I just bought a 2012 Prius C with a 1NZ-FXE engine. The first oil change is scheduled at 10k miles. I verified with the service manager that there is no point in changing the oil any earlier the first time. The Toyota manual does not recommend an early change. None of the guys over at Priuschat forums recommend an early change either. Numerous UOA’s have been done by Priuschat members that show the OEM oil is doing fine at the 10k mark. The oil used and specified is Toyota 0W20, which is synthetic and currently produced by Mobil.
While judging oil by how it looks is not a means to decide when to change it out, these Atkinson cycle 1NZ-XFE engines burn fuel very cleanly I think, my other Prius has the same model engine (but it is a 2005) and at 5k the oil is just taking on some color. At 10k it has turned a nice amber color.
So, I am leaning to keeping an eye on the oil and plan on a 10k oci right from the beginning. I remember the old days when I would dump the factory fill early thinking I was doing the right thing for my new engine. Now that I reflect back, I don’t know if I was really getting any benefit from that early change.
I have 400 miles on the engine now and it will be awhile until I rack up enough road time for an oil change. But you know how obsessive we BITOG members are! What would you do in my situation? Thanks.
While judging oil by how it looks is not a means to decide when to change it out, these Atkinson cycle 1NZ-XFE engines burn fuel very cleanly I think, my other Prius has the same model engine (but it is a 2005) and at 5k the oil is just taking on some color. At 10k it has turned a nice amber color.
So, I am leaning to keeping an eye on the oil and plan on a 10k oci right from the beginning. I remember the old days when I would dump the factory fill early thinking I was doing the right thing for my new engine. Now that I reflect back, I don’t know if I was really getting any benefit from that early change.
I have 400 miles on the engine now and it will be awhile until I rack up enough road time for an oil change. But you know how obsessive we BITOG members are! What would you do in my situation? Thanks.