Perform Oil Change For Resaleability Reasons?

[The Critic]

As it turns out, it is possible that I may end up selling the Prius a few years down the road, probably before 100k. When buying late-model vehicles, buyers tend to scrutinize the maintenance records quite carefully, especially since it is a high-risk car-- a hybrid.

Toyota recommends 10k intervals for oil changes with 0w-20 and for most mechanically inclined individuals, this is too long in between oil changes.

I think a while back, there was a poll done on this site and the vast majority of individuals would be uncomfortable with buying a car that was serviced on intervals of that length (10k).

I am at 15k on the Prius right now and the last service was done at 10.5k. Even though the oil is probably OK, should I start doing oil changes with the 0w-20 synthetic every 5k from now on to make the car a more desirable vehicle when it comes time to resell it?

Thoughts please.

 

[tonycarguy]

The additional cost of doing 5k OCIs probably won't be recovered in resale value. By 100k miles, that car will be worth about $7k. The cost of 5000mi synthetic OCIs will be an additional $600. I don't think a buyer would pay an extra $600 just for 5k OCIs. I know I wouldn't

 

[hounddog]

Follow the book and fill in the maintance interval pages plus keep the receipts. You'll impress most buyers.

 

[Radman]

When I look at a used car I scrutinize maintenance. I won't buy a vehicle that has gone 5K OCI's. The hybrids are unique since they run electric & gas which as a buyer I would double my standards. If it were my car I would do the oil changes every 7.5K.

 

[caravanmike]

Originally Posted By: tonycarguy
The additional cost of doing 5k OCIs probably won't be recovered in resale value.

that may be true but it could mean the difference between a buyer walking or staying. i always think that 10 possible buyers is better than 5.

 

[uart]

Originally Posted By: hounddog
Follow the book and fill in the maintance interval pages plus keep the receipts. You'll impress most buyers.

^ This.

Using a high quality oil and the recommended service intervals should be fine. If everything is clean and running smoothly when selling then most people will be more than satisfied with the situation.

 

[levi]

Continue to follow the recommended 10K OCI.

When ready to sell in the future, pull dipstick look at oil color. If dark at all, change oil.

Nothing sells better than a shiny, happy dipstick.

 

[Mr_Incredible]

Resaleability comes in many flavors. Correct price, clean carpets, no stains or burn holes, waxed, clean engine bay, clean oil on the dipstick, printout of maintenance (including dates and mileage), tires with tread, clean windows, and a new or new-ish set of keys on a simple but shiny ring.

I want a quick sale to someone that is excited about the deal. If you say 5k mile changes and wave the maintenance records around, it isn't staying in the driveway very long.

I sold Daughter's car after she went into the Navy. I cleaned the heck out of it, printed off the maintenance records, put a reasonable price on it, and put it on Craiglist at 7pm on Friday. I had five people that contacted me and the new owner drove away before 11am the next day. There was even a guy driving into the circle to see it as it left.

When it sells itself, that's worth more than a few bucks some times. I don't think we'll sell before the car dies of old age, but I'm doing 5k mi changes on our Prius. Not much else to do to it.

 

[addyguy]

I'm gonna go against the grain here.

If you are definetly going to sell the car privately, rather than drive it into the ground, or trade it in on your next ride, I would DEFINETLY start doing 5k OCI's.

I'm pretty sure that a record of short oil changes will make the car sell faster, and for more when the time comes. I still see adds all the time, and the one thing that is highlighted is that 'the oil is changed every 5,000km, with records'.

For the average, un-educated public, this stands out more than anything else. I'd bet BIG on it.

 

[Bladecutter]

If you show the prospective owner that the manufacturer recommended oil change interval is 10k miles by pulling out the owners manual, and actually showing them, and they still try to tell you that you didn't take care of your car properly after that, and try to drag down the price, tell them to have a nice day.

BC.

 

[Jeff_in_VABch]

Isnt buying a used Prius with 100K kinda like buying a used light bulb?

