Toyota said 1 QT per 500 miles is "normal"

I changed the oil in the wife's RAV 4 (06 52K 4cyl) Was 2 qts low at 5000 mile interval. So We were looking to replace the RAV and decided since she does drive and uses her car for business we might look for a newer RAV.

So I called the service dept on her "Certified" RAV 4 and explained that there were no leaks and no smoke but the engine used 2 qts in 5000 miles. They told me they would not even look at the car unless it was using 1 qt every 500 miles...I told them at that rate one would never need to do an oil change. LOL They said it would cost $600 to open her up and see where the oil is going.... I told my sales guy who I bought three cars from it would likely be the last RAV 4 we would own. With that I checked my oil and it had not lost any in 1000 miles.

 

LOL not normal! Try different dealer... Is it 2.4L? My Camry is 07 has 87k and has the 2.4L as well. Goes through about a quart every 5k miles... No leaks... I am suspecting piston rings :/

 

I have read some Camry owners have the same concerns....
http://www.google.com/search?hl=&q=...avclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGLL_enUS401US401&ie=UTF-8

http://www.google.com/search?hl=&q=...=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=a7e41b2aad176a4b

Unfortunately the next nearest dealer is 100 miles away and they don;t have a whole lot of competition either..LOL I suppose one could call Toyota in California and get an "official" determination but since the convenient dealership has that kind of attitude and position on things I would rather buy a brand from a dealership that will actually support their customers..... Around here Hyundai believe it or not bend over backwards for their customers. I know three people who bought them and have nothing but good things to say about their service dept. Maybe the wifey better likely a Tuscon because I cannot buy another Toyota in this town.

 

Apparently the manual indicates the same......dammm

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...nded-service-contract-poll-3.html#post2900986

 

Yeah, same with our Tacoma trucks. I think the manual says 1 qt every 600 miles is normal. That's absolutely absurd, not to mention expensive.

 

I think you should recheck the wording... it probably doesn't say 1 qt every 600 is 'normal', but that it's "not excessive" or something like that. It's obviously not normal and there's a big difference.

This is a commonly misunderstood complaint with all makes and brands of cars and trucks, just peruse other forums and you'll see what I mean...every one has similar stories. The truth is: SOME oil consumption IS normal. And it can vary a lot depending on how it's driven, weather and even the brand/grade oil used. If you're consuming at low rate like a qt every 2000 or 3000 miles or so simply try changing brands to see what happens.

And, finally, sometimes some engines simply are prone to oil consumption. Alone it's not a sign of a bad engine and not really such a big issue, and if putting 2-3 qts of oil in between changes is 'expensive' just run the numbers for buying/selling vehicles to get to that ideal.

Also, folks with the 4.0L V6, 2007 model year or so and earlier, should remember that engine has a common oil leak problem at the timing chain cover that is covered under the power-train warranty.

 

Dealers everywhere are running off folks like they dont care. Toyota USA needs to take some dealerships away from lackluster aholes&work on getting toyota back to the best car co. in the world. Going to post my latest in (oil drinking thread) bs right now check this one out. Not happy,Jim

 

Just for reference, we traded in a 2006 RAV 4 (4 cyl) last year with 75000 miles on it. It did not use any oil between 5K oil changes. Your's is not normal or right.

 

The point being its not normal to me and not "excessive" to Toyota..... I lose.

 

I have a hard time believing that's normal in a modern engine with relatively low miles.

My 177k mile Matrix only eats about 1/2 quart every 3500 miles...and that engine has seen a lot of duty...

 

Direct quote
Page 377

"More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and frequent acceleration and deceleration.

A new engine consumes more oil.

Oil consumption: Max. 1.1 qt/600miles"

they do say if you burn more than that then contact your toyota dealer.

 

Just curious...you said in the last 1000 miles you haven't used any oil? How long are you letting the oil change go? My truck is supposed to be 5K or 6 months whichever comes first. I haven't been driving much lately, it's been 1500 miles and almost three months. If the pattern continues, I will be changing it at 3000 miles and six months. If I was to let it go longer time wise I would expect it to start burning oil before I hit the 5K mark. Stop and go short trip driving is hard on oil and thins it out.

 

Do you know the TSB on this?

 

My wife has a 2004 Rav4 with 163,000 miles on it

we change oil at 5k intervals

and

it uses no oil between changes

it has the the 2.4 4 banger - fwd

 

Then wait a month, call your dealer again, and say after a month of driving you are down two quarts. That will get them to look at it!

 

T-SB-0326-08

Check the TSB's list in the stickies

 

The TSB covers a LEAK....not consumption. Leaks can be covered. Consumption is a lot more tricky. The dealer claims any consumption over 1 QT in 500 miles will not be considered a warranty repair. $600 to open the engine up and go from there.

We are not using THAT much LOL.. Only about 1 QT evey 1000 so there is nothing that can be done except to check the oil like they did 30 years ago at every fill up at full service stations.

If it gets too bad I will trade it and find a newer one for her or try another brand small SUV.

 

I'm about done with toyota. they're not better then the big 3 at this point

 

Yeah my Tacoma doesn't use any either. But others do. Engines are different. Drivers are different. First I will try a heavier oil in the RAV. Seems in the RAV forums that has been the way to go.