The best oil for long distance operation

Status
Not open for further replies.
I usually do the Mobil because Autozone has it on sale all the time, $28 for 5 quarts and a M1 filter. Since my car only uses 3 quarts, I buy 10qts and 3 filters for around $70 and I'm set for the year.

I've yet to see them offer that on the Pennzoil Platinum.
 
Keep an eye on Advanced Auto, they pretty much always have some sort of a sale with 5 quarts of oil and a filter for $30 or less.

This month they have the Mobil 1 special for 5 quarts and M1 filter for $32.99, but also have...

5 quarts of either Penn Platinm or Quaker State Q with a Bosch Distance Plus for only $26.99, a better deal!

Not that you will likely be using these cheaper specials but they also have.... 5 quarts of either Pennz or Quaker High Mileage and a Pureone filter for only $19.99

Or


5 qt PYB and a Puro Classic for only $17.99


Just an FYI a lot of auto parts stores have specials like Auto Zone.

AA also has the 5 quarts of Castrol Syntec (including the German Castrol 0w-30) + random filter deals for under $30, which is probably what i will get next.
 
Originally Posted By: kcfx4
Castrol Edge in the flavor your car requires


Edge would be my choice as well. That trip is a walk in a park for the oil, those conditions are great. Truth is any SL, SM or SN oil in the grade your car calls for should do fine.
 
Originally Posted By: toyotapriusguy
I usually do the Mobil because Autozone has it on sale all the time, $28 for 5 quarts and a M1 filter. Since my car only uses 3 quarts, I buy 10qts and 3 filters for around $70 and I'm set for the year.

I've yet to see them offer that on the Pennzoil Platinum.


Hi toyotapriusguy. Be careful you don't under-fill too much! IIRC the "official" capacity is 3.8 quarts, though a lot of owners do like to only fill 3.5 to 3.6 quarts as they prefer it just under the top dimple on the stick instead of just over.

I've got a 2005 Prius (same engine as yours) and it's very easy on oil. I'm comfortable doing 7500 to 10000 miles on synthetic or even synthetic blend. Castrol Edge, PP or Valv Synpower or M1 are all great choices if you want full synth.

I wouldn't be in any hurry to drain it straight after the trip either. My last change was at 14000km (8,700km) on just synthetic blend (valv durablend) and the oil still looked in great condition when I drained it.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: uart
Originally Posted By: toyotapriusguy
I usually do the Mobil because Autozone has it on sale all the time, $28 for 5 quarts and a M1 filter. Since my car only uses 3 quarts, I buy 10qts and 3 filters for around $70 and I'm set for the year.

I've yet to see them offer that on the Pennzoil Platinum.


Hi toyotapriusguy. Be careful you don't under-fill too much! IIRC the "official" capacity is 3.8 quarts, though a lot of owners do like to only fill 3.5 to 3.6 quarts as they prefer it just under the top dimple on the stick instead of just over.

I've got a 2005 Prius (same engine as yours) and it's very easy on oil. I'm comfortable doing 7500 to 10000 miles on synthetic or even synthetic blend. Castrol Edge, PP or Valv Synpower or M1 are all great choices if you want full synth.

I wouldn't be in any hurry to drain it straight after the trip either. My last change was at 14000km (8,700km) on just synthetic blend (valv durablend) and the oil still looked in great condition when I drained it.


My book says 3.9 quarts or 3.7 litres the 2001-2003 is 3.8 quarts or 3.6 litres. Dont forget the drain plug requires 28 ft-lbs those quantities are including filter. My book also says 5w30 sl oil at interval of 6 months or 5000 mi the 2001-2003 is 4 months with same miles. Oh and for more info the engine is a 1.5L.
 
I think 3.9 must be the dry capacity, because I find 3.8 will usually take to just a tad over the top dimple on the stick.
 
Originally Posted By: uart
I think 3.9 must be the dry capacity, because I find 3.8 will usually take to just a tad over the top dimple on the stick.

Yeah must have 100ml or so in the pan. I dont have a prius so I cant say personally and my book has been wrong before. Not many but has been.
 
5,200 all highway miles is about the easiest you will get on oil, period. it doesnt matter that it will be running approx 37 hours non-stop, thats what it is made to do. the oil temps wont get any higher than normal during a sustained rpm drive, they will stay quite stable in fact. any off the shelf motor oil from walmart of the correct grade will work just fine, synthetic or conventional. you could even go to 5w20 and not really hurt anything, possible increase your mileage a tad too.
 
