(I was also too cheap to buy the Fumoto)...no, no oil leaked out. The orange tube gets a little memory to it over time, so it'll spin a bit on the nipple. You can swap ends to help that.smtrader said:Just goggled the Fumoto valve and it's $22 + shipping. I guess I'll try the Fram and see how it works.
Rob...when you used the Fram plug before, did any oil leak out when you twist on the tube? You mentioned it could become "lose"?
When I change my oil, I'll post my experience.
Brian
thanks finman...what size oil filter wrench do you use (or is it one of those self-tightening kinds)? and, prior to the Fumoto, did you note what socket size removes the prius drain plug?finman said:Yes, the '04 Prius filter can be replaced without jacking. It is 'up there' a ways and small, but I've gotten used to where it is and can squeeze under the lower air dam thingy and twist it with a socket mounted oil-filter wrench. I have the Fumoto oil drain valve and love it. Very easy to drain, no wrenches or dropped bolts, etc. Plus the Fumoto requires 2 separate motions to get open, so chances are limited that it would 'accidently' open while driving. Love my Prius!
thanks again, finman. btw, I did notice this weekend that my local Costco has Mobil 1 5W30 in a 6-quart case for $23.39. I think WalMart was 23.99 or so for the same thing.finman said:oil drain plug is 14 MM (9/16 is too loose). Oil filter wrench measures 2 5/8". No model # on the tool or anything. Got it at Checker. Hope that helps!
I really don't know, but kind of doubt that it would. Certainly wouldn't make up for the cost. The amount of increased MPG seems to be a matter of argument. I went to synthetic oil for no real reason other than I never tried it in any of my cars before. Figured it would help prevent wear on cold starts (I live in MN), give me good long engine life, and allow me to comfortably stretch change intervals to 5k, as well as give me some possible MPG increase. Maybe saves a bit of our natural resources, too.smtrader said:Rob...if I change oil more frequently (every 3k), will the Mobil 1 make that much difference??
Dang, that's a nice deal. The Fram is pretty simple to use, but my impression is that the Fumoto is a level up in quality. On the old Explorer newsgroup, a lot of people had the concern that the Fumoto might be susceptible to opening or breaking off if you ran over something...probably more of a danger with the lower-riding Prius than on an Explorer, but one that I didn't see as a practical concern. I probably would have purchased a Fumoto, but ran across the $10 Fram in WalMart one day and you know how it is when something is right in front of you.hyperion said:By the same token, the "fumuto" sounds like a much better investment because of the procedure required of the fram. I'm skipping all of this however since my toyota dealer through in free 3,000 mile oil changes along with new filter for the life of my car, along with two free car washes a month.