So far the engine design has been very reliable on the whole. It has been in production for six years now and every year there are more and more models which feature it as the base/sole engine option. There have been some issues which have been corrected. The only known concern to really be aware of is fuel dilution. But the dilution issues have not manifested into any kind of wide spread problems as of yet. Other than it just is.
I am getting same mileage in my 2023 rav4 LE, currently with 5w30 PUP. Next up is 5w30 Kirkland as my summer intervals are too short for premium oil. I am going to blend 0w20PP 0w30 euro lx for our very cold winter. Initially had full 0w30 Euro after the ff drain but am concerned it is a bit too much during cold weather short trips and worsens winter mpg unnecessarily. Not sure if higher calcium is too much considering its a part time direct injection.
I’d recommend UOAs to verify the status of the oil as appearance alone can only tell so much. Collecting this data can help you to develop a plan to hopefully mitigate the dilution. Without good data it is all just guesswork more or less.
How do you know that’s from fuel dilution? It looks more like coolant contamination to me.
Why would you intentionally thin the oil during the winter when fuel dilution is most likely worse?
Those same people are quick to complain about gas prices!
Could be condensation. Possibly from the ICE cycling on and off constantly. This is why I don’t believe that hybrids should go longer on oil changes as a general rule. Yes, the ICE is running less time per mile but it also cycles more often. Which is the same as short tripping IMO.
Coolant level doesn't move one bit and oil reeks of gasoline!! I'm putting the blame on a cold engine and direct injection at least until i know better. Didn't had that much of an issue with my 2021 Prime that didn't had direct injection and a much smaller HV battery.
Well that might answer it. I just have seen fuel diluted oil before and it wasn’t as milky/muddy as that.
Agreed. Muddy oil has always been due to water in my experience. But if it’s really bad fuel then who knows.
I have sent oil samples through Canada Post in the past with no issues. Although once I started using Wearcheck I was dropping off the samples right at their lab in Burlington. I used to work five minutes away from the lab.
Not to mention all the extra pollution. Idling after a cold start is when it's the worst.
We’ll see what I end up running. Ideally I’m looking for an off the (Canadian Tire) shelf 0w30 that is SP of which there is only Mobil1. While not a small displacement TGDI engine, this 2.5L lugs a bit in eco/normal mode.
