299,999+ Mile Club

The only thing I can think to complain about is the cloth arm rest center console, which over time from the sweat of my arm, well u know how that turned out to be. Solution went to shoe maker brought a piece of black leather for 10 which he installed for 10 total cost 20.

 

Update: 451353 In regards to Lucas HD. Does it work. For me NO(Maybe)(I dont know). Oil change with 12 oz of Lucas took me to about 1300 down from about 1900. I mixed 4 oz Lucas with 8oz total 12oz, took me to about 2000. Here is where it gets strange. Put 6 oz mobil no lucas and I drive about 900 miles. I tell my son I guess it (Lucas) is working. I put 6oz in drive about 350 get gas check oil and I need to put another 6 oz back in. Then the next day I make it back home 600 miles, without refill. Now I go to check and I need to refill again. Bottom line is this I drove about 4565 using a total of 5 quarts. This includes the oil change plus refills plus Lucas (16oz). Which is no difference than without the Lucas. ONly strange thing is one day I use 12 oz, the next day I use nothing. I am going to give it one more try, because I have 16oz left over. I will use royal purple this time. And again I will keep u posted.

 

Hi Too Fast,

Your doing a great job of keeping your car going for an amazing number of miles. As you know, letting the oil get too low is one of the quickest ways to kill an engine. I hope all these driving miles are not taking a toll on you.

I can't explain the inconsistent oil use. However, I do have a theory on why the heavy Lucas oil treatment is not working. But first, how do engines use oil?

1) "Normal" engines have intake manifold vacuum that is exposed to the cylinder during the intake stroke. This tries to pull oil down the valve guides and fights the piston rings efforts to scrape it off the cylinder wall. The Atkinson version of the Miller cycle engine in the Prius has no intake vacuum so this does not cause oil consumption in the Prius.

2) The connection rod connection at the crankshaft throws oil onto the cylinder walls that the rings have to scrape back down into the pan. This actually lubricates the cylinder walls and pistion in the ring quantity. As the bearings wear the bearing clearance increases. If the clearance doubles the quantity of oil thrown off the connecting rod increases by something like four times. That means there is a lot more oil for the rings to scrape off. Thicker oil can mean less oil thrown onto the cylinder walls and can reduce consumption. I suspect this is not the case with your car.

3) The piston rings become worn and are not able to scrape the oil off the cylinder walls as effectively and more oil is burned in the combustion process. Thicker oil leaves a thicker film on the cylinder wall than thin oil, the rings are not scraping well and more oil is left on the cylinder walls and more oil is burned. I suspect this is the case in you car.

4) The cylinders and the pistons wear. The cylinders get bigger and the rings can't compensate for the increased diameter. And the pistons wear allowing the pistons to rock a little in the cylinders so that the rings are not always perpendicular to the walls. This rounds the edges of the rings and makes them less effective. And the piston ring grooves get bigger allowing oil to be pumped around the rings. All of these things could be happening to your Prius. Only the piston ring groove oil pumping might be reduced by thicker oil, the others are probably made worse.

I would stay away from the thicker oils. The burning of the oil causes increased carbon / sludge than can gum up the rings and make the consumption even worse. One quart every 1000 miles is not that bad, but it does indicate wear. This is totally consistent with 450k miles on the engine. Nothing lasts forever, but you're closer to forever than most of us will ever get.

Take Care, Dan

 

I can't explain the inconsistent oil use. However, I do have a theory on why the heavy Lucas oil treatment is not working. But first, how do engines use oil?

Lets see if I can explain a little easier. Prior to using Lucas my oil consumption was basically the same. When I used it my oil consumption has fluctuated, so regardless If i add or not I still have to check. After posting my last post, I went almost 600 on about 6oz which is usually what I use at 300 or so, and I could have gone maybe another 100 or so. So to say it is working or not or to even recommend someone use it, im not that satisfied, as of yet with the results, although there is definitely a great improvement, since using it(Lucas). Bottom line is this if the Lucas is working I dont like the inconsistency of it. Like i said before I have 16 oz left over i will use it when i change my oil.

