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2010 prius oil consumption

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by mengoni, Jun 16, 2016.

  1. Randy Rued

    Randy Rued Junior Member

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    How about the small light in the headlights. How do you get them off?
     
  2. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Although most people don't, oil level should be checked at least at every fill up. This is regardless of the type of vehicle.
     
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  3. GBC_Texas_Prius

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    At 174K miles, my 2010 Prius is using a little oil. On this change, the mechanic said he thought it was leaking around the oil pan. On the previous oil change, another mechanic said he thought it might be leaking around the valve cover gasket. I'll put up with adding a pint once every 5K miles for now. Good to know it isn't burning oil, I guess the mechanics must be seeing oil stains on the underneath pan.
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A pint every 5000 miles with 174k miles is not bad at all.
     
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  5. My Viper

    My Viper Junior Member

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    At 180K miles, my 2010 Prius is using 1 quart every 2, 000 miles.
     
  6. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    What kind of oil were you using when consumption first increased significantly? How often was it changed before that?
     
  7. My Viper

    My Viper Junior Member

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    I have it changed at the dealer every 10,000 miles so it is whatever they use. When I have to add oil I use Mobile 1 Synthetic for Hybrids 0-20w
     
  8. RyanM

    RyanM Member

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    FWIW 2010 here with 230k. Most oil changes done every 5k. Never over 10k. Lots of highway miles on the car. Long distance trips 1,000+ miles at a crack. WI-NC, WI-SC, WI-IA, WI-TN, IA-NC, IA-SC.... 20 miles of 35-50mph driving a day and sometimes up to 60 miles of 55-75mph driving every day work commute. Have not noticed any oil consumption.
     
  9. Manhal K Alrashdan

    Manhal K Alrashdan Junior Member

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    I change oil every 10000 miles. My (at 147000 odo) consume about a quart over a period of 10-12 months. Which I consider very reasonable.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    How many miles in that 10~12 months? Sounds good!
     
  11. cosgrove

    cosgrove Junior Member

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    Up to about 186000 miles no noticeable consumption between oil changes (5000 mi). Suddenly, 3 quarts/5000 miles. Still runs OK, just check oil every fill up. Highway driving seems to use more oil per mile than town (slow) driving.
     
  12. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    That is strange. Wonder if something happened to a piston ring . . .

    That consumption rate is still above the Toyota engineering spec. Just hope it does not get worse!
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Toyota's oil consumption "spec" is a bit bald. They just came up with this value, that really stretches incredulity; it's not like Moses brought it down from the mountain.
     
  14. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Indeed...I have maintained many family vehicles over the years and have NEVER had a vehicle noticeably consume oil...until now.
    • Four Mazda vehicles never noticeably consumed oil. However, they rust like mad! We still have our 2004 Mazda MPV. It is still mechanically strong at 160,000 miles but has tons of rust. Because of Mazda's rust issue we switched to Hyundai.
    • Our two current Hyundai vehicles have not noticeably consumed oil either and have been extremely reliable.
    • I have never owned a vehicle that comes with a note in the manual indicating potential oil consumption...until now.
    • We buy a Prius...and it uses oil. Something is a bit off there.

    Seems like Toyota is covering their nice person regarding manufacturing defects, doesn't it?? I'd wager that this is a premature piston ring wear issue (especially on the 2010s). At least Hyundai had the decency to recall the Sonata when they found potential manufacturing defects regarding the engine block.

    Frankly, this whole fiasco has made us far less likely to purchase a Toyota again...although it certainly isn't out of the question.
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Same here. I keep proposing that this spec should be featured prominently in their sales brochures.

    All our previous Hondas seem to settle in around needing about a pint top up, around 2/3 of the way to the next oil change.

    To be fair, our 2010 Prius (with a mere 64,000 km on odometer) has so far consumed no oil between changes. Pretty short interval though, I'm following the Canadian 6 months or 8000 km oil change interval, with months governing. By a country mile. :oops:
     
  16. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    Clearly, neither of you ever owned a VW . . . (I have, and the last was my LAST - and well before the present emissions fiasco too) :eek:
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    My parents had a '58 bug. Not sure how it was for oil, my dad never said anything. Just stoic? :ROFLMAO:
     
  18. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    The '58 was a really simple engine in the back, air cooled if I remember correctly. :)

    Back then, the advice was to check the oil every time you filled up the tank . . .
     
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  19. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    When, at ~70K, my old Passat suddenly started to drink a quart of oil every 800 miles and the service manager at the dealer said that was what German engineering intended (and was in my service manual at the time), we parted ways. I traded in that car very shortly after that conversation while it was still "within spec".
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yes, it was air cooled. I was pretty young; I do recall seeing the engine "lid" flipped up regularly, likely my dad was checking the oil.

    Gas check (tank at the front) was similar to oil check: literally with a stick.

    Hah, found the owner's manual:

    TheSamba.com :: April 1958 VW Bug Owner's Manual
     
    #40 Mendel Leisk, Nov 17, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2016
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