The thing I am not getting from the oil burning threads?

Until the headgasket blows and a failed catalytic converters!

 

Respectfully, you have to ask if Toyota with all their wisdom do not have an answer to this question, how likely is it that any one else has? The general opinion here seems to be that the current Prius oil rings wear more rapidly than the previous rings that were used in this engine in another automobile.(Not a Prius). When this happens then the engine uses oil. This use increases and eventually clogs up (My technical term) the EGR system , which results in destructive damage to the engine head. Since I am neither an Engineer or a Mechanic, I will not attempt a more technical explanation than this. We all would like a magical solution to this problem but short of an oil catch can, none have been forthcoming.

 

Not everyone complains.

I found our 2010 to be consuming a quart every 4500 miles at 120 k miles a couple of years ago. We are currently at 170 k miles and going strong.

A quart every 2 k miles is a fair bit. How did you find out about the oil consumption: checking the dip stick or a dash light?

There are several things I have done to reduce oil consumption to 16-20 ounces every 10 k mile oil change:

• Check the oil frequently (I check ours every Saturday) and top up as needed
• Only go 0-5 mph above the posted speed limit
• Use top tier gas
• Use BG Products 44k once a year as a gas additive
• Perform a BG Products EPR flush before I drain the oil every oil change
• As BG Products Extended Life MOA with the fresh oil
• Use 5w-30 full synthetic oil
• Cleaned the egr system front to back

If you stay on top of it, you’ll stay ahead of it .

Hope that helps.

 

I wonder: why would they switch piston rings?

 

My understanding was the original oil ring was the solid type, and one assumes, caused a lot of friction. Enter the present set up with the two very narrow rings on either side of a spacer. Presumably low friction. Just doesn't seem to wear as well.

 

If you are able do perform some maintenance to reduce the oil usage, it may increase the resale value of the car.

 

If it’s paid off, I’d keep running it.

Adding oil every so often costs a lot less than a new car. If a 2010 with 94 k miles on it, that’s ~ 12 k / year.

This would be about 6 quarts a year. If using Mobil one, that’s about $25 a year. If even a little more, the costs is minimal.

If concerned about the other factors, some things to do:

• Clean the egr circuit front to back
• Install an oil catch can
• Monitor oil use and add as needed
• Enjoy not having a car payment

But that’s just me.

Good luck with your decision.

 

As Ray said, you may be better off keeping it if you are not totally dependent on this single vehicle.

 

Good sentiment, but how to prove consumption rate?

 

From new...if people would just change their oil/filter early (500 miles) the first time, every 5,000 miles after and check the level "every time" they fill up...this wouldn't be a problem. At least they would catch it "before" things wear out and it's to late. I have been shot down by "Prius Worshipers" for saying this since day one (and before any reports of excess usage) and I stand my ground to this day as a career mechanic. But what do I know.

 

dump it like a bad habit.

 

Mine seems to leak 1/2 quart every thousand miles. I do not want to buy a new car because I am retiring soon, and then we really won't need two cars very much. So long as the Prius gets me where I want to every so often, it's fine. The real question is what kind of car to buy my wife. She has a 2008 or so Infiniti with about 140,000 miles, and that car is not going to last forever. My temptation is to let her keep driving it for a while, then buy something like a HyCam.