Doh! So before taking my 2004 Prius in for an oil change at the dealer, I bought a jug (4.4L) of synthetic oil and took out 700 mL - assuming that would leave the required 3.7 L for the tech to use. I know they used my jug cause they didn't charge me for oil but afterwards my oil level is just a smidge over the full mark on the dipstick. I was hoping for about a quarter inch below. Either I didn't take out enough from the jug or the technician topped up with his own stuff. To remedy the situation, I've acquired a 60 mL syringe and some 1/4" wide black, rubber tubing with a 1/16" diameter hole and hope that that will allow me to draw some oil out through the dipstick pipe. Any suggestions? Thanks
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fibb222 @ May 3 2007, 06:44 PM) [snapback]435068[/snapback]</div> At a "smidge" over the full mark, I'd leave it alone. I don't think you get into overfill problems until you are around 1/4" or more over. Several of us just take 3 quarts to the dealer and tell them to only put that in. It leaves it 1/2 way between the add and full marks. You can top it off if desired when you get home. Sure makes oil changes cheap even with expensive synthetic oil when using only 3 to 3.5 quarts. My Audi was a 7 quart car that ate another quart between changes. - Tom
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fibb222 @ May 3 2007, 03:44 PM) [snapback]435068[/snapback]</div> It'll probably work. Another option is to get an oil sampling kit (with pump). You can then use it to send in a used sample (or even new, if you're suspicious about the oil actually being used) for analysis. That removes about 200 ml quite easily. Dave M.
I took my car to the dealer for an oil change recently (I know, I know... but I'll probably start doing it myself after warranty... they also did tire rotation and that's harder to do without a lift). I am using Mobil 1 5w30 and asked them to put in 3.5qt and give me the remaining .5 qt. The service guy said "no problem, actually we get that request a lot from Prius drivers." We both laughed. They did it right. I think it's less likely that they'll do it like you want if you use dino oil because it will usually come out of a barrel instead of quart jugs.
I just hope my tubing doesn't get stuck in the dipstick pipe. That would be a disaster wouldn't it. I should have taken 900 mL out instead of 700 mL and then topped up (if necessary) at home.
So don't the dealers's service departments know how much they are supposed to put in? Mine better or else they'll hear about it. If I want a crappy oil change I can go to Jiffy and they can forget to put the filter back on - or forget to put the oil in like they've done to others around here.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fibb222 @ May 4 2007, 01:27 PM) [snapback]435510[/snapback]</div> You can buy a pump made for removing oil via the dipstick tube at most auto parts places and online. I got mine from Amazon.com. The tube is thin enough and tough enough that there are no worries about getting stuck. The one I got was a small brass hand pump that Amazon lists as not available right now. Lots of other choices though. - Tom
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tom_06 @ May 4 2007, 11:49 AM) [snapback]435589[/snapback]</div> So I used my black rubber tubing and syringe and it was pretty successful - I managed to get the oil level just a wee bit below the full mark with a warm engine. But I was surprised by a few things: 1) the oil was 1/4" above the full mark when the engine was stone cold since it was all in the bottom so the problem was even worse than I thought. 2) the oil I sucked out was either dirty or the tubing was dissolving into the oil. I hope it was the former and I was getting the sludge from the bottom of the pan. 3.) It was really hard to suck with my 60 cc syringe. It was also hard to push it out at first. On the fourth and fifth syringe-full it got really easy to push out. I have no idea why, unless the tubing was dissolving and the inner hole was getting bigger! I hope not!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fibb222 @ May 5 2007, 09:32 PM) [snapback]436260[/snapback]</div> If in doubt, use clear PVC tubing (Tygon I believe) you can get from a hardware store in a variety of diameters. If you've been doing your oil changes regularly, you shouldn't have any significant sludge. But that depends on weather conditions, etc. In a short amount of time, I wouldn't expect normal rubber compound to dissolve significantly either though. Dave M.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ May 7 2007, 03:29 PM) [snapback]437019[/snapback]</div> I've had to pump oil out of two Prii so far - Barb's & a friend's (I have always done the 3 quart thing given advice from this forum). In bot cases it was within a day or two of the oil change. The oil on the dipstick was almost invisible, but the pumped out oil looked fairly dark. I expect it is partly from the oil oil not drained from the engine and partly from looking through the several inches of oil in a quart jar. Absolutely new oil has a fairly dark color in the same size container and this was a bit dirtier than that. It is way cleaner than oil that has 3 to 10 thousand miles on it. - Tom
