Hey all, so I have a 2003 Highlander with the thirsty-for-oil 4 cylinder. It burns enough for me to add a quart of oil about every 300 miles or so.

I’m due for an oil change, I do it every 3000 miles because it’s a 200k mile car. I’m wondering if I should even change the oil since it’s always topped off with new stuff, or if I should just change the filter and not worry about the oil.

Any advice is appreciated.

  • BeerPizzaGaming@alien.topB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Yes. you need to change the filter as it will get clogged with debris and you want the “older” sludgy oil out of the system before it can cause issues. There may also be some particulate that you will extract from the oil draining as well.
    If oil consumption is severe enough it is time to consider repairing the engine.

  • burningbun@alien.topB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    i asked the same question and answer is yes. but since you frequently add fresh oil you can do it abit later but gunks in oil filter still builds up.

  • Realdogxl@alien.top
    cake
    B
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    My 97 Toyota paseo burns And leaks approx 1 quart every 600 miles, been this way for as long as I can remember. I try to change the filter once a year if I remember. About to hit 200k no real issues in the 10 years I’ve had it, though I would recommend changing the filter more regularly as I’ve likely lowered the lifespan.

  • Federal-Effect-8201@alien.topB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    There was a very small video study done with 2 experiments. One with dirty oil, clean filter and the other is clean oil with dirty filter.

    One has to be better than the other, the one that came out as a clear winner was the old oil, new filter. It’ll be closer to 3x more effective to have a clean filter versus an old filter as opposed to the oil being clean and filter dirty, it seems to have 0 benefits as the clean oil is running through a dirty filter.

  • Taste_Diligent@alien.topB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    I’ve been in this situation. I just swap out the filter at decent intervals, top up the oil and move on with life.

  • indimedia@alien.topB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Make sure you get an electric car next, burning through that much oil is destroying your catalytic converters and the environment. New Toyotas will not last as long as your old one did.

  • Ptards_Number_1_Fan@alien.topB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    You might want to try using a 5w20 full synthetic to clear out the oil return holes in the pistons. That’s the cause of the oil consumption most likely. And put in a bottle of Berryman Chem tool in the oil 100 miles before changing it. That’s what a lot of people have done to reduce consumption.

    • B00_Sucker@alien.topB
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      Run it until you hear the CRRZZZZZRRRRRRRSCRRRRRRRRR sound of the oil change alarm, and then just fill 'er up again!