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How many ounces of oil does your Prius use between oil changes?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ski.dive, May 4, 2014.

  1. ski.dive

    ski.dive Active Member

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    My Prius uses 3-4 ounces every 5k miles since new.
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    My 2004 with 172K miles uses ~32 ounces (or 1 quart) per 5K miles.
     
    dorunron likes this.
  3. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Like yours, about 3 or 4 ounces every 5,000 miles. That was on the Gen II I sold recently. Had 79K on the clock when I parted with it. So far the new one doesn't seem to be using any.

    Ron (dorunron)
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    3 pri, zero oil consumed.
     
  5. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    I'm at about 300 ml per 5000 km (which equates to roughly 16 ounces per 5000 miles).

    That's on my 2005 with 210000 km (130000 miles).
     
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    So little oil usage, anyone need to top off?

    SM-N900P ?
     
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I change oil at 7,500 mile intervals (using full synthetic oil) so I'll add 1/2 quart at 5K miles to make sure the oil level is still well above the lower dimple when I change the oil.
     
  8. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    '07 w/130k miles uses 16 ounces per 5k miles. This is down from nearly a quart in 5k miles after switching from dino 5-30 to Syntec 0-30 at 118k. ICE runs much smoother and quieter, especially at start-up. Got me convinced the Gen II Prius ICE IS worth a good synthetic. I keep the level at just below the upper dimple.
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This is one of the few posts I've read where switching to synthetic at high mileage actually helping oil consumption. Good to know

    SM-N900P ?
     
  10. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    Well, the German Castrol is known for being thick, so it's likely down to that. Mobil 1 0-40 would probably yield a similar result, speaking for my engine, anyway. I'd be spooked to try a typical 5-30 or 0-20 syn but I'm considering mixing a quart of Toy 0-20 into my next change just for giggles.

    How much quieter and smoother the thing runs is the bigger plus, imo. Don't know if lighter syns would do the same or not. I'm scared to play around too much and end up with engine clatter and real consumption!
     
  11. sorka

    sorka Active Member

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    Yea, but it's completely wrong. I've been using both dino and synthetic oil for 30 years and switching too synthetic in high mileage ALWAYS increases oil consumption dramatically in cars that consume some oil. Switching to conventional oil from synthetic (equal weights) always decreases consumption dramatically.
     
  12. sorka

    sorka Active Member

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    I'm at 170K miles. With 5w30, we consume a quart every 5K miles. Using 10w30 decreases that to about 8 ounces.
     
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I'm going to try a change with pennzoil platinum 5w30 next. My 08 has started burning oil ever since I tried mobil 1 0W20 once. I'm hoping the pennzoil will clean out the motor a bit and bring my car back to little oil consumption.

    SM-N900P ?
     
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Just read an article published by Art's Automotive regarding oil consumption. They still believe in the 3000 mile oil change. Not so much that the oil is no longer good, but it's a good way to not run out of oil. The recommendations from Toyota having a 10,000 OCI is just crazy, most people will run out of oil before that OCI comes around.

    They state the average car still uses about 1qt every 1500 miles after the car reaches 60k miles. So a higher mileage Prius can easily burn 2qts before 5000 miles (Gen2 OCI) and engine damage can already occur.
     
  15. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    I feel like I'm looking in the mirror! Exactly the same mileage, exactly the same consumption, and exactly the same habit of frequently topping off to keep the level close to (but usually just under) the top dimple. (y)
     
  16. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Wow, 4 times more consumption on 5W30 compared with 10W30. I have used higher viscosity oils in the past (with older cars) to moderate oil consumption, but I still wouldn't have expected that bigger difference.
     
  17. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    I have a 2011 Prius Two. Mine uses zero between 10,000 mile oil changes. Has 47,000 miles on it.
     
  18. yzfrider2001

    yzfrider2001 Junior Member

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    My wife's has 150K on it and doesn't use a drop.
     
  19. theshark

    theshark Member

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    2007 195098k uses 3-3 1/2 quarts between oil changes.. and getting worse. oil changes are at 5000 miles.
     
  20. ski.dive

    ski.dive Active Member

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    0W20 is like water...It seems to evaporate quickly on my PRIUS.
    If you use a thicker oil like 10W30, your oil will not need to be topped off as often,but your gas mileage will not be as good.

    I add a thick-oil like STP to my 4x4 truck to stop oil consumption.