Consumer Reports finds some newer cars burn too much oil
07-03-15, 06:23 PM
#79
Lexus Fanatic
07-03-15, 06:35 PM
#82
Lexus Test Driver
Different piston rings in the four cylinders? That's probably the funniest assembly-line goof I've heard of since the one in those older, notoriously sloppy Chrysler plants, where they put Dodge trim/hardware on one side of the car and Plymouth on the other. That one embarrassed even the UAW. 
The sound of a Twin Spark ripping up to 7000 rpm is unforgettable but it wasn't fun carrying around a big bottle of Shell Helix full synth in the back. Anyway, it came from a Fiat plant with the worst quality record and the highest number of strikes, so go figure.
07-03-15, 06:36 PM
#83
Engine engineer certainly did not write that and you should not be fine with that kind of oil consumption.
07-03-15, 07:02 PM
#84
Lexus Fanatic
07-03-15, 07:12 PM
#85
Most buyers/lessees don't know about the oil consumption until and if they read the owners manual.
Not a very good situation as how many MB owners check their new vehicle's oil with 2K miles on it and it's down 3 qts according to the manual.
Last edited by Joeb427; 07-03-15 at 07:30 PM.
07-03-15, 09:14 PM
#86
I've driven Toyotas up to 485,000 miles without an engine overhaul and agree with mmarshall's comments on engine breakin. All the Asian carmakers have had similar breakin instructions since the 1970's and owners who abided by them have ended up with engines that still had low oil consumption (3,000 miles per quart or less) after 400,000 miles.
07-03-15, 09:27 PM
#87
Lexus Fanatic
I've driven Toyotas up to 485,000 miles without an engine overhaul and agree with mmarshall's comments on engine breakin. All the Asian carmakers have had similar breakin instructions since the 1970's and owners who abided by them have ended up with engines that still had low oil consumption (3,000 miles per quart or less) after 400,000 miles.
It also must be said that some Crystler and Dodge diesel engines state in the manual that no break in is required at all. On the other hand, Porsche recommends 2000 mile break in, brake pad break in, tire break in as they claim brand new tires are not as sticky as worn tires (200km).
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 07-03-15 at 09:55 PM.
07-03-15, 09:37 PM
#88
Lexus Fanatic
Perhaps CR should alert everyone that Toyota recommends that owners check the oil at every gas fill up. From what I understand , Toyota salespersons are not informing new buyers that that this is listed in the owners manual.
07-03-15, 11:00 PM
#89
Lexus Fanatic
I don't think needing to add oil between changes is acceptable at all and I agree with CR on this. It is flat out shoddy engineering for a new engine to burn oil in any noticeable amount between oil changes. Heck I have a car that is 25 years old with well over 200k miles and it burns maybe 0.5 liters between changes (3000-4000 miles). So what's the excuse on a new engine?
07-03-15, 11:12 PM
#90
Lexus Fanatic
They have time for that in the LFA's plant probably because of the low production volume. As you note, that would be impractical with mass-production vehicles, especially those produced in huge numbers like Camrys, Accords, F-150s, and Silverados.