Change viscosity?

[2001Corolla]

I have a 2001 Toyota corolla with 170,000 kilometers. The recommended oil is 5w30, but it burns about a litre or so per oil change (5000km). The local parts store recommended 10w30 to reduce oil consumption, and it helps, but does not eliminate having to add oil. The current oil is Mobil. My 93 D21 Nissan, on the other hand has never burnt anything.

Would switching to 10w40 be a good choice? Or should I consider 15w40 for the spring/summer/fall and use 10w40 for winter? Would a HDEO like Rotella be a better choice? I live in British Columbia, Canada and the temperature ranges from -15C to about 40C.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

 

[stenerson]

A litre per oci aint too bad. I'd stick with 5w30.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

That engine should not require anything more than a 10w30 in the summer. Maybe try a different brand High Mileage oil, guys up here like the 10w30 Quaker State High Mileage redbottle. Dont overfill - that will just burn off that top 1/2 litre quicker. Dont forget to check you PCV system to insure its functioning properly.

 

[qship1996]

just add the litre per oil change using the correct viscosity as per owners manual.

 

[BobFout]

I'd be concerned why it was burning that much oil with so few km and over such a short interval. I would track down why it was burning oil instead of changing viscosity.

 

[jstutz]

I would stick to the 10w30 and not worry about it. That consumption is not bad.

 

[Panzerman]

I wouldnt hesitate to put 15w40 oil in there. That is some tough oil and although everyone is terrified of thick oil, My parents used nothing but 15w40 in all their cars and vans, without any problems in very cold PA winters. I was with a guy about two weeks ago and he had a Dodge Caravan with 230,000 miles on it and it ran like a top and I asked him what oil he used and I was surprised to hear Castrol GTX 20w50 since he bought it new. The 15w40 oil is really a good oil designed for very extreme circumstances and to resist burning off like conventional motor oils.

 

[tomcat27]

for a Japanese engine, that consumption rate is bad. for that specific engine (the toyota 1.8) it's my understanding that the rings are the likely problem - although it will last a very long time as long as you keep the oil filled. I would stick with 5w30 in winter and 10w30 in summer. "high mileage" oils help when the issue is seals, but not much when its rings

 

[beast3300]

Use the recommended viscosity. There is no mechanic in a bottle. Maintain the oil level and drive many many more miles on the engine. 5w30 is fine.

 

[KW]

Mobil 1 0W40 might help some with the oil burning.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Pennzoil High Mileage bronze bottle has a much higher viscosity than sim weight GF4 yellow bottle, it will help. Most current 5w30 are borderline 20w "water". High Mileage will help. You know how thin the 5w30 is in the store when you slosh the bottle? - what your seeing is a "thick" fluid over 100cSt - yes one-hundred! It will thin down to an (almost) non-viscous 10cSt when warm. The couple cSt higher running viscosity of a GOOD High Mileage oil will help. Some High Mileage oils are garbage.

 

[addyguy]

Those engines burn oil, but they run forever if kept topped-up.

Give a High Mileage oil a try, like GTX High Mileage, or Pennzoil High Mileage mentioned above. It might help, but if it doesn't, don't worry about it - just keep topping up regular 10w30.

 

[Alex38]

I also agree about trying a High Mileage Oil, GTX High Mileage, Pennzoil High Mileage, Quaker State High Mileage or MaxLife would be good places to start.