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Excessive oil consumption: Does using thicker oil help?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Preeeus, Jan 9, 2019.

  1. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    You assume that both the US and European-Australian engines are built exactly to the same specifications. This is not likely the case.
     
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Sounds like there are a couple of people that are assuming:whistle:.

    I’m from Missouri (from time to time): Show me(y).
     
  3. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    What are you doing in California? There, where trends develop, they are doers, not followers who need to be shown, If you really want to know, you'd start by check out all the relevant engine part numbers for equivalent correlating engines built for each market.

    It's not that important to me. I'll just stick with Toyota's oil recommendations for my vehicle's engine.
     
  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Oh I’m a doer;).

    But when statements such as “most likely” are thrown around, I’ll call it out. While it may not be important to you, others have now “seen it on the internet so it has to be true”:cool:.

    @orenji is correct about what oil grades are acceptable in other countries. There are plenty of threads showing the actual charts in the manual.

    It’s a cautionary tale is all(y).
     
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  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    And I think that is a ridiculous assumption......as I think it is HIGHLY likely that it IS the case.
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I can't see them changing engine tolerance specs to suit other oil weights. And, at least in Australia, while other oil weights are "allowed" in the Owner's Manual, 0W20 is still recommended.
     
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  7. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    No assuming here. It's the same motor. Btw you will notice owners in other countries don't complain about oil burning like we are in the USA.
     
  8. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    That could be due to several factors.

    Maybe there are not as many of them.
    Maybe they are not as vocal.
    Maybe they don't put on the miles that we do.

    Are you somehow suggesting that percentage wise, the owners in the US wear out their engines more/faster than the people in other countries ??
     
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  9. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    No I am suggesting that they are using better quality oil and heavier weight.
     
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  10. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    I will still follow the recommendations in my owner's manual, notwithstanding the opinions of the "politicians," here.
     
  11. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    And I suggest that is pure speculation and not supported by any available FACTS.
     
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  12. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Your car do what you want. But I wonder why German cars don't use 0W-20!
     
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  13. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    That's because the engine in the particular car is designed and manufactured for the particular grade of oil.

    My husband's 2016 Nissan Versa Note uses 5w30. That's what he uses in that car.

    I'll use always 0w20 in my Prius. That's what the owner's manual specifies.
     
  14. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    I'm using 0w40 mobil1. It was -5* F outside this morning and my Prius started quietly with no hesitation. This is because this oil has a winter weight of zero and a pour point of -55* F. Any oil with a winter weight of zero, including 0w20, would have produced similar results.

    Pixel XL ?
     
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  15. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Nissan is one of the few manufactures who have not folded under CAFE and actually uses thicker oil. Next?
     
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  16. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    The only reason for thinner oil like 0W-20 and new to the USA on some new cars is 0W-15 motor oil is to increase MPG and meet CAFE standards or get taxed. This increase in MPG has decreased the life of the motor. Some manufactures can afford less credits because they have an offset like the LEAF for Nissan. So they can loose some MPG by using a 30 weight oil.
     
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  17. jack black

    jack black Active Member

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    my RAV4 with 10W30 started easy in a similar temp. even my sons Saturn oil burner with dino 15W40 started fine in 20F weather. it's -30F/-30C when the oil drama starts.
     
  18. jack black

    jack black Active Member

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    this is somewhat true, but not just due to oil. there are engine construction issues that play a role too (like low tension rings).
     
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  19. mjoo

    mjoo Senior Member

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    Hence why I mentioned the pour point temp.

    Pixel XL ?
     
  20. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Have the sudden urge to run for senate now to strip away CARB, and then we can go up to 0w-40 without penalty also legalize catch cans country wide.