Hello folks, 1st time posting. I've 'lurked' on this site for some time. Here's my question - I'm wondering what the odds might be that my 2013 Prius will be an oil burner before reaching 150K miles? Drinking oil, at least for me, would be 1qt/1000 miles or worse. So far, my 2013 does not consume any oil - but, I've read about quite a few prii on the carscomplaint website that do. A local repair shop that specializes in Toyota work indicated he's aware of the Gen3 Prius's tendency to consume oil. I've changed the oil on this car at 10K OCI with 0W-20. I normally hold onto my Toyotas 10 years or 150K miles. However, this issue has me concerned. I'm a believer in 'truth in advertising' - sooo, if I were to replace it now, I could, in good conscience, say it's running fine. We LOVE the mileage in this car. If we were to replace it, it's likely we'd choose another hybrid of some type. Does anyone have any data or suspicions as to what percentage of Gen3 prii end up consuming oil? I realize folks likely won't have an exact answer - I'm more interested in whether there's any consensus (from Priuschat's experts) on 10% or as high as 25% of cars have this problem before achieving 150K miles. Thanks much, Rosencrantz
My 2011 needed an oil pan gasket replacement at 5k miles. Which was covered under warranty. The dealership wanted to do it again at 40k miles, but it is an expensive repair. So I shifted to using an outside repair shop to do all my maintenance. The non-toyota mechanics say that it is one of the cleaner undercarriages of any make car that they see. Now I am up to 170k miles, I have the oil changed [synthetic only] every 10k miles, and it has never been more than a half quart low. If it is 'burning' at all it is burning less than half-quart every 10k miles.
Our 2010 with 180 k miles consumes a quart of oil every 5000 miles or so. The best thing you can do is check your dipstick regularly . I check ours every Saturday and top up as needed. A quick 5 minute activity that can save a later headache. Good luck .
read the threads on egr and intake manifold cleaning around 100k. i'd probably keep it unless you're itching for something new.
In your shoes I'd bump to 5k OCI if you want to drive it to 150000 mi or 10 years. By then your rainy day fund will be large enough to buy another in cash when oil consumption because unmanageable or insomniac.
Thanks - I have read a few of those threads and, based on info there, I was thinking I'd get the EGR circuit and intake manifold cleaned at the 120K mile major service. Hopefully, I won't have a problem with clogging before that point. I'm also considering the idea of an oil catch can - although, at 120K miles, the car would be near the end of its service life (to me).
Good point. I've thought about increasing the OCI. The last time the prius was in the shop for an oil change, I specifically asked the mechanic about a heavier weight oil. I've read about success with that on this site. The mechanic didn't seem too keen on the heavier oil.
Actually, as a result of reading Priuschat, I check the dipstick a couple times a week! That thing is hard to read when the oil is fresh.
Personally wanted to move onto heavier oil just for preemptive strike but decided not to, but don't fix what ain't broke.
Drive it into the ground! Have you checked out the '18 Prius? OMG, don't do it, otherwise you'll want it! Ha. These 3rd gens should go to 200k with very little repair. Just basic maintenance. That's the plan with mine, just bought it with 88k miles. Not even broken in! When the battery starts to fail, that's the $1k-2k repair question that will make you consider upgrading.
I have 135,000 miles on my 2010 and have no oil burning issues. I have stuck to the original 5K OCI and used only Toyota 0W20 oil and filters.
Just did a quick comparison of value of 2013 Prius Two with 80K miles on KBB. The average private sale price for "Excellent" condition is ~$11K whereas for "Fair" condition (one with some mechanical problem) is ~$9K. That's only ~$2K differences in value. If you can make another 1 year without any problem, I think you are already ahead by keeping the car. And even if it develops symptom of burning oil within a year, your cost is at most $2K. If financial aspect is the only concern, then I would keep it. If you just want to upgrade and get into a new car, then it might make sense to trade it in now to get ~$2 more for it.
Haven't checked out the Prius..... but, I have checked out the new hybrid Camry - I like it. The Prius has long been paid off and, as raytheeagle mentions, no car payments are nice.
Interesting analysis - thanks. We really like our Prius. Of the vehicles we own, we drive the Prius (by far) the most.
Drive it into the ground! Have you checked out the '18 Prius? OMG, don't do it, otherwise you'll want it! Ha.
