Here at MotorBiscuit, we get literally zero emails a week about the details of Prius Prime oil changes. However, the Internet is buzzing with a good number of people asking. Given the new Prime’s incredible step forward in style, power and innovation, many are taking notice of Toyota’s PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle). And that got us wondering, how long can you go between oil changes?
The Prius Prime isn’t just electric
Batteries may not need oil changes, but internal combustion engines do. The first and second generation Primes had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine as their primary power source. For the third-generation PHEV that debuted in 2023, the block was downsized to 2.0 liters, but is still paired with a dual motor-generator hybrid system.
Toyota’s newest Prius Prime is now its most powerful yet. Together, the engine and hybrid system deliver 220 horsepower to all four wheels. This also made the Prime the fastest yet, reaching 60 mph from a standstill in just 6.6 seconds.
How do you keep the Prius Prime driveline?
Maintaining a Prius Prime is much like any other car. It has fluids that need to be checked and topped up, tires that need to be rotated and more. According to Toyota, the recommended maintenance points are as follows:
- 5,000 miles: Rotate tires, inspect wipers, fluid levels, and brake pads.
- 10,000 miles: A typical 5,000 mile service plus an oil change.
- 15,000 miles: The 5,000-mile service, including inspection of the driveline and suspension components.
Aside from any repairs that need to be completed, maintaining a Prius Prime is fairly straightforward. However, Toyota also recommends adding an additive to clean the engine’s electronic fuel injectors every 5,000 miles for owners living in Hawaii. Regardless, every time the Prime travels a five-digit distance, the oil must be drained and the filter replaced.
What kind of oil does a Prius Prime take?
Toyota’s Prius Prime takes very, very thin oil. Typically, trucks and SUVs can run on 10W-30, 10W-40, and other dense blends. But Toyota recommends 0W-16 for the Prime.
There is a problem with the type of oil the Prius Prime takes if you do it yourself. Although it is a type of oil that will stand up to uncompromising applications, it is uncommon, therefore much more expensive. Lover viscosity oils like 0W-16 have been used overseas for decades, but are relatively new to the US
The experts at Tire Review explained that the 0W-16 oils would be part of the ILSAC (International Lubricant Specifications Advisory Committee) GF-6 release as GF-6B oil. They note that GF-6B specified oils are not compatible with previous versions. For example, the compatibility of GF-6A lubricants means that they have a conventional viscosity grade acceptable for use in cars recommended for the previous GF categories (GF-1 to GF-5).
Which is better: 0W-16 or 0W-20?
If you’re at your local auto parts store, you’ll likely see a nearly 50% decrease in the price of a five-quart jug of 0W-20 over 0W-16. Do four viscosity points matter that much? The Prius Prime owner’s manual states that 0W-20 can be used for the 10,000 mile oil change interval. But it is clarified at the service period 5,000 miles later: “If 0W-16 oil was NOT used at the last oil change, replace the engine oil and oil filter.”
0W-16 oil reduces hybrid engine warm-up times and increases fuel economy by reducing overall internal friction. Given that the Prius Prime is built with hypermiling as a priority, it’s best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. But if you really need to save that $10, just remember to spend it the next time your oil change interval comes around.