Use what you been using for that kind of drive you car will not notice the mileage any way. If it would be my car I would put more miles just because most of it will be highway in normal (easy) driving condition. Take a qt extra with you, even if you wont need it, it will not weight down the car and it will come handy if you find out that you car will use some oil during that type of driving, since it dose not state that you did this kind of drive before I would sugest check your oil level every gas stop, it wont hurt, and if you will notice consumption you already have a qt in your trunk
wink.gif
.
 
Originally Posted By: uart
Originally Posted By: toyotapriusguy
I usually do the Mobil because Autozone has it on sale all the time, $28 for 5 quarts and a M1 filter. Since my car only uses 3 quarts, I buy 10qts and 3 filters for around $70 and I'm set for the year.

I've yet to see them offer that on the Pennzoil Platinum.


Hi toyotapriusguy. Be careful you don't under-fill too much! IIRC the "official" capacity is 3.8 quarts, though a lot of owners do like to only fill 3.5 to 3.6 quarts as they prefer it just under the top dimple on the stick instead of just over.


For me 3 quarts is half way up the dipstick, and I'm comfortable with that. No big issue with that is there?

For those that care, I'll be running a UOA on the oil and the transmission fluid when I get back, the transaxle fluid was changed about 500 miles ago and I'll have it done again when I get back
 
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Keep an eye on Advanced Auto, they pretty much always have some sort of a sale with 5 quarts of oil and a filter for $30 or less.


I would love to shop there, but according to their website store locator, there isn't a store with-in 50 miles of West Hollywood.

(Seriously??)
 
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Keep in mind everyone he has a warranty to maintain and doesn't want to go too far mileage wise and have issues with the engine.


Not a problem by an oil & filter and say you changed it
wink.gif
 
Originally Posted By: snajper69
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Keep in mind everyone he has a warranty to maintain and doesn't want to go too far mileage wise and have issues with the engine.


Not a problem by an oil & filter and say you changed it
wink.gif



I could never actually do that. I'd be to worried that when I do take it to Toyota for something, warranty or otherwise, Karma would come back around and they would either lie about a service or deny a warranty claim.

Honeslty, as it already is, I think the dealership didn't actually change my transaxle fluid earlier this month.
 
Originally Posted By: toyotapriusguy
My car doesn't burn oil. Since highway driving is easier on the car, it wouldnt cause it to burn oil would it? We'll be as close to the speed limit as possible.


A couple of items that are not easy on a cross country trip.

1) A small car loaded with 4 adults with luggage.

2) A strong cross wind.

3) On a cross country trip you will encounter some hilly/mountainous terrain.

4) Rain. Driving through standing water uses more power.

5) Any combination of the first four.

For this trip I don't think you can beat your regular oil. I would go for best fuel economy and run 0w-30, and due to the five items I'd take 1 or 2 bottles along for top up.
 
Last edited:
I plan on filling up with 0w30 when I get back but figured that since the car wouldn't be cool enough for the 0w part for very long that 0w and 5w wouldn't be noticeable.
 
Quote:
...IF you want to save on costs somewhat, choose a blend, like Mobil 7500, which will go 7-8k with ease.
Where does one find MC 7.5k? I haven't seen it sold anywhere, very rare now, price unknown. With QSHP/UD at $19 or less with promos, I'd choose it for 7-8k.
 
Originally Posted By: toyotapriusguy
We'll be as close to the speed limit as possible.

I think this is the key, for that application I would agree any SM oil will do.

But if you keep race the engine, I would only use synthetic.
 
Originally Posted By: sayjac
Quote:
...IF you want to save on costs somewhat, choose a blend, like Mobil 7500, which will go 7-8k with ease.
Where does one find MC 7.5k? I haven't seen it sold anywhere, very rare now, price unknown. With QSHP/UD at $19 or less with promos, I'd choose it for 7-8k.

My Pep Boys carries it, some Orielys carry it
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
Are Turbos Hard on Oil?
7 8 9
Replies
173
Views
8K
cryptolyme
A
GM 1.5L Turbo - Help Me Pick an Oil!
2 3
Replies
59
Views
2K
b3rdm4n
W
Best oil for new 2025 2.0L ecoboost?
2
Replies
37
Views
2K
MVAR
A
Best HPL for Oil Burning Toyota 22RE
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
Sienna dude
jtay2024
The Best Oil Choice Possible - K12C Suzuki
Replies
8
Views
429
Bailes1992
Back
Top Bottom