What is the recommended break-in driving for the Gen 4?

Engines have this fabulous new technology that reduces suspended particulates in oil that may be present in newly manufactured engines.
They call them.........oil filters.

Me?
I never liked 10,000 mile OCIs to begin with so these days I lean towards a 5,000 mile oil change interval - so I would probably do my first oil change at 5,000 miles more or less and then follow a 5,000 mile OCI.
Actual Mileage May Vary....

The trans-axle....on the other hand, is NOT equipped with this new-found filtering technology, so it would not be imprudent to swap out this fluid somewhere in the front nine.
However (comma!!!) as easy as it is to perform this procedure, pricing can be an issue since the trans-axle fluid is a "lifetime" fluid - meaning, literally, that it will last for the period that Toyota wants their CARS to last...which may not be how long YOU want your car to last.
Also consider the fact that no combustion is occurring in this part of the Prius, and the operating temps in this part of the car are usually relatively low....and let's face it....they didn't even bother to put a friggin TEMP gauge anywhere IN this car....
Lastly.....it is a relatively easy maintenance item - but if it is done improperly it may lead to a repair bill with a comma in the price.


So.....
If I were a Prius owner instead of merely a Prius DRIVER I would perform a trans-axle fluid swap before the base warranty expired, and thereafter follow something like a 50,000 mile change interval.

AGAIN...

YMMV.

 

Just from my observations of the trasaxle drained fluid color, I would say an early first drain is most important. I did first drain around one year mark and 15K kms, and it was by far the darkest. A couple of successive drains, at significantly longer intervals, were cleaner, and after the last one I pretty much resolved yeah now it is lifetime. I am only at 87k kms now, lol.

 

8700 clicks per year?

LET me know when you want to SELL it.....

 

Our kms are piling on slower and slower, especially with COVID. First few years wife was using the car for work; now we're both retired. Think one of those drum solos that keeps going slower...

 

When you say "transaxle" You mean the gearbox?

 

No, it's a transaxle. Nothing at all like a "gearbox." There are no shifts possible. It's an electronically controlled continuously variable system.

 

Yeah transaxle is Toyota's term. The bit between engine and drive shafts.

 

There is no gearbox.

Worth watching this - gives you a good idea how it works - which always helps with how best to drive any machine.

 

My statement is regarding Gen3 not Gen4. But I would still highly suggest oil changes at 5K miles.

 

Beyond the piston rings seating properly, another reason to avoid high rpm is the valvetrain break-in. These small, delicate parts are in the top of the engine, which receives less lubrication. High rpm on a new engine could cause abnormal valvetrain wear.