Oil Consumption. 5W-40 ok?

main thing is, if it works for YOU, just use it//

 

I am using 5W-30. I have consumption at a quart every 6500 miles. Did some other things to help fuel economy and oil drink, but a thicker oil will help.

 

Why does the 2010 year Prius, seem to burn so much oil??? I keep seeing threads about 2010 cars.

 

I believe European car manuals say you can use thicker oil, rather then 0W-20 oil. Have you checked your manual? 0W-20 will give you the best MPG, but for motor protection a 30 or 40 weight oil will be better. See if you can fine a 0W-40 weight oil, as this will give you better protection on cold starts.

 

mobil1 0-w40

 

One reason could be the production run as the sample size is bigger ( more Prii made). Another could be how they are used and maintained. @Rebound in another thread had a good point. When these were being sold, gas prices were high, leading to large fleet purchasing. With some drivers having the opinion "not my car" they can get mistreated. Now they are sold on the used market.

Or an owner will just neglect to check certain items (like the dipstick), then get the warning light for low oil level, the sump goes dry and the problem is now severe.

While I have some oil consumption, if I was at a 5k oil change I wouldn't notice. That is another factor. Toyota started this at 10k intervals, so I kept it.

So many reasons, but easy to keep a small problem from becoming large by simple weekend checks.

 

READ THE Fahrvergnügen Manual!

Prius owners manual's for non-USA Prius actually shows an ambient temperature chart and a corresponding multigrade oil weight. Below is a page from a UK 2012 Prius Owners Manual.


It sees you do not understand what the viscosity numbers for oil mean. READ this, you will become enlightened.
Motor Oil Viscosity Grades Explained in Layman's Terms

+1

 

Slightly thicker oil is a good way to address more oil use, so long as the oil is still compatible with your climate. As you've mixed 0W-20 and 5W-40 oil, the viscosity of your oil now is probably around a 5W-30 oil, which shouldn't be a problem in Germany (Siberia/Alaska would be another matter...). You'll pay for it with slightly worsened fuel economy (In the 1-2% range), but it's likely worth it with the reduced oil use. You could try a 5W-30 on your next oil change if you're comfortable with your oil usage, and I would think the oil use would be about the same as your current oil. Otherwise 5W-40 shouldn't be a problem either. Per exstudent's post, even a 10W-30 or 10W-40 should be okay down to about -18 C (about the coldest it can get in most places in Germany, if my memory is correct).

 

Mostly the same as UFO sightings, anything can gain momentum.

 

Well, I hope my 2016 is not going to start burning oil in 4 or 5 years. Did I also see threads on here from 2012 owners? And 2014 owners? Their Prii was using a quart of oil.

I've never had to add oil to any of the cars I owned in the past. (VW, Nissan, Honda, and my Camry.)
If my Gen4 starts burning oil someday, you'll find it floating along the coast! Adios Prius!

 

If it does happen, will it go off the bridge that was your avatar awhile back? I guess the mice won't get it floating out to see either.

Or you could let us high mileage travelers know and we'll keep her going.

I'll would have to get used to the Star Wars storm trooper white accents. Not my favorite thing about the interior. But mpg north of 60 would be fantastic!

 

Ray, I have something WORSE than white accents... Harvest Beige cloth interior!

 

ZOOM!!! Right off the end of the pier!

 

All while quietly doing 83 mpg!!!

 

I will never see 83 mpg again in my lifetime!

Something weird happened that day. All the stars and the planets and the moons must of lined up just perfectly…

 

At least you got a pic of the performance.

I was at the bowling alley a couple of weeks ago with my son and I actually bowled a 200( usually it is a stretch to get to 140). When I told the wife she asked for proof. I forgot to snap a shot of the overhead screen.

This was a Sunday, so maybe the same day of your weird occurrence. Must be a California thing.

 

just broken in/
now the fun begins/