Prius MPG

[The Atomic Ass]

This thread caused me to check the top 10 hybrid list... To discover that I'm on it.

[roflwaffle]

I have a 2005 and a 2007, and both use some oil between changes. I sent the oil from the 2005 in for analysis, and the oil consumption isn't based on wear. Because it seems to be related to load when driving, and because the car that was beat on a little more (2007) uses more, my guess is that it's from plugged oil return holes in the pistons/sticky oil rings. The 2ZR-FE had a TSB for it, so I wouldn't be surprised to see it on other engines.

http://www.rav4world.com/tsb/2011/T-SB-0094-11.pdf

Knock on wood, my wife's plug-in Prius doesn't burn a drop of oil with ~12k-15k OCIs (~10k-12k on gas). My feeling is it won't be an issue as long as I use a decent synthetic and don't go too long between oil changes.

In terms of quality, the 2005 is better than the 2007, but that's mostly because it's a higher trim level (V versus III) and because it's been treated better.

[Magician]

I don’t know exactly how... but I had cleaned the EGR valve and oil consumption stayed the same after many tanks of
Fuel. I have changed the oil a few times with short oil ntervals... 3-4K miles each time... and now consumption seems to have slowed quite a bit. I’ve driven 650 miles and the oil level has barely moved. Previously it would have used 1/2 quart in 650 miles... I’ll have to keep an eye on this as I’m a bit skeptical on this and how it could be improved.

[Magician]

I figured out the oil burning mystery... on long road trips where the engine stays warm it doesn't really burn much oil... but the city driving and with the engine cooling and warming many times... this is when she burns it. Just an aged engine, but she runs like a champ otherwise.

[broski499]

My mechanic owns a prius as well and said that when using B-Mode extensively down hills or just in general it can cause the engine to use of oil. Something to keep in mind if using the B-mode down hills.

[Magician]

I’ve only used B Mode once... I don’t live in the mountains, I just have either worn rings or carbon filled rings...

[redpoint5]

I'm at about 80,000 miles with practically no oil use observed on 12,000 mile oil change intervals. Then again, 3,600 (30%) of those miles are EV with the engine off. I'm also avoiding wear from from the harshest driving conditions by using EV mode; the short trips where the engine doesn't come up to full operating temperature.

I've only used B-mode once in my PiP while coming down from Yosemite. I was able to fully recharge about 3 kWh back into the battery and still had a lot of downhill to go. B-mode uses engine compression to bleed off speed, which reduces the burden on the brakes.

[Magician]

Redpoint5

I looked at the Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator...

My Civic VX seems to destroy the Electric Vehicle comparison. Yes my VX costs more to fuel up, but the extremely low cost of ownership trumps the electric car so badly that I'd have to own the electric for over 30-40 years years to break even... and that's assuming no battery replacement, which isn't reality.
In a ten year period, my cost of ownership in total is $11,250.00 using all points you have in these calculations. Note: I do all of my own maintenance, but to be honest, there's been very little. I probably saved a few grand doing the work myself.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Magician

Redpoint5

I looked at the Gas and Electric Vehicle Cost of Ownership Calculator...

My Civic VX seems to destroy the Electric Vehicle comparison. Yes my VX costs more to fuel up, but the extremely low cost of ownership trumps the electric car so badly that I'd have to own the electric for over 30-40 years years to break even... and that's assuming no battery replacement, which isn't reality.
In a ten year period, my cost of ownership in total is $11,250.00 using all points you have in these calculations. Note: I do all of my own maintenance, but to be honest, there's been very little. I probably saved a few grand doing the work myself.

That's why I created the spreadsheet, so that people could get a reasonable estimation of cost of ownership rather than go on their hunch, which usually is just something a person says to feel justified in purchasing the thing they had wanted all along.

Depreciation is by far the #1 cost for most people. You fight depreciation by owning a low cost car in the first place. The tradeoff is missing out on some of the improvements in technology and infotainment.

Generally though, when comparing an EV to the same year equivalent ICE, the EV will cost less over the course of a rather lengthy period of ownership. If someone commutes long distances regularly, the EV more quickly pays back the premium paid to purchase it.

I do all my own maintenance too, and don't own an EV. My vehicle cost of ownership is a fraction of what most people pay since I never buy new, do my own maintenance, carry liability only insurance, and buy reliable vehicles.

Heck, I've got my bike hanging from the rafters of the garage right now in preparation to check valve clearances. Something a bike shop charges $700 to do (on a $2,000 bike).

Here's the link to my thread on the subject so we don't derail yours:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/vehicle-total-cost-ownership-calculator-36087.html

[Magician]

Understood and actually like the calculator as it really does take all into consideration.