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Switch to Full syntetic oil ?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by abdullah arslan, Nov 20, 2019.

?
  1. 0w20

    41.7%
  2. 0w20 high mileage

    25.0%
  3. 0w30

    16.7%
  4. other

    16.7%
  1. abdullah arslan

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    I'm new to here and also a new prius owner,

    I got a 2010 high mileage one on 234k. For the first oil change, I used Mobil 1 full synthetic (high mileage) 0w20, and so far topped of about 1 qt due to oil burning within 3k miles. by the way, I did not change filter, will change on next time. I drive more on highways between north indiana to chicago. So my options for the next one are:
    1- switch to Mobil 1 full synthetic 0w20
    2- keep Mobil 1 full synthetic (high mileage) 0w20
    3- switch to Mobil 1 full synthetic 0w30 (due to high way drive)

    And I m not totally sure but this is observation so far, the car burns oil when the weather is so rainy/snowy and windy.
    Thanks for the suggestions, I read some discussions but still want to ask you
     
  2. Siward

    Siward Active Member

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    I have a 2012 Prius at 110k miles. I have switched between various grades, synthetic/conventional and brands. I still don't need to top up between oil changes. I follow the Canadian oil change interval which is 8000km.

    1) Mobil 1 0w20 Synthetic (last 3 winters)
    2) Quaker State 5w20 Sythetic (used 1 bottle one spring)
    3) Valvoline 5w20 (used a couple of bottles during the last few summers)
    4) Quaker state Advanced Durability 5w20 (used a few bottles during the spring/summer/fall)
    5) Pennzoil 5w30 (I put in three or 4 bottles of this too in the summer).

    Right now I am back to using Mobil 1 0w20 Synthetic with the green cap for the upcoming winter. I simply ran the higher viscosity oil during the hotter seasons. I only used the other oil grades because it was left over from my previously stolen car. I had to use up my oil stockpiles.

    In my opinion, the difference is marginal. The recommendation is to stay within the recommended viscosity on the oil cap which is 0w20, but I guess you can try other stuff too. My other car (non-Prius) burns oil, but I find it burns less if I simply change at shorter intervals.
     
    #2 Siward, Nov 20, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2019
    abdullah arslan likes this.
  3. anonymous

    anonymous Member

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    I always use high mileage oil because it's the same price as the regular one.

    I'm not sure if higher viscosities will reduce oil consumption but I once tried conventional 5w-30 and couldn't tell a difference.
     
  4. Attila Fekete

    Attila Fekete Member

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    My opinion is that using higher viscosity oil may decrease the oil consumption, but doesn’t resolve the source of the problem.
     
    CR94 likes this.
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Oil labelled "high mileage" has additives that swell rubber/plastic. Their main use is to reduce oil consumption that's cause by leakage past rubber/plastic parts, typically valve stem guide seals. Once you start on it, it's best to stick with it: going back to regular oil there's a possibility the seals will start to shrink back, and oil consumption will increase dramatically.

    I really think they should spell this out on the bottles.
     
  6. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    As others have pointed out, it probably won’t hurt to club up to a slightly thicker oil (0W30) and your car is definitely high mileage.

    Don’t forget to read through some of the longer oil consumption threads and keep tabs on the EGR cooler and maybe consider an oil catch can.

    Good Luck!

    Say “Hi” to your mayor for me the next time he’s in town. ;)
     
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Looks like the Mobil 1 "high mileage" product comes in a 5W30 and that should be better than what he is using now.
    I say switch to that and stick with it.
    One quart in 3000 miles really isn't that much.

    How long do you intend to go between oil changes ?
    I suggest that just when it needs the second quart would be good.......about 6000 miles.
     
  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    That part of Indiana gets kinda cold in the winter, and the OP is already dealing with Lunar mileage and probably a lot or ring wear.

    I’d stick with 0W......
     
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    This info oughta send the OP to bonkers land.
     
  10. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    If there IS a lot of ring wear, there isn't much reason for the 0 weight oil at all anymore.......regardless of the temperature.
     
    frodoz737 likes this.
  11. abdullah arslan

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    Thanks for all the responses. With the responses and my readings in this forum, I think I ll use 0w20 and 5w20 respectively in a year. I ll use 5w20 from spring to fall, and 0w20 for cold times. But the oil will be different. I planning to switch to Mobil 1 extended. When I take a close look to this one and old one, I see that Mobil 1 high mileage is not ILSAC rated and also it says the extended one has more resistance to hot temperatures. So this will make approximately 10k miles the oil change interval.
     

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  12. abdullah arslan

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    So just an idea I came up with: I m assuming for a high mileage car (+200k), we started to use a high mileage oil and if there is no significant worn to seal it, will the oil still seal some parts? and if yes, does it cause mpg decrease since it will increase the friction?
    Thanks
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The high mileage oils have ingredients that cause rubber to swell. That's mainly for valve seals that have started to dry up, harden up, crack and leak. With the high mileage oil the seals may soften/swell, seal a little better, for a while. I'm not sure it would effect mpg either way, maybe slight improvement??
     
  14. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    NO. Not with an engine that has over 200K miles AND is showing signs of excessive oil usage.

    It is NOT a good idea to use "high mileage" oil in an engine that does not need it already.
     
  15. abdullah arslan

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    [QUOTE="I'm not sure it would effect mpg either way, maybe slight improvement??[/QUOTE]

    [QUOTE="It is NOT a good idea to use "high mileage" oil in an engine that does not need it already.[/QUOTE]

    Thanks, that's exactly what I thought, as new cars use regular oil, some old cars in great shape should use regular synthetic oil, in my opinion. and also I think if you put high mileage oil into an 80k car, it may reduce mpg since it does not need sealing yet
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    High mileage oil is sort of a one-way thing: once you start using, internal rubber components swell, and if you switch back to regular oil, those rubber components can shrink, and you end up with more consumption than at the start. Bottom line: high mileage oil is a last ditch engine stretcher.
     
  17. abdullah arslan

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    Lost 2-3 MPG with Mobil1 extended high mileage compared to last year. Also, it doesn't affect burning oil in faster speeds or mountainous roads, Next time, I ll use Mobil 1 0w30 or Pennzoil 0w20 regular oil not high mileage ones
     
  18. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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