Prius 2010 Oil Change Interval Revised? Not yet... (closed)

I'm not fighting the idea. I think it is wise to compare apples to apples. Even though I know one is a golden apple. I see Amsoil doesnt even use the same criteria for all their brands in comparison also. See info charts for the 0w30 AND 0W20.

I live in DFW area, so my criteria is probably the same as yours.

Also they dont list an Ea oil filter for the 2010 Prius. What number is it?

 

I don't think they show one.
I intend to use a good quality filter and call it good.

I believe there is a distributor in Arlington or thereabouts.

Just talk to a dealer and make an order when he's going anyway and you shouldn't have to deal with shipping.. just tax..... A Case if 12 quartsof SSO would cost you 110.00 to 124.00 depending on who you deal with. The standard will be even cheaper.

 

Apparently there is "old" (regular) oil, specially-cracked "old" oil, and two kinds of real synthetic. And, all oil "formulations" have additives.

In the USA, the "cracked" old oil can be labeled as fully synthetic, even though it is not the real synthetic. So, the label in the USA could be considered to be a bit misleading.

Apparently such "misleading" labeling is not permitted in the EU.

So, "fully synthetic" in the USA is apparently just NOT plain "old" motor oil. Also, there seems to be no labeling that says what it really is. The performance specs, usually achieved with additives, are also difficult to relate to the actual contents of the motor oil "can".

Could be banana and castor bean oil, and "undisclosed" other things, I suppose?

 

I expect your right Gary, but since I'm not an oil man I wouldn't know the difference if banana oil would be good verses cashew oil or virgin pistachio!...

I have to go with the ratings and claims made by the manufacturer that states how many miles you can go under normal or severe conditions combined with those who have gone on before us and tested the oils in question against long term mileage along with those "in the know" who do this for a living.

In other words, I have to trust anothers opinion since I really don't know any better based on my education and schooling, I'll trust anothers.

I have the same problem when I fly!


As we've learned, its not all about the oil but rather the quality and amounts of additives that does the magic too to prevent engine metals from contaminating the oil!

 

Yup, my dealer has also scheduled my next oil change at around 10000 not 15000 that I was hoping for!

 

Please forgive me if this has been asked before, but I didn't want to read all 45 pages of this thread to find out.

Walmart is selling Mobil 1 0W20 (and 0W30) for $6.27/quart. They are also selling Mobil 1 0W30 for $21.00 for a 5 quart container.

I know that Toyota recommends 0W20. Is there a problem in using 0W30 instead, since it is so much cheaper?

 

As far as the engine is concerned, in my opinion, it would be just fine. In fact I think 5W30 would be just fine unless the weather is very very cold.

I think the only reason Toyota is recommending a lower viscosity oil is to get a slightly higher MPG rating. They seem to do a lot of very small things that when added together account for a worth while increase. This gives them a higher number to advertise and helps with the CAFE.

As far as the warranty is concerned I believe the oil viscosity is a recommendation. There is also a paragraph in the specifications (refer to the last paragraph of page 560 in the owner's manual) that may be relevant. That paragraph permits the use of higher viscosity oils under certain unspecified "extreme load" and "high speed" conditions.

I am using 0W20 but I have thought about going to 0W30 at least for summer because it might be easier on the engine. But I have no evidence to support that. I may also just stick with 0W20 pending more information. It would be interesting to know what viscosities Toyota recommends for this car in Europe and Japan.

 

you're better off using the 0w30 :thumb:

it has ZERO impact on the warranty

and it won't matter, because you will not have an oil related failure from 0w30

 

You might lose a bit of MPG with the 0W30, but that should be the only detriment.

 

I had my dealer service guy tell me, they weren't thrilled at the idea of going higher viscosity on a brand new engine because its so tight still as the later model fuel efficient cars are built very tight... but I don't know.

