299,999+ Mile Club

when you consider the prius is only a 3 quart system, thats pretty bad, but not for the mileage....

maybe change to Shell Rotella 5w30 which is a very thick oil meant for cars that burn oil and/or have valve seal issues.

 

Hey it's only a 3 quart system if you choose to put just 3 quarts in it. The official capacity is 3.9 though most people find that about 3.7 quarts get it to about the top mark on the dipstick. Personally I think its wrong to refill with less than 3.5 quarts (for a full drain + filter).

 

oopsie..gotta go put another half quart in

 

Yes realistically it doesn't matter too much if you're engine's not consuming any oil, but certainly if you were using 0.75 quart per 1000 mile it would be wise to fill it properly.

The problem is that we don't really know for certain when our engines might start getting some kind of increased oil consumption.

 

I'm at 82k...I think I'm relatively safe FOR NOW

but I'll monitor just in case... my 95 Acura Legend with 160k burns next to nothing.

 

At exchange I put in new oil until 3/4rths of the way between the low and high marks on the dipstick. I rechecked the dipstick a couple of weeks after the exchange and found oil only went up to the 50% mark. Since then the oil level has stayed constant over about a month, which I take to mean there was no actual increased consumption, but was (for lack of a better word) settling in the system. I don't think this is a case of measuring the oil at different engine temperatures.

 

Ok just let me clarify that. You're saying that at each oil change you refill the oil so that (before starting engine) it's about at the 3/4th point on the dipstick. But then after you run the engine (even for just a minute or two), then letting it settle and rechecking, it's back to about midway.

Yes this is normal Sagebrush. I've noticed this happen to some extent on all cars that I've owned. It's mainly due to changing the filter as it leaves some air spaces, mostly in the filter but also in some oil passages. I've noticed that this effect can be reduced by pre-filling the filter as much as possible though even that may not totally eliminate it (but can make it much less noticeable). That's how it should be done, pour in approx the correct quantity, holding back a little bit so you don't overfill, then run the engine for a minute to let the oil circulate and fill all passages. Then after letting it settle for a while you can get a true reading of the oil level on the dipstick and make any final adjustments. I'm usually aiming for something close to the top level on the dipstick, while still staying just under rather than just over.

 

Thanks for the reassurance Uart. I do pour oil into the new filter before installation, but I do not try to fill it to the top to avoid a mess. Next time I'll fill up closer to the 'full' mark on the dipstick like you do, and hope that the level settles down to about 3/4rths.

Either way, the oil level will be checked every month or two. 3.5 quarts +/- 0.25 is just not enough leeway to ignore the oil level for six months until the next exchange.

 

UPDATE: 370000 Completed another 600 miles at a total of 1200 miles. The weather was slightly better than the other day. Cannot come to a conclusion of yes or no. I managed to get 48.5 mpg. Does car feel stronger I would say yes is it enough to make me buy again I say no. As far as mileage increase, due to weather cant say however If I were to buy again I would have to at least pull off 51 mpg for it to be worth it. As far as Oil Consumption, It definetly can be a winner in this area, I burned a little however I wont know for sure until I reach my level of refill. Im still above the half way point. With mobil around 2500-3000 should be my approx refill. Will keep u posted.

 

Ive used lots of different brands, the last couple hundred thousand miles ive been using napa (valvoline)5w30 or 10w30. Ive read that its normal for a car to burn upto a quart of oil per thousand miles without too much worry. I will be concerned when im burning more than the 1 quart per thousand.

Just FYI, I have an 07 kia optima with over 200,000, doesnt burn any oil, and a 1995 suburban with over 220,000 miles also doesnt burn any oil.

 

you should also try Shell Rotella 5w30 and report back next oil change. I guarantee your car will burn less oil (how much less TBD).

And btw an engine at 200k can react and act MUCH differently than that same engine with over 300k. Both of those vehicles may not burn oil until they hit 300k. I'm surprised you have a suburban with 200k. How many trannies has it gone through?

 

Update: 373100. Results are based on 89 gas. Completed 4300 miles. 1. As far as mpg increase cannot say. If there is its not noticeable. 2. As far as power increase I say yes car is definitely responsive than before. 3. As far as oil consumption compared to approx 20 ounces at 5000 with Mobil 1, with royal purple im at 4300 just using only 12 ounces, and I am at the halfway mark. Conclusion is this worth an extra 10 dollars for 5000 or 15 for 10000 considering I would have to buy an extra quart and split between 2 oil changes. I would say yes. I like the way it performed.

 

UPDATE: 379080 Did a battery check 12.4 still looking good, still getting green bars.

 

Thanks for the update. Looks like you can definitely make over 400k miles.

BTW. How's the RP working out for you in terms of oil consumption and fuel efficiency?

 

GO MAN GO!!!! don't sell until after you hit 400k! (if I have the cash atm, I might take it off your hands just to say I own a prius with 400k)

 

400k ?!
pfft.

The man is going to own the first ONE MILLION MILE Prius. And if he is lucky Toyota will buy the car from him, or he can enter the Smithsonian

Cheering aside, every additional working day that 2fas4u keeps this car is another ~ $30 in his pocket. Crazy to not take advantage of the car while it is running well.

 

I think 2 fast 4 u said previously that he planned to sell it at around 400 or 500k....I'd like it kept in the family and if nothing else, I'll try to get it to 1 million miles but it will take awhile

 

Yes, but that was before fame and fortune came calling