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Oil consumption

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by MABell, Mar 4, 2014.

  1. MABell

    MABell Junior Member

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    My 2006 Prius with 126K mikes has started to use more oil than I think it should.

    Use to use none between oil changes, then part of a quart between oil changes as the miles stacked up.

    Now it’s nearly a quart every 1,000 mikes.

    In the old days, they would say to replace the PCV valve. That if plugged it can drastically increase oil consumption.

    But I don’t know if cars even have PCV valves anymore.

    Any thoughts?
    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    There is a PCV valve on the car but the Prius is known to burn a little oil at high mileage. Not sure changing the PCV would reduce the amount of oil burning that you are describing. Are you by any chance using 0w-20 weight Oil?
     
  3. MABell

    MABell Junior Member

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    No, the oil they call for. 5w20 as I recall.
    THX
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The oil for the 2006 is 5w30, If you go to that weight it should help with your consumption problem. Just check your oil level regularly so you can maintain the proper levels

    SM-N900P ?
     
    AzWxGuy likes this.
  5. MABell

    MABell Junior Member

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    Thank you JC91006.
    Appreciate the help.
     
  6. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    How many miles on her now?
     
  7. MABell

    MABell Junior Member

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  8. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    You might try one of the various high mileage oils. I am up to 166K on my 2008 and it uses a little over a quart between 5000 mile changes now. All highway miles, which tends to use more oil anyway. It did suddenly show a jump in oil consumption around the 125K mark. I had been using a synthetic. I switched to Valvoline Max Life and the consumption decreased. The manufacturer claims additives in their product will clean the oil control ring on the pistons and also return some flexibility to the oil seals on the valves. All I know is the consumption doesn't appear to be getting worse, which is a good thing.
     
  9. MABell

    MABell Junior Member

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    Good to know AzWxGuy. Thanks
    I was mistaken in the weight. The manual calls for (and I use) 10-30w
    I changed oil in it today and zeroed the trip odometer, and will keep a closer watch on consumption by miles.
    Thanks everyone.
     
  10. ITGuy1024

    ITGuy1024 Junior Member

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    Figured I would throw this in.

    My 2006 with 102k miles also started to burn a large amount of oil recently also.

    So you're not alone.
     
  11. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Coincidentally that's almost exactly the same as what I'm currently at (202,800 km). I've always used 5w30 and am currently consuming about a third of a liter every 3000 miles. I'm happy enough with this level of consumption.

    BTW. I'm pretty sure other have said the manual calls for 5W30 in the US. I don't think 10W30 will hurt anything though, as long as it's not really cold there.
     
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Do you use synthetic or Dino oil? Grade?

    SM-N900P ?
     
  13. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Just to keep this quantitative, could people try to post roughly how many miles traveled per quart consumed, or at least something like that.

    Some people have very different views than others on what constitutes a "large amount". :)
     
  14. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    My Prius consumes 1/4 quart every ~3000 miles, almost like clockwork. Im not noticing any specific pattern (i.e. Im driving more highway, more city, cold/hot ambient temps, etc). I presently have 80,200 miles.

    However, I have read about a "Kreen treatment" in the engine oil and might try that to keep my oil control ring passages un-carboned.
     
  15. Jeff Scott

    Jeff Scott New Member

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    Hello all,

    Yes, there is an issue with the Toyota motors consuming oil. What I suggest is to goto this website and click on Email your Complaint to this Law Office so that they can have enough Prius owners to make a Class Action Lawsuit. Toyota has lost on many other models and are repairing them. We need everyone's help that are seeing these issues.

    chimicles Law Office
    Phone: 610-642-8500

    My issue:


    The initial problem faced was loss of power and hesitation, having to rely on using the Power Option. Then I had the Spark Plugs replaced, all filters and oil. This fixed the issue, but temporary.

    By about 1000 miles prior to required oil change, I started seeing a yellow light brink on when I hit a bump or turn a corner but it wasn't on long enough to figure out what it was indicating along with the loss of power and hesitation.

    My wife finally was able to catch the warning was saying low oil pressure. At this time I took it to the dealership and I told them that we need the oil changed and for them to be sure that it gets filled to the top of the dipstick as we had an indicator light come on, not sure of what caused the issue. The Dealership did not document this event.

    Before the next only change we had a repeated of events. At this time Avondale Toyota searched for any leaks and found none. This time was documented and he mentioned to return at around 2000k miles to check the levels.

    It was found that over 1 1/2 quarts had to be added but I don't know the exact mileage of when I brought it.

    At this point I agreed to follow the Oil Consumption Test (the technician seals all ports and fills the oil to the top-my agreement is to be return back between 1100-1300 miles).

    When I returned at 1200 miles, the results found that I am consuming oil. They had to add 1.49 quarts (1 quart per 800 miles).

    So I reached out to Toyota since I was told that Toyota's Engineers have Spec'd out that "normal" is using up 1 quart of oil in 600 miles. I was also told that before my Extended Warranty would even assist(if at all), a Diagnostic Testing would be required on my expense (Starting at $400 and unknown Max).

    Toyota replied that it is normal consumption and that they would not provide any assistance. I then asked to discussed this further with upper management. The manager Pat called me and it was such a waist of time as she only documented what I am saying but only would respond with I am sorry, but this is normal. That oil is something everyone is suppose to watch on a general basis. I was furious!!!! She also would not let me speak to anyone else higher than her nor the Engineer team.

    I started researching and seen all the other models having the same issue and then I reached out to Jesse for help to represent me in a case.
     
  16. Jeff Scott

    Jeff Scott New Member

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    It is not right for us Prius Owners to have to add oil when we fill up with gas. I am consuming 1 quart of oil every 800 miles.
     
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  17. Jeff Scott

    Jeff Scott New Member

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    What information I found out is that there is not a Class Action Lawsuit yet for the Toyota Prius Models but many on other Toyota Models.
     
  18. Jeff Scott

    Jeff Scott New Member

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    If anyone else has helpful information, please help us all so we can collaborate together to get something done.
     
  19. Jeff Scott

    Jeff Scott New Member

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    Does anyone know of any other Lawyers we can reach out to that I can reach out to and put in my complaint?
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her? i don't think we have really seen any 'excessive consumption' problems that would qualify for class action.