The 2010 Prius is a small five-door hatchback automobile manufactured by Toyota, a Japanese company. The propulsion system in the Prius is a combination of a small gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor. The mode is not chosen by the driver; this happens automatically and seamlessly. The result is very good fuel economy. Because the Prius has a gasoline motor, regular maintenance procedures are required for the longevity of the engine and to keep the warranty valid. Changing the oil in the Prius is one maintenance function most owners can perform.
Drive the car onto a set of low-profile automotive ramps, and set the parking brake. Chock the rear wheels. Locate the plastic shield mounted underneath the engine. Pry the center up on the three retaining pins on the shield with a flat blade screwdriver. Pull the pins from the shield, then rotate the shield downward to reveal the bottom of the engine.
Place a drain pan under the engine, then loosen the drain plug on the bottom of the engine oil pan with a 14-mm socket and ratchet. Remove the plug the rest of the way by hand and allow the oil to drain into the pan. Remove the old gasket from the plug, then push a new one in place. Thread the plug back into the oil pan once the oil has finished draining, and tighten it to 27 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.
Locate the oil filter cap on the passenger side of the car near the oil pan, and slide the drain pan under this location. Remove the filter cap in a counterclockwise direction with a 65-mm filter wrench turned with a ratchet wrench. Pull the paper oil filter cartridge from the inside of the cap and discard it. Remove the old rubber gasket from the cap and discard it as well. Wipe off any oil from the housing and surrounding area of the engine with a clean rag.
Lubricate a new gasket -- included with the oil filter -- with clean motor oil and slide it into the groove on the oil filter cap. Slide a paper oil filter cartridge into the cap until it is fully seated. Thread the cap back onto the oil filter housing on the engine and tighten it to 18 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Rotate the shield back into place, and push the retaining pins in until they are fully seated.
Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap on the passenger side of the engine bay. Place a funnel in the opening, then pour in 4.4 quarts of SAE 0W-20 synthetic oil. Remove the funnel and replace the cap. Slide the drain pan from under the vehicle and remove the wheel chocks. Start the engine and wait a few seconds for the oil pressure light to go out. Back the car off of the ramps. Pull out the dipstick on the passenger side of the engine and make sure the oil level is at the full mark. Close the hood.
