I just did an oil change this weekend on our '22 Highlander. First oil change after a winter of driving about 7500KM. The Pennzoil Ultra Platinum smelled almost like pure gas. It was short tripped and idled through those cold 7500KM. The real kicker was when I drained the used oil back into the 5L jug, I couldn't fit it all back in. Last year I did two oil changes in the warmer weather and was able to fit the 5.5L sump capacity back into the empty 5L jug. There was probably around a cup or slightly more that wouldn't fit into the jug. Probably over 5% fuel dilution.
Once an oil has had fuel in it, I don't think the smell really goes away. I've seen UOA posted and posters claim that even though the oil smelled a lot like fuel, the UOA came back with minimal fuel in oil. These are reports that used establishments other than Blackstone. Taking it out for a nice long weekly one hour drive on the 401 should in theory burn off most of fuel in the oil. Though that method does nothing for the already trashed oil.
Solutions:
1) It's pretty difficult to alter the driving habits. Short tripping isn't ideal especially in cold weather. Altering driving habits by what may be a 15 minute round trip and extending that trip by 30-45 minutes isn't really practical.
2) Use a premium oil like HPL No Vii. This is cost prohibitive. Getting 5 gallons of it into Canada gets into the $400 Canadian range. It still doesn't get rid of the fuel but will help with viscosity break down. Jury is out on this solution. Still would need to change out the oil more frequently (see Solution 3). Unless, taking it out on a weekly one hour plus long drive burns off most of the fuel. This theory would need to be tested and backed up with a proper UOA. If it really solved the issue, the HPL could be run for a year and just do yearly oil changes, making it a little less cost prohibitive.
3) Change the oil more frequently. Use a less expensive oil. Kirkland can be bought at Costco for around $27/4.73L. That's about the least expensive API SP oil I can find. The draw back to this is having to do a change somewhere around January/February which is unfortunately the coldest months of the year. Ottawa is even colder than SW Ontario. Could take it in somewhere to have that change done, just cost more money and I am always suspect of the tech doing the work messing something up.
4) Get an electric car. I've balked at this idea in the past. With people shifting to working from home and Amazon, Walmart and almost every grocery store having home delivery, it may just be the best solution.
Once an oil has had fuel in it, I don't think the smell really goes away. I've seen UOA posted and posters claim that even though the oil smelled a lot like fuel, the UOA came back with minimal fuel in oil. These are reports that used establishments other than Blackstone. Taking it out for a nice long weekly one hour drive on the 401 should in theory burn off most of fuel in the oil. Though that method does nothing for the already trashed oil.
Solutions:
1) It's pretty difficult to alter the driving habits. Short tripping isn't ideal especially in cold weather. Altering driving habits by what may be a 15 minute round trip and extending that trip by 30-45 minutes isn't really practical.
2) Use a premium oil like HPL No Vii. This is cost prohibitive. Getting 5 gallons of it into Canada gets into the $400 Canadian range. It still doesn't get rid of the fuel but will help with viscosity break down. Jury is out on this solution. Still would need to change out the oil more frequently (see Solution 3). Unless, taking it out on a weekly one hour plus long drive burns off most of the fuel. This theory would need to be tested and backed up with a proper UOA. If it really solved the issue, the HPL could be run for a year and just do yearly oil changes, making it a little less cost prohibitive.
3) Change the oil more frequently. Use a less expensive oil. Kirkland can be bought at Costco for around $27/4.73L. That's about the least expensive API SP oil I can find. The draw back to this is having to do a change somewhere around January/February which is unfortunately the coldest months of the year. Ottawa is even colder than SW Ontario. Could take it in somewhere to have that change done, just cost more money and I am always suspect of the tech doing the work messing something up.
4) Get an electric car. I've balked at this idea in the past. With people shifting to working from home and Amazon, Walmart and almost every grocery store having home delivery, it may just be the best solution.
