I've read many of the oil change threads and have come to expect that the Prius will turn on a "Service Required" type of notification 500 miles before the next oil change. It flashes and goes away during the 500 miles, then stays on. This is all supposed to remind you that it has been 5000 miles since your last oil change (when a reset should be done by the mechanic or you). So imagine my surprise when my two-month old Prius reached the big 3000 and the light went on! It is a 2004BC9 built in August 2004. Did something change? I come from a "change every 3000" family and this "evidence" will not help. I'm tempted to reset the light myself and remember to get it done at 5000. Any other suggestions?
Many of us recommend the first oil change before 5,000 miles. Apparently, Toyota is doing that now too.
John, You've made my oil-changing family very happy. Your word is gospel around here, and we can (probably) believe the light on the Prius. So I figure I have some time to choose when and where to get the oil change done (remember, I bought it 350 miles away). So I think I should still wait until 5000 to get the tires rotated, right?
Whatever you decide, remember that the blinking will begin again 4,500 miles after you reset it. The timing is not (based on the ECU programming I have, anyway) in relation to actual odometer readings. So if you reset at 3,000 miles, the blinking would start at 7,500 miles. Nothing would happen at 5,000 or 10,000 on the odometer.
Has ANYONE ELSE at all seen this blinking at the 3000 miles mark?? I hate to assume it's some specific change made by Toyota as none of their actual maintainence documentation online or in the manual reflects such a change in policy. Is it possible that it was the maintainence reminder that you program through the MFD and not the one with the ODO button hold to reset?? I just find this unusual, but not impossible without some change in first oil change recommendation coming officially from Toyota first.
Evan, Good question. I am working from a spousal report of this reminder, and my dealer (from whom I took delivery) is Prius-aware enough to have set some sort of 3000-mile notice on the MFD. For example, he showed us how to use the Calendar to leave notes to pop up on a specified date. I will look for myself (I've become one of those who rarely gets to drive his own car) soon and let you know. Thanks for the suggestion. At this point I plan to have the dealer do a 3000 and a 5000-mile oil change (all these free coupons I thought I wouldn't use), rotating at 5000 and going on from there, with the indicator light reset at 5000 so it will resume reminding me at 9500. That's one way to do it.
It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest that some enlightened dealers are now taking advantage of some of the lesser known features that Prius offers.
I'm at 2000, should I go ahead and get an oil change now or wait until I reach 3000... or does it not matter either way? How long does an oil change usually take? I would hate to be without my car for a whole day.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(heliotropehead\";p=\"54388)</div> First time car owner eh! Ok, first of all, if you follow Toyota's recs you don't need to change the oil until 5000 miles. There's lots of theories on when it's best to do the first change. Several of us have done it early (I think I did my first at 3k and switched to synthetic at that point (also not a Toyota rec.)), but without any sound science to back up that practice. In all likelyhood 5000 miles is absolutely fine, no harm will befall you doing it sooner and there is a theoretical possibility that you may get some of the nastier metal breakdown products out and improve the engine life (from what, 250k miles to 275k miles??). Remember on the 1G Prius, when Toyota was paying the maintainence, they oil changes were at 7500 miles with basicly the exact same engine. Now we pay and the changes are every 5000 miles...hmmm. Don't sweat this, if time and money are issues you are perfectly fine waiting for the 5000 mile mark...this is probably the most environmentally friendly thing (less oil used over life of car than doing changes every 3000 miles) and is supported by Toyota's warranty. A change should take only about 30 minutes...if you have your tires rotated add another 20-30 min.
After a tire rotation, make sure the front and rear air pressure is the way you want it. This is because the tires will be moved and (from what I read) you do not want the rear tire pressure to be greater than that in front. </getting off my own topic>
Yep! My Prius is my very first car! I was a very late bloomer due to many things, but mostly a fear of driving. Everything is new to me which is why I consider this site the Bible.
What maintaince reminder throught the MFD? I thought the only way to reset the light was to basically hold the odo button while u start the car? Am i missing some lesser known features?
Yes, my message (displayed at startup) was titled "Information" and not the kind you get from the steering wheel button, but rather from the Info button next to the MFD. (I've got to pay more attention to those Spousal Reports - that IS what she said it looked like.) The screen had a "tray" for about 8 reminder icons, but contained only 2: oil change and oil filter. I'm pretty sure this was set by the (well-meaning) dealer. But even in Escanaba, 3000 miles between oil changes seems too soon and I am likely to wait for 5000 and rotation. Thanks again for your helpful comments.
I'm coming in late. It's a sad state of afairs when such trivial daily obstacles such as work and family get in the way of PriusChat. Anyway, Jim, you say that you have an August '04. Mine is also August '04 and I JUST had my oil changed at exactly 5,000. Until you were able to clarify that the notice was on the MFD rather than the dash, I was trying to figure that out. Just like clockwork, my MAINT REQD light started blinking at 4,500. This was an unwelcomed reminder since I was with my family and every time I took someone for a drive, the car was blinking MAINT REQD. Not always a good first impression.
That's when I tell the newbie the light will go out when THEY pay me for the oil change. I learned what the dealer's staff did. They read the Nav manual on pages 96 and 97, but did not enter themselves as a dealer location (too far). I have the option of touching the "Do not display this message again" switch and I can set my own reminder for oil and filter change at the mileage I want. I can add "rotate the tires" and there are other fluids and filters I could have checked at a specified date or mileage. I'm not trying to spoil the fun of discovering these things for yourself, but we don't all have time, and I wanted to state that I did read the manual. I know enough about technology to still be surprised when it works.