 

UPDATE: Not enough. I am a happy, very happy person. My prius has finally brought a smile to my face. I have been contemplating Hids for a long time. I went to a car show in ft lauderdale and I saw some Hids( bestHids ) for $75 6000k plug and play. Nothing but joy and smiles at least for a couple of nights, till it wares off. If they should happen to go bad just unplug and put the old bulbs in. I took out the headlights ( took about 5 minutes ) put the balast under the headlight and pluggled them in. My only concern is how long will they last. For $20 more I could of had the high beams Hid, but I opted for the regular high beams with Hid low. I did not have to adjust the headlights they were fine as the were.

 

In regards again to the lucas, if anyone really cares, in the beginning the results were very inconsistent(not the same everyday) however the end result was about a 1000 miles extra than what I previously was getting. I was going to change just the filter, and loosened the oil bolt, when I realized it, it was to late so i just changed the oil. I added 12 oz of the LUCAS to see if the results would be the same. I will let u guys know.

 

If you can find the right combination of Lucas, Mobil1/Royal Purple, and leaning just right when you add it, that would be very valuable information. I know a couple people here locally that are also in the add > 1 quart between oil changes camp.

Are you planning to take a look at the Prius c when it comes out in a couple months? Looking like a 55 MPG rating.

 

I just bought a 2011 prius 2. How did you put that mileage on a 2010/ Wondering and hoping mine will last as long. Ihad a 96 camry with 220700 I used as a trade in.

 

He is a medical supply courrier. Puts on 800 miles a day. So far he's replaced a hatch back piston, water pump, combination meter (dash board circuit that controls the lighted speedometer), gas cap, 2 sets of headlights, and 3 pvc valves. I believe that's all. Original everything else, including batteries and brakes. UNHEARD OF! Hope my '09 lasts HALF that long!

 

I thought he just had the combination meter repaired by pEEf instead of having it replaced.

 

UPDATE: 457315 Medical correct, 605 a day, both hatch arms replaced, water pump still original, combination correct, headlights original did change about 6 bulbs however i now have 6000k hids plug and play, gas cap original, 3 pvc along with 3 sets of spark plugs replaced, also inverter fluid original. BOTH BATTERIES still original. P.S. almost traded her in for the prius v, I saw a black, 3 model with black cloth interior for I believe 27500 it was tough. Did not want to take a 10 mpg hit, I will try to take one for a test drive on the highway, if i could get 45mpg i might pull the trigger. AS of now I will try for 500000.

 

Thank you for the corrections! Not sure where I got the water pump from. Must have been another super-miler! I went through all your posts to tally up what you've replaced! Missed the spark plugs, but I suppose that's a typical "wear" part anyways. As I said before, you are my hero!

 

If you don't need the room, just go for a regular Prius. It's cheaper and has better mileage. Over in my neck of the woods, I was having lunch today at a sandwich place right next to Toyota Sunnyvale's overflow lot. It looks like they have probably 3 dozen new '11 Priuses sitting there.

Toyota Sunnyvale was offering '11 Prius Twos for $21,688, including destination charge but now the $1K incentive for Nor Cal (included in that) I believe is gone. A dealer in Santa Rosa had a Three for $22,267 (after incentive) and my friend who pulled the trigger a week ago got another dealer to beat that, by a little... There were deals to be had on '11 Priuses.

 

This thread is amazing! Go 2 fas 4 u!!!!!!!

 

As much as I appreciate u guys, my initial intentions was not this, however u guys are making it hard for me, I want a prius V, I dont need it, I want it or maybe even a 2011 prius. Everytime u guys congratulate or say nice things it makes me feel like I should keep my 2009 Prius. Anyway I thank u guys and I will make a promise although it will be very hard. I will go to 500000 thats it no more, no mas, finito. UPDATE: 458000

 

Half a million is a very worthy goal.:cheer2: Maybe by then the C will be available for consideration.

 

Can we ask you some pics of the odo once in a while?
WE thank you for your regular contribution!

 

I think that car should be auctioned off to a museum once you retire her!

 

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