2020 TRD O/R Oil Consumption Advice Request

Hi, Folks,

I have a 2020 TRD O/R with around 20k miles on it. The low engine oil light has come on consistently between every oil change, sometimes more than once. I have added an average of 2 quarts each time this occurs.

I have taken it to my dealership twice for oil consumption tests, and both times I was told it passed. My tech manager told me that Toyota accepts consumption of 1 Quarts for every 1,200 miles.

This seems absurd to me. Given that I sue full synthetic oil, which means my oil change interval is between 7.5k and 10k miles, I could theoretically burn more oil between changes (8 quarts) than the total engine volume with filter (6.2 quarts). Why bother with an oil change???

I traded in my 2018 TRD O/R for the 2020 to gain some additional features, but didn't realize I'd be getting a lemon. My 2018 never used any oil. It maintained the same level between every oil change.

So, can anyone tell me what course of action I can take? My dealership obviously is trying to avoid action. Is the 1Qt per 1,200 miles cunsumption accurate? Would contacting Toyota directly make a difference? Has anyone else experienced the same and found a solution? I'm feeling a bit stuck...

Thank you in advance for any experience you can give.

 

Contacting Toyota directly and opening up a case is one option. So is going to another dealer.

I certainly wouldn’t be satisfied with that answer. You know you’re losing oil. Who cares what their test says.

Any residue on the ground or around the oil pan drain plug or is this definitely consumption?

You could also take it to an independent mechanic for an opinion.

 

I think you need to go to Toyota directly. I can't find a published acceptable rate for our engine but for others Toyota says its excessive if more than 1 qt for 1100-1300 miles. If you're within that range this may be an uphill battle.

Burning a little oil between changes is fine but no way I'd be happy with burning 2+ qts between changes. Likely lead to early cat failure too.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/MC-10134187-9999.pdf

 

This may be inside the parameters of what Toyota will except for you, it should not be what you except from Toyota. If you decide to live with it , do not wait for the light to come on . Check the oil at least once every 500 miles and fill as needed
If Toyota will do nothing, trade it in if you can because it will not get better and will lead to emission problems.

 

That's considered acceptable for general oil consumption... it sucks but it is what is is - has been this way since the oil consumption issues with the 2.5L 2AR.

That said are you sure you aren't leaking? These things are more known for timing cover or rear main seal leaks than consumption. I'd assume the dealership looked but might help to get under there and pull the skid plate to check.

 

I’ll just state the level on my dipstick stays dead on between 5k oil changes on my 2018 with 270k.

One guys truck at work ate oil immediately after an oil change. They took it to dealer, changed oil again & did a consumption test & it passed. Hasn’t happened since. Dealer thought quick lube joint dumped in the incorrect weight oil?

 

As I am a previous Subaru owner I am particularity sensitive to this matter lol. I would recommend taking it to another dealer and see what they say. If the same answer contact corporate to have this escalated. Neither my 2016 nor 2020 consume oil like this. My wife's Equinox consumed oil (Known ring issue) and it ended up going through the cats and putting it into limp mode before we finally got rid of it. Wipe your finger on the inside of the tail pipe and see if there is any oil residue.

 

I see no discernible change in oil level between changes on my 2017 FWIW.

 

Like was noted, contact Corporate.

The typical oil consumption limit is 1qt every 3k. Like you said, it would be silly to actually change the oil.


The other side of the coin is that if it is eating that much oil, something else is going to crop up. It can't eat that much oil and not lunch something else that would escalate the issue.

 

I’m just jealous you can actually see the level on the dipstick…damn oil is clear like water.

 

You aren’t the first person to have a problem. The problem is, according to specifications your engine isn’t eligible to further inspected. (not unless you want to pay for the inspection) And then, you probably ain’t getting anywhere with Toyota. Because, there again, “there isn’t one”.

I’m not saying this is your problem. I’m saying I feel that the rate you are consuming oil isn’t normal, in my opinion.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/big-2gr-fks-engine-problem.406251/

 

Take some sand paper or scotch-bright pad and scuff up the end of the dip stick a bit. It will allow you to see it much better and get a more accurate reading.

 

Thanks. I was joking.

I have no problems changing or checking my oil.

 

OP if you plan on keeping the truck, I’d recommend getting a Toyota extended warranty if it hasn’t been a full 3 years yet since you bought it. I’m not usually one for car warranties, but in your case I would for sure. If it ain’t leakin on the ground, it’s making its way past the rings and that’s going to become more of a problem sooner than later. You can buy a VSA (what Toyota calls it) at anytime before the 3 yr/36K initial warranty is up. And you can also shop around; Many people get them thru Wolverine Toyota in (I think) Michigan and I remember seeing their price list posted on here within the last year where a 10 yr/100K was like $1300. I think the odds are forever in your favor on this one.

I also had a Subaru (2013 Outback), and it was consistently drinking a quart every 3K, and I got the “1 quart every 1200 miles” bullshit from my dealer too. I even said the same thing to them… that there’d be nothing left in the pan under their oil loss standard! I ended up selling the car and buying my truck (which doesn’t lose a drop of oil between changes), but I told the new owner all about it because I’m not a dickhead (my wife may disagree with that sometimes, haha). Anyway, about a year later he called me asking if I still had my service records documenting it had an oil consumption issue for years, which I gave him. The rings ended up shitting the bed and that was exactly why I got rid of it. He fought them tho and actually got Subaru to cover it. I bought it about 4 years before that as a certified used with 100K warranty and I guess it transferred over, or maybe Subaru just decided to do the right thing for him. That car also had the head gasket done under warranty when I still had it, as well as a leaky rear diff. All under 80K. Never again Subaru… well, except for maybe a classic ‘80s Soob with low range! I learned to drive in an old stick shift Subaru Brat, with the 2 seats bolted into the bed, facing backwards!

 

Sounds like you're either burning or leaking oil bro. I'm not an expert or anything, but based on my experience, that should absolutely not be the case at 20k miles. As far as I'm aware, a properly working engine shouldn't burn or leak any engine oil AT ALL. My 2010 prius used to burn oil, but it started burning after 100k miles.

 

I'm tradin' that thing in yesterday.

 

If you rev the engine, do you see smoke come out of the exhaust?

how about smoke during startup? Which I believe would be valve seals.

 

That is a lot of oil. There is going evidence of the problem somewhere. Crawl under the truck and see what you see but if it was leaking you would see puddles. After that I would pull the spark plugs one at a time and inspect them. If it’s burning 4 quarts between oil changes you will see some fouling on whatever cylinder it’s getting into. This won’t solve your problem but it will at least give you some idea of what’s happening.

 

Are you taking it to the same place for oil changes? I would suspect they aren't filling it. Do you check your level right after the change?

If something was wrong with the engine that made it burn that much oil you would see OBVIOUS signs, especially a low mileage one....black soot on the bumper is usually an indication of running rich on fuel but it can also be from oil...you'd also see blue smoke from the exhaust as the oil burns off. Otherwise it would be an obvious leak as the cause.

 

If you end up stuck with the situation try moving to a heavier weight oil maybe all the way to a straight 30W.