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2010 Prius driven at 100mph, then burning oil

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by AllenZ, Oct 18, 2016.

  1. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Current oil burning level is about half dip stick/2K miles. And the oil looks dirty for merely 2K miles.

    My friend borrowed my car and I believe he drove at 100 mph for hours, as he did to his own car before. Since then, the car burns (lost) oil at such rate.

    What can I do to slow it down, to avoid replacing engine?

    I bought it in 2014 at 110K miles, with great condition. Current mile is 154K. My wife drives it daily for 12 miles commute, and in weekend we put in 300 miles regularly. We never exceeds 70 mph. We've only replaced struts at 130K, no other repairs.

    The mpg looks normal, at around 50.

    BTW, this is Prius II, not the Five with solar panel that I mentioned on profile.

    Thanks for any info or advice.

    Allen
     
  2. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Put 5w30 oil in it next oil change it will slow burning
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Some kind of "friend" you have. SMH
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  4. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    How do you drive 100 MPH for hours?
     
    edthefox5 likes this.
  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    In addition to thicker oil, there are plenty of things to investigate:

    -PCV valve
    -intake manifold
    -egr system
    -engine oil treatment (I have used BG Products EPR)

    Can you give some additional background? Did it burn oil prior to the high speed endeavor? Have you used fuel injector cleaner? Oil change frequency? Oil currently used? You say the oil looks dirty on the dipstick. How many miles on this oil with this being the case? How is the ICE idle and transition to the electric engine?
     
    Aaron Vitolins and Robert Holt like this.
  6. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    they tend to do it at that mileage, but i'm quite sure your friend facilitated it too.

    Toyota says that 0w20 is not good enough in very severe service. 100mph in a prius is very severe service.
     
  7. BruceInOKC

    BruceInOKC Member

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    Driving 100 mph for short periods shouldn't push the oil temps into the red zone, but driving the engine at high rpm for extended periods is a different matter - it resembles racing conditions. Past a certain point, it could damage the engine.
     
    #7 BruceInOKC, Oct 23, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2016
  8. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    hours?
    bs.... /

    BION
    StarCaller
     
  9. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    it's not BS. things like that happen. i vividly remember when oil consumption started in my RIP corolla. it was fine, until i was in a hurry and took that high speed (85-90mph) hwy trip (only 2 hrs) on a very hot and humid day (AC full blast) with a loaded car. this was just before the oil change too, so oil was not so fresh. consumption started from that day.
     
  10. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

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    My Prius started using oil at about 150,000 miles and it was over 90 once when I first got it at 43,000 miles. What in the world can I, and many other's who experience the same, blame for this? Nobody has ever borrowed my car.
     
  11. Stangar

    Stangar Active Member

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    I think he loaned it to a friend of his in Chicago. Once you get on any interstate highway you can drive for hours at 100 mph. However, at that speed, the trick would be to avoid jail and impoundment of the vehicle. This is where luck enters the equation.

    But, you are right as it is not so easily done now as it used to be. Some people cannot stand to see others having fun and dial 911. (sarcasm).
     
  12. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Drive across Montana or Wyoming some time and tell me that.
     
    kc410 likes this.