Itch to change oil

[The Critic]

The Prius just hit 25k last night and the maint message is on.

It has been 5k since the last oil change with Toyota 0w20.

With the 0w-20 synthetic vehicles, Toyota is recommending 10k between oil services, but the maint light still comes on every 5k to alert the driver to have a tire rotation and multi-point inspection done. However, up until now I have just been changing the oil every 5k even though it is not needed.

Should I do an oil change? At the moment I am leaning towards no.

 

[montero1]

I vote no.

 

[Turk]

Do one at 7,000.

 

[toneydoc]

Since the auto does some percentage of miles on electric only, I vote to wait to 7500 miles. Especially since you have Toyota 0w20 synthetic in her.

 

[Hokiefyd]

For me, it's not "when I do have to change the oil?", it's "when do I get to change the oil?"

If you enjoy changing the oil, go ahead and change it. Life's too short. If changing oil is a chore, wait and do it at the 10k mile mark.

I do 5,000 mile OCIs (and on 5k mile intervals on the odometer) on my vehicles, despite what the maintenance minder might say. The 5k mile intervals are an easy way to keep track of it, and it's sometimes hard to wait until 5,000 miles comes around. Changing oil is a hobby to me, and I enjoy doing it whenever I can.

 

[addyguy]

You do enough driving that you'll be at 10k on the interval in no time - just wait it out.

 

[cptbarkey]

frankly i think it is in toyota's best interest to never make oil change recomendations that long since their history of sludging is still fresh in my mind. i have a 2011 sienna which will get 5k changes and non synthetic for its lifetime.

 

[webfors]

You'd probably be dumping good oil if you changed it now. Whatever is more convenient for you.

 

[friendly_jacek]

I'm going by the 10,000 mile/12 months rule in my prius. What convinced me the oil liked like new on dipstick at 5,000 miles. Since I drive mostly city and I'm good about costing to stops ("gliding"), the engine sees no more than 7,000 miles use in 10,000 miles ODO.

 

[Malo83]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
For me, it's not "when I do have to change the oil?", it's "when do I get to change the oil?"

If you enjoy changing the oil, go ahead and change it. Life's too short. If changing oil is a chore, wait and do it at the 10k mile mark.

I do 5,000 mile OCIs (and on 5k mile intervals on the odometer) on my vehicles, despite what the maintenance minder might say. The 5k mile intervals are an easy way to keep track of it, and it's sometimes hard to wait until 5,000 miles comes around. Changing oil is a hobby to me, and I enjoy doing it whenever I can.


X2

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
For me, it's not "when I do have to change the oil?", it's "when do I get to change the oil?"

If you enjoy changing the oil, go ahead and change it. Life's too short. If changing oil is a chore, wait and do it at the 10k mile mark.

I do 5,000 mile OCIs (and on 5k mile intervals on the odometer) on my vehicles, despite what the maintenance minder might say. The 5k mile intervals are an easy way to keep track of it, and it's sometimes hard to wait until 5,000 miles comes around. Changing oil is a hobby to me, and I enjoy doing it whenever I can.

Especially when you use a fluid extractor to siphon the oil via dipstick tube, and the cartridge oil filter is on top of the engine.

So easy and fast to change the oil in my E430, I have the urge to change oil in that car every month. Once in while I like to remove the filter holder to look at the filter condition too. What else do I do on the weekend morning after the coffee ?

 

[antiqueshell]

I too vote NO.

The earliest I would even consider bothering would be around 8500 miles.

 

[thelazyhero]

I guess I would fall under the "I have an itch to change the oil" category. I constantly look at my odometer to see whether or not its time.

 

[The Critic]

I personally hate changing oil, that's why I usually pay someone to do it. I would much rather replace brakes, replace struts or even fix oil leaks. Don't ask me why...

I've decided to leave the oil in until 10k because it's just a chore to change the oil.

It's funny that I had my 25k service done at the dealer and they did not even upsell an oil change.