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Should i go to higher viscosity oil?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Jim Caldwell, Oct 10, 2020.

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  1. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    yet modernly .... they're going even thinner !
    [​IMG]
    Sure, part of this is due to carb regulations, but part of it also is that Machining technology has greatly improved. That means tolerances can be very very tight, necessitating the lighter viscosity. Ie 2 rationals for watery thin

    .
     
    #21 hill, Oct 11, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2020
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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Is this ever-thinner oil similar to low tension piston rings: earns the car manufacturer high mpg accolades, and the purchaser picks up the tab with the engine failures?
     
    #22 Mendel Leisk, Oct 11, 2020
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  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Just put 80W90 gear lube in it, that will stop the oil burning... :whistle:
     
    #23 ASRDogman, Oct 11, 2020
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  4. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    I know its satire, but do not put gear oil in any part of an ICE. The composition is such it will be worse than any other motor oil you might possibly use. YMMV
     
    #24 gliderman, Oct 11, 2020
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  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    OH MY GOSH! IT WAS A JOKE!
    Toyota, in America says 0w20. So anything else will destroy the engine!!!!!!
    PANIC EVERY PANIC!!!! :eek::eek::(:(:confused::confused::barefoot::barefoot::cry::cry::coffee::coffee::coffee::coffee::coffee:
     
    #25 ASRDogman, Oct 12, 2020
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  6. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Ahh!!!! The oil apocalypse is here, run!!!!

    I get the same type of responses so I’ve been in those shoes.
     
    #26 Grit, Oct 12, 2020
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  7. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    One litre is about a quart, is that correct?
    One quart in 6000 miles doesn't seems so bad to me.

    The 0 in 0-20 represent cold oil viscosity.
    Something to consider concerning the start stop functions.

    I don't think going to 0-30 or 0-40 will reduce that oil usage in any large amount.
    Therefore, personally I would remain the Toyota's specs/ suggestion chart.
    Yet I don't think a change to 0-30 would cause any harm.
    And again personally I would definitely not change to a 20-50.

    Good luck in you decision.
     
    #27 Kenny94945, Oct 12, 2020
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  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    About 1.06qts in a liter
    About 0.95 liters in a quart...
     
    #28 ASRDogman, Oct 12, 2020
  9. Attila Fekete

    Attila Fekete Member

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    As far as I know the to fill an empty engine needs less than 4 quart of oil. So missing ~25% sounds significant to me.
    But if it’s between the max and min sign of the oil stick, then it’s acceptable.
     
    #29 Attila Fekete, Oct 12, 2020
  10. SB6

    SB6 Member

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    To be exact, the car takes 4.4 US quarts, or 3.7 imperial quarts, with an oil & filter change. Here's what the repair manual states:

    Page 4043 of 7595 in the 2010 Toyota Prius repair manual
     
    #30 SB6, Oct 12, 2020
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2020
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  11. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    All these specifications, which are listed in everyone's owner's manual, are nice to know, and I commend everyone who took the time to look up and quote these. But didn't the original problem result from the OP not checking his dipstick over time? I'm going with "read the dipstick."
     
    #31 pjksr02, Oct 12, 2020
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  12. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Agree. There are many posts stating “a rod blew through the engine” of without saying “I don’t check oil levels often or at all.” They blame it on the engine and how crappy it is.
     
    #32 Grit, Oct 12, 2020
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