1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Why do Toyota engines consume oil ? And how to prevent it?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Georgina Rudkus, Jan 15, 2021.

  1. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two

     
    Bk7king and jerrymildred like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    easy, don't buy a toyota
     
  3. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Worst. But a Fiat Chrysler or a 3-4 cylinder Ford Eco-Boost with an internal oil bathed rubber timing belt.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,480
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Weird thing is, I’ve got zero consumption at 90k kms. All our previous Hondas has minor consumption; I thought that was the norm.

    Per the video, I am following the Toyota Canada 3rd gen spec for oil change: 6 mo or 8k kms (5k miles). And it’s always months these days...

    For 4th gen they’re in lockstep with Toyota USA.
     
    kithmo and mikey_t like this.
  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,041
    7,580
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If a car used absolutely no oil, I'd be concerned.

    We've had a number of TOYOTAs - no oil use - might drop a little on the dipstick between changes - but never had to add oil.

    Unlike some other cars we had - MITSUBISHI (had 3) was the worst, VW (2) not much better.
     
    Pulse07 and Mendel Leisk like this.
  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I've always changed my oil more often than called for. I've never had an oil burner.

    Edit to add that I'll be changing my wife's Prius Monday, most likely. Her Maintenance Required message just started blinking. She has now had the car for almost 5,000 miles.
     
    #6 jerrymildred, Jan 16, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2021
    alanclarkeau and krmcg like this.
  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,041
    7,580
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I just remembered another car which burned oil - VOLVO 244. But then, I bought it 20 years old with 350,000kms.
     
    amos and jerrymildred like this.
  8. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,606
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Our 2 Tesla's burned very little oil

    .
     
  9. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2018
    3,096
    2,163
    0
    Location:
    Taylors, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Sometimes, the whole car burns.:eek:
     
    amos, Elt31987, hill and 1 other person like this.
  10. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2010
    2,168
    764
    0
    Location:
    Portugal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Couldn't find a reference to "our" 2ZR engines. Did I miss it?
     
  11. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,606
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    yep sometimes .... unlike safe, renewable, non-toxix, gasoline burners.

    .
     
  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,478
    4,375
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Our higher mileage gen3 engines burn oil due to a design error. As do earlier 2006 through 2011 standard engines, most commonly Camrys. Some say it was an ill conceived strategy to increase mpg through changes in the piston rings.

    My 2012 v did not burn oil until well past 100,000 miles (160,000 km for Canadians) and the factory "recall" level of one quart every 1200 miles was not met until more recently, probably around 200,000 miles (320,000 km). So I place little credence on a car's resilience when they are under 150,000 miles.

    In my case, it was full synthetic changed more often than specified. However our Central Texas roads are usually 70 mph two lanes, 80 mph freeways and 85 mph (legal) tollway speeds, all with ac humming.

    The best thing to do is change the oil every 5k miles and keep the engine loading lower by avoiding >70 mph for extended periods.
     
    #12 rjparker, Mar 8, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2021