Another oil burning Prius :(

Maybe you should buy a lottery ticket or two.

Over the course of those years, several (a lot really I think)models have come out that used oil from the day they were new.

And.......are you telling me that those 5 vehicles all used absolutely NO oil between recommended changes.......which should have been extended from 3K miles to the currrent 7K miles or more......or are you saying that they just didn't use enough so that you had to add between changes ?? I might easily believe that IF you have kept a 3K change interval over all those years.

 

My last 5 cars burned exactly zero quarts of oil in between scheduled intervals.

 

What oil should I use in my 11 Prius with 220000 miles.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Cheap and clean.

 

Is it consuming, how much?

 

The kind that comes in gallon jugs that you can keep in the trunk.

Unless it is using a lot of oil between changes, you "should" use whatever kind of oil that you please.
Whatever was originally recommended would be good. See the oil fill cap.

 

For those with excessive oil usage..did you ever do a leakdown test and compression test? If so what were the readings? In my experience these will show leaking rings, valves etc way ahead of when it actually becomes problematic. Im going to have my car done before the warranty is up just to make sure...

 

Yes, the oil level never dropped below the full mark on the dipstick between oil and filter changes on the five vehicles.

I used regular motor oil in the older two vehicles which had four cylinder engines: 1979 Mercedes 240D (diesel) and an 1986 Honda Accord. Oil and filter change intervals on those were 3,000 miles. I knew their history since both were purchased new. I was surprised that the 240D didn't use oil since previous Mercedes I had used quite a lot as if they were designed to. The earlier Mercedes held a lot of oil and I remember the difference between the full and add mark on the dipstick of one was around 2 quarts with a total oil capacity of about 8 quarts.

The three later vehicles were all Toyota products: One Camry V6 and two Lexus LS V8 sedans. 5,000 mile oil and filter changes on those three. The Camry V6 never saw anything except Mobil 1 synthetic - it's now being driven by a nephew and is at over 200,000 miles. I used regular oil in the first Lexus for its first 40,000 or so miles since Toyota did not sanction the use of synthetic oil in the early 1990's - then it was Mobil 1 synthetic only until I sold the car to a friend at 183,000 miles. He drove that Lexus to 300,000 miles before he sold it.

I don't know what type of oil was used for the first 3 years/36,000 miles in the second Lexus but it was always serviced at a Lexus dealer. I used only Mobil 1 from 36,000 miles until I sold it at 180,000 miles. It also never used a drop of oil between 5,000 mile changes.

I doubt if we've been just "lucky". I think it is more likely that it has been because I've done all of the oil changes and most of the maintenance myself and have always met or exceeded maintenance requirements. Now that I've mostly "retired" from doing vehicle maintenance due to my age, I pay a lot of attention to the maintenance and repair work I pay others to do.

I especially pay attention to the oil level in the Prius based on what I've read about the dangers of overfilling Atkinson cycle engines. After the nearby Toyota dealer once overfilled the Prius engine by about 1/2 quart of oil during an oil change, I had them remove the excess oil.

 

Yes Sam. Maintained the 5 vehicles with 5k oil changes but never added any oil in between. In fact that reminds me I have several half used cans/bottles of oil just sitting around from olden times that I need to recycle. Only thing I need oil for is a yearly in my lawn mower.

 

There are some things that can cause oil usage that will NOT show up on those tests: Valve guide seals just for instance.

And that is a lot of $$$ to be spending on an engine that is not showing symptoms, just out of "curiosity".

 

YOU did not initially make the "5 vehicles" claim and my question was not directed towards YOU.

Although your response was interesting.

 

Don't forget to keep us updated on oil consumption!

 

Oil consumption doesn't mean it's a bad engine. Honestly half a quart at 100k isn't bad. It might be a number of things but for the most part nothing serious. I'd just check it regularly and keep adding. Also, you might try a high mileage oil. I know there's not much difference but synthetic oils are usually very thin that might lessen the usage.

 

A leakdown test shows the sealing ability of the combustion chamber IE Piston and rings to cylinder wall, Valve faces to the valve seats and head gasket seal.
If you have leakage into the breather the piston and rings are suspect.
If there is leakage into the cooling system or where the head meets the block the head gasket or head or block is suspect.

With a worn out guide the valve will more than likely contact the seat on the side opposite of the pressure from the rocker or cam lobe. this will create extra wear to the seat and valve face. When the pressure is off the valve the spring may pull the valve back to center on the seat. The leakdown test will show the leakage at the valve to seat junction requiring attention.

They don't cost that much and id rather find out before my warranty runs out, ive had a lot of these done as part of a Pre inspection and pre sale of my vehicles..

 

Yes I always do for my( PPI) pre purchase inspection..and when selling provide the same back...glad to hear your oil use is holding stable

 

My wife's 07 Prius has had that same rattle for over 50k miles haha. I have looked everywhere and cannot find what rattles but doesn't seem to be a problem.

It also consumes about 1 qt or so every 5k miles. We keep tabs on it and just add as needed. I will look into the PCV replacement to see if that helps.