2009 Excessive Oil Consumption/Loss

Hello,

My Prius was in an accident. Front and rear bumper damage. There was an ever so slight noise under car and dealership looked things over and thought it could be from the heat shield clamp broken off. They temporarily secured it. I'm going from memory.

Over the years I've had slight increase in oil consumption but after this last oil change (after accident )I had significant loss. There is no oil dripping onto the pavement where I park. Any ideas what this could mean??

Car is at auto body shop today. They are going to examine under car to see extent of heat shield damage. What could cause the oil to decrease to bottom line on dipstick when under 3000 from last oil change?

Of course dealership said the car could be totaled and I'm trying not to go there. Seems like every time I pay off a car something major goes wrong within months and I LOVE my 2009 Prius!

I wasn't really worried until I saw the oil loss.

Thank you,

Maria

 

Sorry I forgot to include those details. 173,000 miles. Conventional SAE 5W30 I was getting oil changed every 5000 miles and at about 4000 miles I needed to add a 1/2 quart. That's why I was shocked that it was so low so soon. Switching to every 3000 miles is probably best at this age. Thanks

 

Thank you! Especially for reminding me not to worry until I have to. : } Anxiety stinks.

I’m assuming you meant shorten oil change interval to 3000 miles. That’s what I will do and definitely check it more often. I’ve heard multiple people say they’ve paid for oil changes that didn’t include enough oil so I will be checking oil right after changes from now on too. I really appreciate your feedback!

 

Thank you, Bisco. I haven't been checking oil level after oil change but will do so from now on. I remember you were one of my super helpful Prius shopping consultants.: } Can't believe it was over 5 years ago. Forever grateful!

 

I'm not sure where to post this or what to do at this point. I just received call from the auto body shop and my car would be totaled if they negotiate for OEM bumper etc. No warranty on these parts that the insurance company is listing apparently. It took me three months to find this car and I don't have back up while looking for car. The unexpected damage was the key fob antenna. OEM $271.

 

Good Luck![/QUOTE]

Hi ETS I'm posting this in two places. I just received call from the auto body shop and my car would be totaled if they negotiate for OEM bumper etc. No warranty on these parts that the insurance company is listing apparently. It took me three months to find this car and I don't have back up while looking for car. The unexpected damage was the key fob antenna. OEM $271.

 

I've been driving it for almost a year. The insurance company was only going to cut me a $1400 check and I knew there was way more damage. I just posted in the general forum area. : } At this point they wouldn't cut a check for the supplemental repairs and the car has been taken apart.

 

The fact that it's been taken apart isn't a huge dea

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Sorry guys I'm bouncing back and forth because I posted the repair question in the general forum. I don't know what to do with my insurance company. It's more complicated because I have an injury which I'm shouldn't discuss here. My insurance company can't talk about the claim with me.

At this point if I had the auto body put it back together which is really just putting bumpers and grill back on, I would have to pay for labor and storage.

 

Yes, I think you're right. The least stressful thing would be to get it fixed and then have time to shop for a newer one over time and let go of the fact that the money could have been used for a deposit on a newer car. I could complicate things even more and Monday ask the body shop what I would owe them to put it back together. I'm forgetting that the increase in the estimate is not technically supplemental yet. It was an adjustment to the initial estimate that was based on my photos. due to COVID.

Rental = New Corolla with only 300 miles on it. Makes me love my Prius even more. : }