!