it's scary that i have to post here to get an answer to my first question. i called my toyota dealer and my contact person couldn't answer the question and put me on hold to find the answer. my on hold status was for eternity so i hung up. i called zaino to see what products i should get for protection and polishing of my prius. they asked if the 2006 had a clear underfinish coat or not. i couldn't answer this and they said that the answer to this question determines which product i should buy. they said that if i put the wrong product on the car it wouldn't hurt the finish but it wouldn't protect it to the same degree as would the correct product. my second question is if there's some type of a diagram as to how to change one's oil. i searched for oil changes and there is no thread that either has a diagram or a step by step instructional process. thanks in advance for any help.
I just bought the Zaino Ultimate Protection Show Car Kit. It has everything you will ever need. I also bought Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal to use after I wash my car. Its not needed but I wanted it anyway. John has a good writeup on the oil change here. http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-oilchange.htm He has a lot of cool stuff on his site. http://john1701a.com/
For your second question, go to http://john1701a.com/ and do a search on "oil." First item is step by step instructions with pictures.
everything i needed. thanks guys! you're much better than my dealer. maybe you guys want to come over and perform my car maintenance now! hee hee.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SSimon @ Sep 8 2006, 12:28 PM) [snapback]316400[/snapback]</div> I suspect Dr. Fuscos's hourly rate may be more than your dealer's hourly rate for maintenance! The same would be true for many of the people here. (not me, though - I pay prevailing rates for good service because I'm DIY-challenged. I'm going to put Tire Minder valve caps on my tires tomorrow, and I hope I can operate my new tire guage correctly!)
i just looked at the oil changing link and it looks fairly easy, excepting death from being crushed by a fallen vehicle. :mellow: i'm going to give this a go. looks like i just need to be very certain that things are tightened, but not over tightened and i think i can handle this. i am, however, scared. i don't want to mess up my car!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SSimon @ Sep 8 2006, 11:53 AM) [snapback]316416[/snapback]</div> First, you do not have to raise the car to change the oil. I do it all the time with all four wheels firmly on the ground. The oil drain pan needs to slide under, but you can find ones that do so. And you have to put the oil filter on by "feel." If your worried about putting the oil filter on by feel, pick up some car ramps. The auto places have 'em for $20-30. Second, if you're unsure about your abilities you might want to get a friend that has changed oil to "supervise." It can't hurt, and can only increase you confidence that it's done right. I also check for oil leaks the first day or to after performing an oil change -- just in case. Finally, as you know, never, ever go under a car supported by only a jack. It's not worth the risk to save the cost of jackstands/ramps. Thanks, Shawn
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jeannie @ Sep 8 2006, 09:41 AM) [snapback]316411[/snapback]</div> What's the purpose of the Tire Minder caps? Since the 2006 has TPMS, can't you just check your pressure with your gauge?
