My car is a month old and I finally checked the oil today, after reading about it here. It's still pretty clear. However....it looks to have been overfilled. First I must say how cheezy the dipstick is. There is nothing on there to indicate anything except for two little bumps. I'll assume if the oil level is below the bottom one the car needs oil and if the oil level is above the top one there is too much. Well, there's too much. by about a 1/4". So...what do I do about it? I can't crawl under my car and remove the plug and empty some. Not even going to try after someone else's transmission fluid thing. And it doesn't seem serious enough to pay for a service call at the dealership to tell them....hey! you put too much in...take some out. So.....what do I do? I suppose I could keep dipping in the dipstick and wiping it off and repeating until I have wiped out the extra oil. Gee...how many hours would that take? Any solutions? From what I've read here I think I might be taking a hit on mileage due to the overfill.
According to our resident Prius Master Techs, the cars come shipped this way. Though it is best that the car not be overfilled, if this is how the car was delivered, don't be too concerned. If the dealer overfills at your next oil change, complain and have them fix it.
Thanks. Thanks, Dan. I've been reading the other threads and know I'm not alone but I'm still miffed about it. I'm not due for an oil change until October. But...I will be bringing only 3 quarts of Mobile 1 with me and I will be checking the dipstick before I leave the dealer. Especially after my other visits to the service department. If they mess this up, I'm finding another service department. In the mean time I don't know if it's effecting my mileage or not. And I certainly don't want to stall on the freeway on the way to L.A. with my Dad in the car.
Lady G., I wouldn't worry about it. My dad and I have owned 3 2G Prii from new, and all came the same way. The mileage did not change for better or worse upon changing the oil. I recently did the first (5,000 mi.) oil and filter change on my silver #6, switching from dino to Mobil 1, and the MPG seems unaffected so far. 3 quarts should put you exactly halfway between the dots. Adding another 1/2 qt. should put you right on the top (full) dot. rob
I just changed my oil to Amsoil 0-30 extended change. So I technically don't have to change my oil for 35,000 miles. (but you do have to change the filter three times) With a filter change the car took 3 1/5 Quarts and registers (on a flat surface, however with a warm engine) exactly at the top hole on the dipstick, I think. Why do I say I think because this stuff is so slick and has such a low viscosity rating it doesn't evenly coat the dipstick. I'm sure the oil works great under load but it makes reading the stick a pain in the butt. Alright a stupid complaint, especially when I am seeing an almost immediate 3 MPG improvement, this may also be the break in improvement that some people write about that is supposed to occur around 10,000 miles. (as I now have 9800 miles on the car) So I went from 44 to 47 MPG and there is indication that it may go up to 49 or 50 MPG as I am getting even higher readings after my last fill up.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Devil's Advocate\";p=\"90948)</div> This sounds very interesting. Which oil filters are you using? I would LOVE to see a used oil analysis sometime during this cycle. With the Mobil 1 synth 5W30 after about 13k miles (with midpoint filter change), the oil was running out of acid neutralizing capacity. In all other respects it tested as adequate to continue. Mine is 2001 Prius and the oil analysis was previously posted.
Here is a link to the stuff I'm using. I also got one of their filters due to the unique fibers and anti-flow back protection. Which really shouldn't be a problem in the Prius given the mounting attitude of the filer. http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/tso.aspx
That Amsoil TSO 0W-30 is *very* good oil! It's almost impossible to find here unless you have it shipped in. Next time down to the Twin Cities I should drive through Superior, WI, and just pick some up right at the factory. I'm surprised they offer a Prius oil filter so quickly. Have you also thought of a bypass filter too?? The TSO is good for operation just about anywhere. If for some insane reason you decide to visit in January at -40, at least your Prius will start.
