Oil Usage 4.3

[LeighRLFC]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone else is seeing high oil usage with 4.3 RAV4's. All my mileage is "over 75" motorway driving, no town driving at all. I've had the oil level (not pressure) light twice now, so I'm taking note of what's happening. I'm a bit worried that it's going through oil a bit too quick, what do you think?? Please someone put my mind at rest!! I bought the car from new and only use the car at weekends (600+ miles each weekend), but it does seem to be using oil quickly.

Nov 2007 - Bought new

26.01.2008 - 5000 miles - Oil level warning - topped up Toyota Northwich (3 litres)

05.04.2008 - 10398 miles - 1st service - Presumably had an oil change?? - Toyota Twickenham

23.05.2008 - 12700 miles - Oil level warning - topped up Toyota Northwich (dont know how much, they did it for free, so probably not more than a litre or two - the wife took it in and didnt ask)

I was a bit disturbed that I'm getting a warning 2700 miles after a service, so they told me to keep an eye on it, and take it in if oil consumption continues to be this bad, though they did say that the new RAV4 has a reputation for going through oil.

The car has done about 15000 now so I need to check it again. Anyone else out there with a 2.2D 4.3 that uses a lot of oil?

Cheers, Lee

[Fujisan]

26.01.2008 - 5000 miles - Oil level warning - topped up Toyota Northwich (3 litres)

Hi Lee,

I know I should check the engine bay more often but it tends to get looked at every two or three weeks and I've never noticed any excessive oil consumption.

I think I have only put a couple of litres of oil in since having the car.

One litre mid way between services last year (ie six months after I bought the car).

And one litre last month (six months after it's last service)

And to be honest, I don't think they were full litres, something like 3/4's of a litre just to get the level back to the top mark.

The wife's Daihatsu is the one, I've never had to top up the oil in that car's engine in four years of ownership!

Wash it, pump the tyre's up but never any oil!

[anchorman]

Yours is obviously a business hack as your getting through some mileage. Don't worry too much in this case as it might not have been topped up at the service. If the dealer is using fully synthetic change to semi synthetic as consumption will be lower. Make sure you top it up on level ground to the top mark (after it has been stood for at least 15 mins).

At the next change make sure it is filled with all semi-synthetic and by checking it weekly you will get a feel for usage. It may always use some oil but it will settle down with mileage.

[ash7jar]

Yer i have a Rav T180 and it go's though a sump of oil every 5 to 6 thousand miles

Told dealer about it said it was normal!

[john1944]

Yer i have a Rav T180 and it go's though a sump of oil every 5 to 6 thousand miles

Told dealer about it said it was normal!

My XTR diesel does not even need the oil level checking. I would say you have a problem which needs sorting out. If nothing else, the cost of the oil is something you can do with out with fuel prices being so high.

As regards the T 180, are you sure your oil is not seeping out into your run-flats !!!!!

[bothwell_buyer]

Gies a break - the landrover uses so much oil that its cheaper to pour in sun tan lotion! Boots - buy 1 get 1 free! Tried olive oil mix but thats no use. Now thinking of refining the bathroom sludge, cos thats wot looks likes in the coolant!

[shcm]

Leigh,

I'm sad enough to check the oil every week and I can say that it does use a little - more than 4.2 did - its level never moved between oil changes. Some on here may question whether mine is just leaking, but I'm certain it's not.

It doesn't bother me, perhaps it is a very tiny annoyance, but I'm not going to loose sleep over it.

Having said that, Moonstone Mart, outlined a problem with the 2AD engine in this thread (and he should know!):

http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74442

so best keep an eye on it.

Of course, Mr T covers himself if you look in your handbook (page 313ish?). Anything less than 1l per 600 miles is OK apparently. Not sure I'd like that too much!

As an aid to checking the consumption, the handbook also reckons that the approx difference between the min and max dipstick marks is about 1.6l, if that helps.

Cheers

[Bernie H]

Glad someone else brought this up.

I had to top mine up after 2nd service, @ `18000 miles, but curiously, not after 1st service. Was a bit worried about it, but it seems that the T180 does use more than my 4.2 did.

[Robert6920]

I check the oil in my 2.0l petrol regularly - and in the 9000 km I've driven since new (a mix of mainly motorway commute, some town and country) it's only needed one litre of oil (spread over two top ups) My better half's 4.2 1.8l petrol has used 1 litre of oil in the 7000 km she's driven since we got it earlier this year (with 17000km on the odo at that point)

My Blackbird uses about 500ml of fully synthetic every 1000 km (but it does accelerate very very quickly )

[LeighRLFC]

Thanks for all the replies on this, the oil level light flicked on again the other day, took it back in and they've put another 2 litres in (charged 12 quid). Ｉknow I could do it myself, but I want proof if Toyota ever try blaming me for not keeping the oil levels up if this becomes a more serious problem.

I got the usual "Expect to use 1 litre per 1000 miles" disclaimer but I could be using a litre and a bit every fortnight at this rate. Anyway, they said to keep an eye on it - which I am.

Someone mentioned this being a company car, it's not, its all mine which is why I'm taking extra care - I work hundreds of miles from where I live, so Friday＆Sunday is when the car is used most (at all), and the mileage is done then.

14943 miles now, so I'm using exactly a litre per 1000 miles.

I'll keep you all informed with this little distraction of mine as it unfolds. Heres hoping it gets better with mileage, but I'll tell you what, the oil level warning is a good invention, anyone know when it's set to come on. All the times I've had it, it's only been on for a fraction of a second, then I've had it round Mr T's in a shot. Thanks for the advice about semi-synth - I'll get them to use that in on it's 20K service.

Cheers, Lee