Hybrid System / Oil Consumption

The motor that does the job of the starter is more powerful. It spins the engine up to 1000 rpm or so, before firing the spark plugs. The start ups are much gentler than you see in an ICE car. There isn't that harsh jolt, which could mean extra wear.

The major case of oil consumption in past models was linked to defective piston rings. Any potential consumption in future cars will be because of something that could happen in any engine, regardless of the presence of a hybrid system.

 

I'd say it depends on how pressing your car needs are. Toyota reliability is tops, and they've been making the Prius for over 25 years now, but even they aren't immune to first year issues. So waiting if you can won't hurt; maybe dealer up marking will also calm down in that time. The flipside in the case of the Prius is that Toyota isn't planning on making many. Looks like you should be prepared for a wait after ordering.

 

My Avalon hybrid is 10 years old and has 130,000 miles on it and does not burn any oil.

What will make these cars burn oil is not changing the oil and filter on time with the type of oil and filter Toyota recommends.

 

Yep. Even the so-called* defective piston rings on the 2010 and 2011 models don't burn oil if maintained properly(6mo/5k mi oil changes with the good stuff - maybe an oil detergent every 50k). Stay on top of the maintenance and almost every Toyota/Lexus will treat you right.


*They weren't actually defective(which implies the parts failed to match the specifications). The specs were written when the service interval was still 6mo/5k. It was Toyota marketing that pushed the service interval to 12mo/10k about halfway through the 2010 model year. That brought the safety margin down too low when combined with typical Americans often stretching that 12mo/10k to 13-16mo and 11k-15k. And/or shopping for the cheapest oil they could find. Keep the rings free of sludge and the battery vent/fan clean of debris, and the 2010 and 2011 models are just as reliable as the rest of the run.

 

Exactly!

My service manual says that if I drove only long distance trips, in the summer or tropical climate, with a light load (no towing, etc.) on flat highways then I could change the oil every 10,000 miles or 12 months (whichever came first). If I drove in those conditions I'd consider the yearly oil change. (Or if I were rich and changed out my car every three years and didn't care what shape the car would be in for the next owner.)

But seeing how I'm a normal driver that planes to keep my car for a long time uses it to go to work, the store, school to pick up kids, sometimes load the car down with stuff (even a trailer at times), I have a few mountains and hills around, and I also like being able to drive a nice warm vehicle in the middle of winter, Toyota's own manual specifically says that for driving in any of these situations I should change the oil at least every 6 months or 5,000 miles (whichever comes first). So far 5,000 mile oil changes (usually three or four times a year) has worked out just fine!

I can't say the same about the used Prius I got that obviously had yearly oil changes and now chugs oil because the cylinders are all galled up and the block needs replacing.

 

some believe the temp variation due to on/off causes head gasket failure in gen 3

 

And just after we talked about this again, here comes AMD The Car Care Nut with another video of a Toyota engine block destroyed by improper oil maintenance. In this case it was religious 6mo/5k changes but with oil of questionable quality. (early 2AR-FE from a 2009 RAV4)

Just remember that these issues are somewhat reversable if you catch them before you start burning oil. You've got until about 75k-100k to fix things. Go to a dealership or shop to run one of the powerful oil detergents through(if you were doing 12mo/10k changes). Then get extremely religious about 6mo/5k and get really good oil that includes great detergent additives. That should clear up the oiling rings before they get completely gunked up.