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Being nice to your motor

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by Nicad, Dec 1, 2023.

  1. Nicad

    Nicad New Member

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    Just wondering if it is advisable to run the car hard some times just to get the motor fully up to temp, revved out, working hard. Seems to me a totally sedate life will lead to car Sclerosis?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Some highway driving every now and then would probably be a good thing,
    But more importantly, regular servicing of the egr circuit is the best preventative maintenance, and 5,000 mile oil changes
     
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  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I doubt you can get it warmed up more than it does normally if you drive 15 minutes or more. It is highly unlikely you will blow out carbon with high revs even if they were not limited by the hybrid system. In my experience high speed driving just burns more gas and accelerates oil consumption.

    The best preventative actions for head gaskets and brake boosters are frequent oil, coolant and brake fluid changes. Before high oil consumption starts and before increased brake booster cycling. Without high oil consumption, egr buildup will be nominal.
     
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  4. Doug McC

    Doug McC Active Member

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    What you are referring to is often called “an Italian tune-up” and many here swear by it. Even The Car Care Nut seems to. I don’t. I agree with rjparker, preventive maintenance (more often than most people here do it) will work a whole lot better, even though it may not be as much fun as playing hot rod racer.
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I’d just try to avoid frequent short runs, consolidate chores where possible.
     
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The motors do not need more maintenance than 100,000 mile changes with ATF WS.

    Perhaps you were thinking of the engine.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Symantecs? The engine lubricant is referred to as motor oil.
     
  8. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    More likely the opposite for third-generation cars, considering the susceptibility of their head gaskets to thermal gradients. That's especially likely when the engine is cold.
    Your 2023 might be more tolerant of your method of "getting the motor up to temp."