You just dont know how long it's going to last.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Jeff_in_VABch
Isnt buying a used Prius with 100K kinda like buying a used light bulb?

You just dont know how long it's going to last.


Are you serious?

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Bladecutter
If you show the prospective owner that the manufacturer recommended oil change interval is 10k miles by pulling out the owners manual, and actually showing them, and they still try to tell you that you didn't take care of your car properly after that, and try to drag down the price, tell them to have a nice day.

BC.

True, but would have the same opinion if it was a BMW 335i that had been serviced every 17-20k as directed by the onboard computer?

 

[doyall]

I would think that a prospective buyer of a hybrid is going to be more concerned with battery condition/life than engine condition/life. I know I would. Perhaps that is what Jeff is referring to.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: doyall
I would think that a prospective buyer of a hybrid is going to be more concerned with battery condition/life than engine condition/life. I know I would. Perhaps that is what Jeff is referring to.


Hybrid battery life has been a non-issue for the most part. If you want to play it really safe then I would just avoid the cars that have been driven in extremely hot and/or mountainous regions.

And yes, hybrids with 100lk do not appear to suffer from a steeper depreciation curve than comparable cars.

 

[Slick17601]

I've sold 2 vehicles privately in my life and the first question was ” was the oil changed every 3,000 miles?

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
As it turns out, it is possible that I may end up selling the Prius a few years down the road, probably before 100k. When buying late-model vehicles, buyers tend to scrutinize the maintenance records quite carefully, especially since it is a high-risk car-- a hybrid.

Toyota recommends 10k intervals for oil changes with 0w-20 and for most mechanically inclined individuals, this is too long in between oil changes.

I think a while back, there was a poll done on this site and the vast majority of individuals would be uncomfortable with buying a car that was serviced on intervals of that length (10k).

I am at 15k on the Prius right now and the last service was done at 10.5k. Even though the oil is probably OK, should I start doing oil changes with the 0w-20 synthetic every 5k from now on to make the car a more desirable vehicle when it comes time to resell it?

Thoughts please.


I'm one of those guys that would run, not walk away from a car that had an owner that did extended drain intervals. A 5K 6 month OCI would be my limit. I'm sure I'll get flamed but it's my hard earned money. I'd be willing to bet if two indentical cars were driven under the exact same conditions, one car serviced with an OTC API SM or SN oil, and a new filter @ 5k mile intervals. The other serviced with the very best boutique oil at 1 yr intervals [not exceeding the mile limit set by the oil mfg], the car serviced at 5K would have a cleaner engine with less wear. JMO

Most mechanics and engine builders would agree, the ones I spoke with did. Nothing wrong with extended drains, just don't expect the vast majority of the car buying public that takes the time to check records to be buyers paying top $$. But then again some sellers are just lucky, or keep two sets of records.

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: Slick17601
I've sold 2 vehicles privately in my life and the first question was ” was the oil changed every 3,000 miles?

I had just the opposite experience - nobody even asked. One guy did pull the dipstick and look at it - but the test drive was the selling point.

The problem I see here is that the perception of what is the "right" OCI will be different from one person to another.
With all due respect - look at Demarpaint. His limit is 5K OCI. That's fine - like he said it's his hard earned money. But for some it will be 3k, others 7K, etc. For me I'd ask if they followed the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.

 

[semaj281]

I can be hard on my vehicles and I'm not sure if any oil can withstand my driving habits for 10k. I agree with the others and would say 5k over 10k. If a prospective buyer is on the fence about things, waving the maintenance record book with 5k oil changes and receipts might be the selling point.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: oldmaninsc
I had just the opposite experience - nobody even asked. One guy did pull the dipstick and look at it - but the test drive was the selling point.


I agree with the point that some people might ask about a certain OCI, and some prefer the short OCIs when buying. Aside from that, many of us have seen vehicles that were sludged to high heaven, with chunkies on the dipstick, yet the seller maintains that the oil was changed every 3,000 miles with whatever oil brand they think will impress others.