Metallic flakes in engine oil after WOT!

understood. all the best!

 

If you're using synthetic oil there is no need to change the oil based on time, just miles, and even then it lasts far longer than most people think. Synthetic doesn't break down like dino. If you do an oil analysis you'll find that changing it in intervals greater than 10k miles will still come back fine for continued use. Of coarse if you drive in dusty conditions then you need to change more often and use a high quality filter.

 

To each his own, but I'll stick to the specified schedule, distance or time, whichever comes first. FWIW, I don't believe you can find a non-synthetic 0W-20.

 

Nothing wrong with changing your oil more often. There are other factors involved besides the oil breaking down. You've got dirt to consider and the additives don't last nearly as long as the oil does.

 

Yeah, I'd much rather err on conservative side. And my all Toyota DIY changes cost under $30: Toyota 0W-20 sells from dealership for $5.63 (CAN) per litre.

 

OK, i'll bite. so, why exactly toyota asks the owners to change the SYNTHETIC 0w20 at least every 12 months (6 months in canada)?

also, if synthetic oils are so perfect (in your opinion), why do they shear out of grade at the end of OCI?
2012 Toyota Prius 1.8L Hybrid| 30k 0w20 syn | Used Oil Analysis - Gasoline | Bob Is The Oil Guy

 

Besides oil breakdown from normal operation there are other factors which can make it inoperable and desirable to change. Moisture and uncombursted gasoline will accumulate in oil and dilute it. Normally water condensate will evaporate when oil reaches operating temperature and stays hot long enough to get rid of water and gas diluents. So if you drive rarely but for 1hr+ a time this is not an issue. However if you drive daily but your drives are <15min, oil will be diluted and will not protect engine.

 

There's not really anything wrong with a 10K OCI, provided (!!) that you're one of the very few people who actually check their oil, and also given a sufficient sump volume.
Unfortunately, Priuses have a pretty small oil supply and very few people check their oil level....Including those who change the oil.
Oh...EVERYBODY checks the oil after it's been changed...but how many people out there check the stick beforehand??
The reason that Priuses start drinking and smoking before they're ten years old is the same as it's always been:
Their owners aren't paying enough attention to them.
The really interesting part is that Priuses will operate for an amazing amount of time even with engines that use 1-2q between oil changes, so I wouldn't worry about a lubrication issue with the motor unless one of two things happen:
1. Oil use is excessive.....like, almost what the manual calls excessive oil use.
2. Fuel efficiency is dramatically affected.

People who make cars for a living design them for a specific life cycle---probably something like 10y/250,000 miles....which Priuses will almost always achieve without a major repair, provided the maintenance schedule is followed.

So.....how much oil are you actually using, and what's your real-world efficiency??

 

Whether you're doing it yourself or paying a dealership, IMO Oil Changes aren't that expensive. Given the importance and investment most vehicles represent? I feel no need- synthetic or otherwise to- extend or push my oil change interval.

To me that means while I'm running the recommended grade and synthetic oil, I'm NOT going more than 10 months or 10,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Of course I remember the old dino oil dominated days when "Rippy Offy Lubes" were recommending changing the oils every 3 months or 3000 miles, so even with this conservative schedule it seems like an eternity.

 

Why do people keep repeating that claim? It's no excuse to run an engine out of oil. Yes, the oil capacity is smaller than many larger automotive engines, but not proportionately. It's similar to or larger than the capacity of other 4-cylinder engines I've known. I've owned two cars with smaller oil capacity, and one with a bit larger capacity, and that was a much larger engine of much much older design---and far higher oil consumption, even when new. I never ran any of the three out of oil.

 

In science they call that a consensus.

I'm not suggesting that the people in Aichi could have possibly made a mistake with the world's most perfect car, but it would seem that it might be prudent to put a larger sump in a small motor with a 10k OCI.

Put another way, I can take 3q out of my 4.2l motor and drive it for 1,000 miles without significantly altering my vehicle's lifespan.

It's like all of the goofy arguments that you hear about sedans being 'small' while the same size hatchback is considered to be 'midsize."

Sometimes?
Small is small.
You're right about one thing though, there's no excuse in letting a car go low out of spec for oil - even if your oil pressure gauge is broken (or missing.)

Good Luck!