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Has anyone tried TorqueNews.com's oil-consumption advice?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by priuslyfe, Jan 31, 2022.

  1. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    Have 2007 Prius with 264000 miles. Only owned it about 6 weeks and it seems to use a lot of oil. I've read many threads here regarding such and although typical...I did switch to synthetic from regular oil that the previous owner used. Did an oil change on Jan 1. Now its the last day of the month and I think I have used 5 quarts (a couple to top off and 3 or so for a change) but not exactly sure..because after changing oil & filter have not been paying attention. Figured within a month today is the 31st...what could happen?

    So was driving and braked at a stoplight, the BEEP/EXCLAMATION POINT/PROBLEM came up on the display. Obviously I freaked out but was relieved thanks to priuschat that it was likely low oil. Immediately put 3 quarts of synthetic 5w30 in which removed the CAUTION screens and now...overfilled by a quart according to stick.

    Also came up on a website torquenews that recommends PCV (was gonna change when weather got warmer), and more notably 1) HYBRID REPAIR KIT from BG products and 2) CRC Intake Valve cleaner

    A. Could it be switching from regular oil to synthetic? read a thread where it says engines get "used to" certain types of oil. Thought synthetic was best and used in my old 2008 prius. Never heard of this theory.

    B. Worth it to buy those products mentioned? Gonna wait till the weather is warmer too cold to even think lately. Are there alternatives you recommend? I've always been told by mechanics that additives are snake-oil otherwise would be mentioned by Toyota to add.

    C. Why is it so bad to overfill on oil if your Prius is burning through it anyways?? didn't want to but just panicked.

    THANK YOU FOR ANY REPLIES.

    TorqueNews LINK: 3 Ways To Reduce Oil Consumption On Your Toyota Prius | Torque News
     
    #1 priuslyfe, Jan 31, 2022
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I actually blocked the author Nielsen on Facebook because every time I saw one of his Torque news articles I'd roll my eyes and get mad at how clueless he is... To be fair, I went and read this one and can say with confidence that all three tips are entirely worthless and will do nothing to change engine oil consumption.

    As for having an extra quart of oil in enegine, you need to drain some out ASAP. Not only does it create bad gas mileage, but you will have to replace your catalytic converter sooner than later due to oil fouling if your engine oil level is too high.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Jan 31, 2022
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  3. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    thank you. how should I drain out oil? other than driving it for 50 miles obviously (LOL).
     
    #3 priuslyfe, Jan 31, 2022
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    As much as its annoying mess to drain out a quart, it'd probably be worth it unless your car burns lots of oil already and it won't take long for it to burn off.
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Jan 31, 2022
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  5. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    Thanks.

    Another question: Read in another thread to clean out the spark-plug valves and carbon build-up on the cylinders to pour a "solvent" down there. What solvent exactly? Will this help oil-consumption?

    I plan on changing the plugs when the weather gets warmer anyway.
     
    #5 priuslyfe, Jan 31, 2022
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    That's a last ditch method if you have a failing engine burning lots of oil... It's similar to what "Hybrid Repair Kit" does, but not recommended if your engine is still in good condition. However on a dying engine it can be effective and the best way to figure out what works do a google search on "Piston Soak Recipes" and read all you can and pick a recipe that seems like the best one.
     
    #6 PriusCamper, Jan 31, 2022
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  7. priuslyfe

    priuslyfe Member

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    OK. will do.

    Btw do you really camp in your prius or is it just a name OR last ditch effort thing? I've heard of that but is it sustainable for any period of time...with special concern with 100lbs dog and maybe a cat too?

    I always dream of moving out of the cold and want to just pack up the pets and leave, someday for sure I will.
     
    #7 priuslyfe, Jan 31, 2022
  8. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I drive on long road trips to California periodically and have sun shade curtains for all windows and removed the center console and replaced with a pillow so when I pull into a rest stop I take both headrests off and slide front seats all the way forward and recline them flush with the back seat and add more pillows which creates a relatively flat sleeping area without compromising storage in rear of car.
     
    #8 PriusCamper, Jan 31, 2022
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