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The verdict on increased oil weight?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Higgins909, Sep 2, 2021.

  1. Higgins909

    Higgins909 Member

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    Does anyone have a verdict on increased oil weight? I have a 2010 with 185k and I think I've put 3 quarts of oil in so far and I'm only at 4k on this oil change. If I need more oil before the 5k I plan on changing it. But increased oil weight is something I've been wondering about. Looking around 0w30 might be heard to find. 0w20 is stock. I can find 5w30 and 10w30 but I wasn't sure about changing the cold number. All are full synthetic.

    I have concluded that my short 7 mile trips to and from work are burning oil faster then a 300 mile road trip. I live in Texas where summers can be 103F and the last winter was apparently 9F. The googling of 0w20 doesn't line up with the Prius manual, the temperature range that is.

    Thanks,
    Higgins909
     
    #1 Higgins909, Sep 2, 2021
  2. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    #2 AzusaPrius, Sep 2, 2021
    Jim Swart and PriusCamper like this.
  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Adding 3 quarts in only 4K miles means you need an engine swap... It will cost you more the longer you put this off. Your engine is about to die and you need to rebuild or replace it, preferably with a Gen4 used engine, but a gen 3 could work too...
     
    #3 PriusCamper, Sep 2, 2021
  4. Higgins909

    Higgins909 Member

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    It was something I thought I would try. As a cheaper solution. I'm burning oil as it is. Have heard about it helping with 2000's vehicles. Recently watched a video that made me wonder as a ecoboost engine was being worked on. They upped the HOT number and it seemed to have worked.


    I've been wanting a new car for quite a while but I try to watch my money. The plan was when it died I would buy a new(er) one. The market is absolutely insane right now, more than it was before. The problem is by the time the engine finally dies, I will have already been messing with cells in the HVB or something of that nature. But that kinda sounds like a financially viable option, when the time comes. $3000-$4000 and I've got a car ready for many more years with a newer engine and possibly new HVB.

    I wonder where you find a engine. I've looked around a little bit and it gives a range. 2010-2018 45-55k miles. Nothing specific. If I was looking for a Gen4 engine. Right now it's not burning that much. The manual says 1.1quarts per 600 miles. For the most part, I think it's been burning this amount since I got it in 2017 with 163k on it. It will eventually destroy the cat(s) and sensors. If I could extend the life my putting in a slightly heavier oil, I'll do it. But it's looking like a no.
     
    #4 Higgins909, Sep 2, 2021
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Maybe. But maybe not.......at least not yet.

    Seems rather strange to me that ALL of the major oil companies sell a "high mileage" oil formulation that goes up to maybe 10W40 or so if it is such a BAD thing to do. Hint: it isn't, under the right circumstances.

    It certainly won't hurt anything to give it a try and you might be pleasantly surprised.
     
    #5 sam spade 2, Sep 2, 2021
    GrGramps and Higgins909 like this.
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    An alternative would be a brand new short block (3rd or 4th gen?), have a machine shop go over the head, and supply them with Toyota’s gasket kit. Then reassemble with new head gasket (included in kit) and head bolts. Kit and bolt part no’s in attached.
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 Mendel Leisk, Sep 2, 2021
  7. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    0w40 Mobil 1 my friend
     
    #7 douglasjre, Sep 3, 2021
    Higgins909 likes this.
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