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Houston we have a Burner : a little upset !

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by penny, Feb 10, 2017.

  1. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    Ah, kids. I had never come close to running out of gas in my life, then my 17 y.o. step-daughter brought my 2007 Touring Prius home so out of gas that I ran out on the way to the gas station. Did not destroy the battery, but then several months later, recently, she totaled it. In the market now for a replacement.
     
  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Replacement car or daughter? (Just kidding)
    Sorry to hear about the car.
     
  3. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    lol, indeed! :) thanks
     
  4. penny

    penny Junior Member

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    Status update on Penny:

    Around 1700 miles after flash light incident and dealer ow20 oil change - was just more than half way down dipstick between full and "not full".

    Added about two thirds of a quart to get her up closer to the full level. 5w30 synthetic.

    Just bought a couple of quarts of 5W 30 Mobil 1 high mileage oil. So in it to win it I guess?!

    Wish me and Penny luck we might need it fingers crossed I will keep y'all updated. 80 miles a day so truckin along fast. Please keep questions and comments coming and still looking for a mechanic in Houston area that might check her out?!
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Have you used "high mileage" oil before? Once you do, apparently there's no going back to regular: it works by swelling seals, and if you switch back to regular oil they will shrink back worse than before. Not the end of the world, but it's kinda like getting a walker, lol.

    If you haven't used the high mileage stuff as yet, I would just try going up in weight first.
     
  6. bingee3

    bingee3 Active Member

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    What did Toyota do to the motors after the 2010s to stop major oil burning that year
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That the 2010's are worse might be urban myth, or just tied into their having more miles. Ours is at 66K km's, granted very low use, but absolutely no drop in oil level between changes, so far.
     
  8. penny

    penny Junior Member

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    Good grief this is ridiculously confusing one person says one thing and another person says another. Cancel the Amazon order of high mileage oil!!

    Kind of joking just / thanks for the tip that does make sense. One change at a time I guess
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Penny,

    Your rate of oil consumption is nothing to be significantly concerned about. Engines use oil. Different engines consume at different rates. If blue smoke is coming from your exhaust, then it's time to worry. Piston rings are not perfect seals, valves seals are not perfect. Some PCV systems get oil vapor entrained in the vent gases and it goes into the combustion cycle. Anyone who tells you otherwise may have a slight misunderstanding of internal combustion engines. The majority of manufacturers use 1 quart per 1000 miles as a point to investigate. Toyota has chosen 1 quart in 600 miles. Do I think I know more than Toyota does about their engine? Heck no.... If nothing is dripping under the car, then the oil is being lost in the combustion process. No big deal. If spark plugs are not fouling, and the engine is running fine, then it's nothing to be worried about. Make it a habit to check your oil every time you fill the gas tank. If you get to the bottom mark, (or where you're comfortable) add a quart. There are range marks for a reason. The engine will run fine at the low mark. Heck, I've seen them run fine with no oil on the dipstick, but that is strongly not advised.

    Don't let the fear of a bit of oil burning scare you into getting rid of your car. Don't let yourself become a dealers dream customer, and don't let anyone convince you your car has a serious problem.
     
    #69 TMR-JWAP, Feb 25, 2017
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2017
    Merkey likes this.
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Minor comment: the 2 marks on 3rd gen Prius represent 1.5 quarts, or 1.2 litres, IIRC.
     
    Bay Stater likes this.
  11. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    I call BS on this. Do you have any evidence to back it up? This sounds just like the old myth that you can't go back from synth to mineral oil.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just going by what I've read. Google "how does high mileage oil work" for example. This video in particular mighta been one that stuck with me:

     
    #72 Mendel Leisk, Feb 26, 2017
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2017
  13. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    No, 1.6 and 1.5, respectively. (To be more exact, 1 US quart is about 0.946 liter.)
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  14. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Great commentary. Had he could cut the music out so we could hear him, it would have been even better.........