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Special, Toyota recommended, oil additive???

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by lchamp, Jul 31, 2007.

  1. lchamp

    lchamp Veteran Member

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    Had my 10,000 mile check at the dealership. He told me that Toyota recommended an oil additive at an additional 5 or 10 bucks charge.

    Anyone know about this?

    Cheers,

    Larry
     
  2. narf

    narf Active Member

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    Oil and fuel additives are another way for the dealer to make money. theres a good profit margin on them and virtually no labor costs. Oil additves are totally unneeded as long as you are using decent oil, and most decent fuels have enough cleaning additives that you don't need fuel tank additives either. Plus there is always the risk that the oil additive will react with an additive the oil manufacturer uses. Save your money.
     
  3. lchamp

    lchamp Veteran Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(narf @ Jul 31 2007, 12:00 PM) [snapback]488076[/snapback]</div>
    That was my first thought, but I wanted to check. When the dealer said it was a "Toyota recommended additive", I wanted to check around before I call him a liar.

    Cheers,

    Larry
     
  4. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    My dealer tried that too. If you go for that they'll have you doing engine flushes in no time :)

    As mentioned before, there's no need for the additives in the Prius, and in fact they can decrease your mileage.

    The Additive my dealer wanted to put in was one quart of additive per oil change. I did a little looking and the Additive is flat 30-weight. The Prius doesn't take much oil to begin with, and replacing over 1/4 of it's oil with 30-weight seems a sure recipie for worse mileage.
     
  5. Swanny1172

    Swanny1172 New Member

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    Ask the dealer to see the Toyota recommendation in writing. That should put an abrupt end to the BS.
     
  6. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    The additive is a dealer recommendation cause he makes a lot on it. It is NOT a Toyota recommendation or it would be in the owner's manual.
     
  7. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Jul 31 2007, 09:16 AM) [snapback]488098[/snapback]</div>
    +1. Absent a written recommendation from Toyota, it is all just a bunch of noise (or BS as others have posted).
     
  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lchamp @ Jul 31 2007, 11:47 AM) [snapback]488057[/snapback]</div>
    As already mentioned, pure crap. I wouldn't believe another word these people say. Call whoever runs the dealership and tell him what happened and that you won't be coming back due to the dishonesty of the service dept.
     
  9. apriusfan

    apriusfan New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Aug 4 2007, 07:58 PM) [snapback]490739[/snapback]</div>
    I guess it is kind of ironic that a service department would try and push an oil additive (and risk losing a customer) when the service department is the most profitable business unit of the dealership.
     
  10. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(narf @ Jul 31 2007, 12:00 PM) [snapback]488076[/snapback]</div>
    Further, if you really really want to add to fuel or oil, there are lots of aftermarket dealers that'll get you the same thing, for less than a third, usually. Take the cabin air filter, as a perfect example.
     
  11. Swanny1172

    Swanny1172 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ Aug 5 2007, 02:33 AM) [snapback]490786[/snapback]</div>
    Part of the reason that the service department is the most profitable business unit in most dealerships is because they know most of the people that take their cars in for service will take their word as the gospel. I know plenty of intelligent people who won't take their cars anywhere for service but the dealership and willfully pay for whatever service is recommended by the service advisor.
     
  12. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    Sounds like a scam to me. The vast majority of additives out there are snake oil and can actually *cause* deposits. I bet Toyota is genuinely puzzled why some folks don't trust their service departments
     
  13. mikepaul

    mikepaul Senior Member

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  14. Winston

    Winston Member

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    Don't even bother to ask for the recommendation in writing. As Nancy Reagan would say; "Just say No!"
     
  15. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    So, what's in "X1R"?
    .
    _H*
     
  16. Duffer

    Duffer Member

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    Perhaps there is a conspiracy among the oil companies? The engine oil that is being produced is not as slickery as it could be, to decrease MPG? The oil companies would win on both ends and the consumer would be robbed again.
    Wow! I am starting to believe my own conspiracy theory!


    Oil additives are crap.
     
  17. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    I hear it's the same stuff the Doctor uses on his Glove Finger when he asks you to bend over.
     
  18. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ Aug 8 2007, 12:02 PM) [snapback]492465[/snapback]</div>
    HAHAHAHA!

    Although my family doctor is *very* gentle when he does that to me, especially when he asks me to cough