Toyota Prius Oil Change

By: Andy Hodges
07/14/2009 04:22 PM ET

It is always important to follow the recommended maintenance schedule for the third generation 2010 Toyota Prius. The hybrid will need an oil change about every 5,000 miles or 6 months. A maintenance schedule might also require changing the air conditioner filter and rotating the tires.

Some 2010 Prius owners prefer to do the change instead of paying for labor costs at the dealer. If you plan to do the change yourself, make sure it does not violate the warranty on the hybrid vehicle. Also, check to make sure you don’t already have a service plan with the car.

2010 Toyota Prius Maintenance Schedule

Maintenance is an important part for the vehicle, but changing the oil can be messy, and it must be done correctly. There is also the inconvenience of storing it or taking it to a recycling dump. You do not want to want to bury it or dispose of it in your regular trash as it will cost you fines and is harmful to the environment.

The recommended type for the 2010 Prius is the Toyota Genuine Motor Oil or equivalent. The grade should be ILSAC multi-grade and viscosity weight of SAE 0W-20. If SAE 0W-20 is not available, you can use SAE 5W-20, but you must replace it with SAE 0W-20 on the next change.

Oil Change Recommendations

The 0W portion of the viscosity rating indicates the characteristic of which allows cold starts. Oils that have a lower value before the W allow for easier starting of the engine in cold weather. The 20 in the 0W-20 indicates the viscosity when the oil is at its operating temperature.

Overfilling is a constant problem for a number of owners. Careless mechanics who pour too much oil in the engine could cause damage to a number of parts and lower mpg. Check the dipstick before you leave the shop to be sure it’s exactly on the full line and not above.

Using synthetic is a simple way to better protect your engine from wear and increase efficiency. Mobil 1 is one of the preferred brands but some dealers won’t even use it. Synthetic is a little more expensive, but you’ll save money in the long run if done properly.

Top Grade Mobil 1 Synthetic

Some Prius Hybrid owners prefer to use a top grade known as Mobil 1 0W-20. However, some dealerships will tell you that Mobil 1 is not recommended. If you prefer Mobil 1, some dealers might ask you to buy it beforehand.

Some dealers are telling consumers that Mobil 1 could damage or harm their vehicles. They claim that the automaker sent out letters to service departments instructing them not to use Mobil 1. According to Toyota Product Communications Specialist, Bill Kwong, that information is not true and there should be no problem using Mobil 1 for your 2010 Toyota Prius oil change.