I figured if you went with the SSO 0w-30W it may be better because friction maybe less than the standard due to the longevity being so long, but the longevity may be due to extra and better additives more than lubrication itself.... I'm not the oil guru.

I still haven''t completely decided if I'm going Amsoil 0W-20 rated to 25K or the 0W-30W SSO Amsoil rated to 35K.

 

by bit you'd have to mean imperceptible fraction

i think the 0W20 is a scam, and a detriment
1. it's recommended by everyone from ford to toyota to lower fleet mpg, that's the fraction i referred to above spread across millions of vehicles
2. it's going to shear down below 20 grade
3. it's barely available, and drives you to use the dealer for service, which is where the dealer truly makes money - they make money on service and warranty work, the new vehicle margins are TIGHT
4. i don't think they're really feeding you the synthetic 0W20 when you get to the dealer, they don't always have it, but they're charging you for it
- you see, it's still cheaper and easier to keep large stock in the 5W30 they've been recommending or the past ten years

... which was recommended to bring fleet numbers below the previously recommended 10W30 and 10W40

5. the European cars are using 5W40 almost across the board,
you really think you Tacoma, Prius and Ford Explorer have tighter tolerances than

BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari and Volkswagen/Audi


don't think so.

rant over, thank you :cheer2:

you are correct about not being an oil guru, but neither is the dealer service guy

respectfully, you are using the wrong analysis, it's NOT about OCI
the 0W30 is going to provide better protection from friction from day one, until the day you change the oil, than the 0W20 of any stripe or brand


with specific reference to the oil you are mentioning, the 0W30 will maintain its viscosity better and longer than the lighter weight oil, which is why it has a longer OCI

yes, the friction modifiers, detergents ... the additive package is superior

but, here's the but, 0W30 is a superior oil to 0W20
it's just better oil

and "dealer guy" really only knows maintenance schedules and hourly service rates on repairs ... that's his job

he's dealer service guy, not oil guy

either oil is going to keep your engine working like new for hundreds of thousands of miles if you take care of your car

BUT the 30 weight is superior, from day one, until the day you change it

 

Alan, if you haven't already done so read the article in this new thread.
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ssion/71125-motor-oil-article.html#post988572

 

Excellent Article.... thanks Tom....

 

I had my oil changed this past weekend (5K interval) and spoke with the service writer about the "rumors" that Toyota was considering an increased interval of 7.5k or 10k between 0W20 oil/filter change. He confirmed there has been discussion of same in service training sessions but indicated Toyota was up in the air about whether to provide the owner with instruction to recalibrate the odometer for the longer interval or require the interval be changed by the dealer. He told me the oil certainly can withstand 10k between changes but right now if we wanted to wait that long between changes, we'll just have to deal with the constant oil change reminder at each start up until the recalibration. He also advised to check the level @ 5K to be certain it still appeared relatively clean and at sufficient level.

 

Alright, the saga continues! Thanks for the information.

 

surprising, considering how much money dealerships make off of service calls, unless oil changes are a loss leader

as far as checking your oil to make sure it "appeared relatively clean" ... that's plain silly

the appearance or color of the oil is not an indicator

sludge ... ? sure

dirty vs. clean ... not at all

 

What is your advice on me changing my oil for my 05 Camry L2.4 to Amsoil SS 0W-30 from 5W-30, from 4K OCI to 10K OCI?

What filter would you suggest for 10K OCI with Amsoil SS 0W-30 for the 05 Camry?

I am planning on getting the Prius 3rd Gen and most likely start off with Amsoil SS 0W-30 and annual OCI

Thank you very much for technical information in this thread!

 

For those out there who may not know this; at Walmart you can buy a 5 quart jug of Mobil One 0X30 oi for about 22.00.

That is a big saving over paying $6.27 / qt. Also you can not get the 0X20 Mobil one in 5 qt jugs.

alfon

 

I wouldn't have the faintest...but you might want to check with philobeddoe. He sounds like he knows a thing or two aboput oil.