I have a 2007 Scion tC bought and owned since new of December '06 and I started to notice oil consumption of some kind back in Jan '12. I pretty much stick to 4,500 - 5,000 mile OCI's regardless of which oil I put in it. 9/10 years I've only used full synthetic Mobil 1 and Pennzoil (1st year during break in was the free dealer change). Every time I change out the oil I usually drop out 1.5 - 2.0 qts. when I put 4 qts. of new oil. I have roughly 95K miles on the car right now after owning it for 10 years. I know motors can consume oil as they age and I have already taken it to the dealer twice for TSB oil consumption tests (passed both times).
Just a little run down of my driving habbits, oils used, conditions of the vehicle, etc.;
Vehicle: 2007 Scion tC
Current Mileage: Roughly 95,000 miles
Misc Engine Conditions:
- No leaks
- No issues
- Runs fine
- PCV valve was not clogged (replaced with new OEM PCV two week ago around 94,500 miles)
Oils Used at 4,500 - 5,000 mile OCI:
- Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 5W-20
- Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20
- Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic 5W-20 (used once back in summer of 2015)
- Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20
- Pennzoil Platinum 0W-20 (only used once for 4,500 miles)
Oil Filters Used:
- Mobil 1 Extended Performance
- FRAM Ultra Synthetic (used only once with Pennzoil Platinum 0W-20)
Driving Habbits:
- Lots of short distance driving in the city with about a 5 minute drive on the high way usually totaling around 20 - 30 miles a day on average.
- Rarely go on road trips that are around 1,500 miles one way. (Only done that about 7 times)
- I do not have a lead foot and the only time I punch it is when I'm at a yield/stop sign intersection trying to get on the main road when cars are flying passed you at 45 - 50 mph.
I know Toyota changed to 5W-20 for CAFE reasons during the time period my car was sold because the previous years the manual stated to use 5W-30 instead. Then again they say the '07+ has minor engine tweaks that I cannot confirm (just word of mouth). Anyways, my issue is I seem to burn roughly 2 - 2.5 qts, of oil when I mainly do city driving. I figure it might have to do with the type of oil I'm using or worried that I actually have some kind of oil consumption the dealer might of missed during the tests. From their results they said I barely burned a 1/4 of a qt. of oil within the 1,200 mile tests which seemed odd.
I was thinking of switching to Amsoil as they are actual synthetic oil compared to the group III Mobil 1 and Pennzoil full synthetics are mostly comprised of. Also, even though my car has used full synthetic oils practically it's whole life, should I change to high mileage oils even though I don't see any types of leaks on the outside of my engine or driveway and is it safe to go back and forth between high mileage oils and regular full synthetic with car being 10 years old?
If anyone has any kind of tips or insights to which might be causing this then by all means post up. I'm still learning about oils so bare with me.
Just a little run down of my driving habbits, oils used, conditions of the vehicle, etc.;
Vehicle: 2007 Scion tC
Current Mileage: Roughly 95,000 miles
Misc Engine Conditions:
- No leaks
- No issues
- Runs fine
- PCV valve was not clogged (replaced with new OEM PCV two week ago around 94,500 miles)
Oils Used at 4,500 - 5,000 mile OCI:
- Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 5W-20
- Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-20
- Mobil 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic 5W-20 (used once back in summer of 2015)
- Pennzoil Platinum 5W-20
- Pennzoil Platinum 0W-20 (only used once for 4,500 miles)
Oil Filters Used:
- Mobil 1 Extended Performance
- FRAM Ultra Synthetic (used only once with Pennzoil Platinum 0W-20)
Driving Habbits:
- Lots of short distance driving in the city with about a 5 minute drive on the high way usually totaling around 20 - 30 miles a day on average.
- Rarely go on road trips that are around 1,500 miles one way. (Only done that about 7 times)
- I do not have a lead foot and the only time I punch it is when I'm at a yield/stop sign intersection trying to get on the main road when cars are flying passed you at 45 - 50 mph.
I know Toyota changed to 5W-20 for CAFE reasons during the time period my car was sold because the previous years the manual stated to use 5W-30 instead. Then again they say the '07+ has minor engine tweaks that I cannot confirm (just word of mouth). Anyways, my issue is I seem to burn roughly 2 - 2.5 qts, of oil when I mainly do city driving. I figure it might have to do with the type of oil I'm using or worried that I actually have some kind of oil consumption the dealer might of missed during the tests. From their results they said I barely burned a 1/4 of a qt. of oil within the 1,200 mile tests which seemed odd.
I was thinking of switching to Amsoil as they are actual synthetic oil compared to the group III Mobil 1 and Pennzoil full synthetics are mostly comprised of. Also, even though my car has used full synthetic oils practically it's whole life, should I change to high mileage oils even though I don't see any types of leaks on the outside of my engine or driveway and is it safe to go back and forth between high mileage oils and regular full synthetic with car being 10 years old?
If anyone has any kind of tips or insights to which might be causing this then by all means post up. I'm still learning about oils so bare with me.
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