Hello all. New -07 package 6, touring Prius. Bought end of April 07. Let me know your thoughts: Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w-30, Pure One PL-20195 filter, plan to use 15,000 oil changes. This is because: 1) I've searched for Prius engine problems. The engine itself appears to be pretty much bullet proof. 2) I've had very good performance from M1 EP on my other cars (Saturn IONs, 2.2l ecotec engines). 3) The Purolator Pure One filters appear to be very well reviewed. 4) The PL-20195 is a huge filter (similar to a Mobil 1 -209 filter in size). This suggests that it will have plenty of filtering capacity. OK. Ready, Aim, Fire!
I would not advise a 15,000 oil change interval while the car is under warranty. All you are doing is giving Toyota ammunition to wiggle out of its warranty obligations should you suffer a mechanical failure in the engine. I would stick to the manufacturer suggested intervals until the car is out of warranty. However, if you are going to do 15,000 intervals, I would suggest UOA and a new filter every 5,000 miles. However, with the cost of UOA and a new filter, you might as well just change the oil as well.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Jun 13 2007, 12:35 PM) [snapback]460971[/snapback]</div> OK. Fair enough. Let's see a show of hands - how many folks have seen an engine failure only involving the ICE (MG1, MG2, Power Split Device and Inverter are off limits)? I've not seen folks complaining about Prius, Echo or Yaris engine failures, so I suspect that there isn't a problem with those engines. I've seen that some of the Toyota engines have a sludging problem, but the Prius isn't one of them. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Jun 13 2007, 12:35 PM) [snapback]460971[/snapback]</div> I figure that I probably will go the 15k, then do a UOA at the end. If the UOA is OK, then I will stick to the 15k intervals. If not, then I will back down to maybe 7,500 mi with M1EP. I ran M1EP on my Saturn ION for 15k. That engine uses cartridge filters that go INTO the block, so you can easily see what the filters look like. Not a trace of gunk in them at the end of 15,000 miles. So, I guess we will see.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kohnen @ Jun 13 2007, 01:45 PM) [snapback]461012[/snapback]</div> Wow, 15k before the oil analysis! Why not sample at 10k (or 5k or 7.5k) and decide what to do then?
One thing to consider is that the EU market Prius - running an ACEA spec oil - has a normal 12 month or 16,000 km oil change interval. I have run the dealer oil filter, and Mobil 1 0W-20, for 16,000 km with very good used oil analysis. The only way to answer the OP question is for the OP himself to do a UOA at 10,000 miles, then if ok to sample again at 15,000 miles
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Jun 13 2007, 07:33 PM) [snapback]461251[/snapback]</div> OK. First, how rude of me! Chamaree, thank you so much for the warm welcome to PC! Now, What is an "OP?"
The Original Poster. I rather doubt you were being rude. It's easy to miss under the avatar where a person is posting from. Of course, some don't even provide any information about where they post from
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Jun 14 2007, 11:28 AM) [snapback]461635[/snapback]</div> Thanks. I suspect that I will run the M1EP to 10,000 miles, then have Blackstone test it. I'd be surprised if there was any problem with going to 15k on it, but play it safe. On the filter, I think that it is pretty slick to be able to use a filter that (probably) has 2-3 times the area as the stock filter and has good multi-pass filtration performance. The Pure one is highly rated and less expensive ($6 vs $11) than the M1 / Amsoil filters. Anyone else have any comments on using the PL20195 (2x oversized) filter on the Prius?
Even Toyota engines show high wear metals for the first few thousand miles. I would not go to such a long OCI in your cars early life. However, it is unclear how long you plan to leave in the original oil. When do you plan on doing your first oil change? As far as the oversized filter... Is there a risk of it protruding down too low? If you really want the best filter, and you are planning on longer oil changes, you should read up on Amsoils new EAo filters. There was a bit of testing done on them by a Bitoger(Bob is the Oil Guy). Pretty astounding results. It is in the Oil Filter section.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Winston @ Jun 14 2007, 01:56 PM) [snapback]461738[/snapback]</div> Well, some of the Toyota dealers in the EU recommend an earlier initial oil change, others tell Prius owners to leave the factory oil for the recommended 12 months or 16,000 km. As far as I know, VW does not require an early initial oil change, but to run the 24 month or 30,000/50,000 km interval, depending on motor. That Castrol LongLife II must be pretty special oil. I've attached a couple of documents about this. If I was really interested in extended oil changes, and I don't consider 16,000 km "extended" anymore, I would invest in a bypass oil filter. Then I would only change the oil when the UOA indicated. Motor technology has really changed in the past 10 years, and is light years beyond the leaky assembly of the 1960's and earlier, when you were lucky to get the odometer past 99,999 miles. A lot of the old concern about getting "break in" debris out is pretty much out, as modern assembly techniques are vastly superior to older techniques
