when is it time for an Oil Change + filter

Dealer recommends oil change every 10k miles, and tire rotation can wait until then but you're welcome to do it at 5k like normal. Uses (I believe) 0W-20 oil, not sure what the dealer uses, obviously full synthetic is best, but the engine will last longer regardless because half the time it isn't running!

 

Canada has a different OCI than the US. I first changed my at 1,200 just because I was dying to do it, than at 5K, 12.5K and I will do it next at 20K and probably stick with a 7.5K interval.
Using M1, 0W-20 as specified.

 

In Canada....it's 5K, at least the last time I looked.
I do not know....maybe it's the climate.

Down here in the USA, it's 10K.
All of those are in miles, BTW. I'll let you do the math.

Your call, but if it were me....I'd do what your maintenance schedule says to protect your warranty at least for the first 60K.
Sorry.....those are miles again too.


Good Luck!

 

Every 10K miles, which for most is once or twice a year as you were told. Always use synthetic 0W20 (I use Mobile 1 which you can get for about $28 for 5 qt. jug)

 

Canadian schedule is 6 months or 8000 km, whichever comes first. Best deal I've seen on 0W20 is at the dealership, Toyota's own brand.

The Canadian Owners Manual has all the info in there, but it's a bit of a jumble, covering every Toyota model. I've broken it down here:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...2010-prius-maintenance-schedule-canadian.html

There's a few typos still, the transaxle fluid change interval is a little different I think. FWIW, a lot of owners do transaxle fluid change much more frequently, anyway.

Other things need to be taken with a grain of salt. The cabin filter for instance. I just checked ours at 12 mo / 16000 km: it's pretty clean still, I just blew it out with compressed air with a little brushing and put it back in, for now. Likely will change at 2 year interval.

Addendum: The service intervals are not actually in the Owners Manual, they're in the smaller book (called Owners Supplement, or something like that?) that you should have received. Again, it's spelled out in there, but the only practical way to make sense of it is to go through it line-by-line, and transfer the various bits of info into a chart. It's really a poor presentation.

 

If you're curious, you could always get the an oil sample tested at the interval of your choice. I've used Blackstone Labs before.

 

yes on synthetic oil every 10K or 6mo, whatever comes first

 

Not that I know of, though there could be. I'm not much of a joiner, LOL.

They are extremely common, seems like somewhere around 1/3 of the cabs are Prius, maybe more.

 

Do them myself, 2 so far.

 

No video as far as I know, but this thread will tell you what you need to know: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii.../67747-oil-change-2010-prius-do-yourself.html

 

the MOM (or in this case COM) recommends changing oil at 5K, 10K and then every 10K if synthetics are used.

we have a Protege with 380K, no engine rebuild, which gone through life with 10K oil changes on M1. I'd bet Prius can up it.

 

What viscosity oil does your Protege use? I have no doubt the the Prius engine is capable of many long dependable miles with 10K changes but I am still a little uneasy about using 0W20. I am using M1 0W20 but I find myself tempted to switch to 0W30 or even 5W30.

From what I have been able to learn the only reason manufacturers are using 0W20 is to get good numbers on the EPA fuel mileage tests. EPA regulations state that only the oil viscosity used in the mileage test shall be recommended for use in the vehicle.

However there is a brief statement in the owners manual (page 560) which would seem to allow for higher viscosity oil.

"An oil with a higher viscosity may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions."

Unfortunately they don't give us clue what high speeds or extreme load conditions would be.

 

0W-30 will do no harm except a bit worse gas mileage. There is no benefit to a 5W-30 over a 0W-30 as long as you are using a good quality synthetic.

Based on lack of toasted Prius engines in the Southwest US, 0W-20 seems to be adequate, but if 0W-30 buys you some peace of mind, go for it.

What viscosity does Toyota recommend for Australia and Southern Europe?

 

Nice monkey.

I guess I'll just stick with Mobil 1 0W20, both UOAs I have show no problems. As you said no toasted engines yet so it's probably is OK.

I don't know what they use in Australia, 0W20 I think. We had one poster on here from Greece and he had trouble even finding 0W20 but I think he finally found an Amsoil distributor and was able to get it from him. Someone posted that in Germany they recommended 5W30, but that's unconfirmed.

Windstrings who still posts here occasionally was using Amsoil 0W30 and changing at 25K mile intervals. I think that is still working OK for him.

 

I read somewhere 0W20 spec'd engines might also be using closer tolerances, and the thinner oil works better with tight clearances.