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Oil consumption check

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 05PreeUs, Mar 19, 2018.

  1. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    After reading many threads on excessive oil consumption, I decided to check the consumption on our '05 with 194k on the clock and decent records per carfax.

    Oil changes have been close to every 5k, standard oil and filters, nothing exotic and rarely by a dealer. Since we purchased used, from the original owner, we know it was cared for but not every change was documented (there are a number of lapses over 12k miles).

    Our son has been driving the car mostly, he's a teenager and likely drives accordingly. He says he checks the oil periodically, but you just never know. This past weekend I drove it for the first time in a couple weeks and had the opportunity to check oil per the OM (fully warmed up, level ground, engine off for a few minutes). It was down maybe 0.2qts from the MAX line.

    This vehicle has never logged a p0420 (CAT efficiency) DTC and typically gets 50+ MPG at 60 MPH.

    Just as a goalpost, it would seem that one does not need to "strictly adhere to" the suggest 5,000 mile oil change intervals and a lapse or two most likely won't hurt them, but ignored maintenance multiple times can potentially cause trouble.

    << EDIT: Clarification: the last OC was about 190k >>
     
    #1 05PreeUs, Mar 19, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2018
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you would have to check the level after changing or topping up, then after 5,000 miles for comparison and oil usage calculation.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I find this check method pretty bullet-proof:

    1. At oil/filter change, let the oil drain thoroughly.
    2. Refill with the spec'd amount, carefully measured. Don't second-guess the amount, based on initial dipstick reading, even after a short run. Just pouring in measured amount, and then checking a day or two later, I'll find the level at or just below the top mark on dipstick.
    3. Over the next few months, if there's a need to top up, add carefully measured quantity, and log it.
    4. At next oil/filter change, let the oil drain thorougly, and collect it in a container with with clear gradations on the side, and check how much drained, with the container on level floor. Subtract any interim amounts you might have added.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Mar 19, 2018
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2018
  4. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Since it was "full" after the last change, waiting 4000 miles is more than good enough to know.....
     
    dolj and bisco like this.
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I think it is a mitigation by Toyota for sloppy owners who constantly run 2-5,000 mi over their OCI. Extending the OCI to every 3000 mi, which some independents do, is just corporate greed and unnecessary.

    15,000 km/12 months (metric 10,000 mi) is the factory recommend OCI and service interval in this neck of the woods and one I follow religiously (although these days I'm lucky to put 12,000 km (~7500 mi) on in a year), using good quality oil and the factory filter, which I do myself.

    At 171,000 km I loose maybe 200 ml per year which I consider, to all intents and purposes, burns no oil.
     
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  6. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Hmm, the 2005 OM I have states OCI is 5k or 6 months, whichever comes first. I know the RAV-4 is 10k/12m for OCI, and 5k/6mo for inspections.

    TOYOTA does not recommend or suggest SHORTER intervals, the STEALerships might and most "grease monkey garages" certainly do. To which I say "I'm from Missouri, show me in the book where it says I should do that!" and watch the crawfishing begin in earnest ;)
     
  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Yes, I was aware of that, but most other jurisdictions (UK, Europe, Aust, NZ) specify 10,000 mi/15,000 km, so was just postulating why that is. Unless product is inferior. I know for sure the cheap oil filter available in the US is a lower quality one than the one I use, but that also might be because it only has to do the job for 5,000 mi.

    Anyway it was really just an observational comment on the difference, with a slight hint of, I wonder why that is?.
     
  8. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Oil filter quality is not really a factor, as long as it does the job.

    What KILLS engines is bad maintenance habits: repetitive extended drains, abusive driving, skipped drains and general carelessness. In some cases, technician error (we have purchased TWO used vehicles where the air filters were incorrectly installed such that they effectively did not filter anything. Fortunately, both were caught before damage was done, but that was pure luck.
     
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  9. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    It might be 'teen driver syndrome'. :D

    You mentioned that your teenager drives the car. I noticed that oil consumption went up on our 2010 when my daughter started driving it. She has a 'lead foot' (verified by my 'spy'..our son). Coincidence? Maybe..but I think not. Now that she is in college and I am driving it more...consumption is lower again!
     
  10. oil_burner

    oil_burner Active Member

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    I don't see a correlation to oil change frequency and oil consumption. Previous owner changed the oil every 5000 miles and used synthetic after oil change #3, perfect records all neatly kept but that didn't stop the car from starting to consume oil at 180k.

    I use about 1qt every 1000 miles with 250k on the clock. Keeping it topped up is still cheaper than buying a new car.
     
  11. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    There are no guarantees in life.

    Avoided maintenance and/or sub-par lubricants are the fastest way to premature oil consumption after removing the air filter.
     
  12. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    I assume by putting "full" in quotes you realize that it really could miss full by a half quart either way when it is changed and you would never know ??

    With a vehicle that old and that many miles, I would certainly want to check it way more often than 4000 miles. The loss/usage could take a sudden spike somewhere along the line.
     
  13. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Right..... like I don't know how to check oil :whistle:
     
  14. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    The question is not "how"......but WHEN.