The problem was with low friction piston rings getting clogged up over time causing oil to seep past them and burn in the cylinder. Some vehicles were affected more than others and I would say maintenance can make a big difference. All 2AZ-FE engines that take 0W20 or 5W20 have these rings. There were the older 2AZ-FE engines like in the 2006 TC that only take 5W20 and those did not have those low friction piston rings. Anyhow, with good maintenance, like you do, you can go a very long way without having any issues. It is not uncommon to see these older XB's with 200,000 plus mile on them. Some will burn a quart in 1,000 miles and others will burn a half a quart in 3,000 miles. If the car has been well cared for it usually will be in the lower end. Since you are very structed on the oil change and drive so little, I would not even worry about this issue at all. You will most likely be able to drive 300,00 miles without burning no more oil than a BMW lol.

 

Thanks for the input. Yes, we drive very little these days (I am 80, my wife is 71 and somewhat crippled), and I would imagine that both cars will still be viable and in excellent shape when both of us are on the wrong side of the grass. Both also live in our garage most of the time, so they look like new. They always impress my favored service rep at my Toyota dealer. The only problem one of them has had is a headlight switch knob that has detached internally. I plan on getting the assembly replaced at the next service appointment.

Admittedly, it is a bit much that something as simple as that knob detaching requires pulling the steering wheel and airbag and even the windshield wiper stalk on the other side of the assembly to fix. Still, this is all that has ever been a problem with either car. Odd, that knob pulling loose from inside its stalk, but at least with the assistance of some Scotch tape to secure the thing, the control still works.

Howard

 

Thanks for the input. Yes, we drive very little these days (I am 80, my wife is 71 and somewhat crippled), and I would imagine that both cars will still be viable and in excellent shape when both of us are on the wrong side of the grass. Both also live in our garage most of the time, so they look like new. They always impress my favored service rep at my Toyota dealer. The only problem one of them has had is a headlight switch knob that has detached internally. I plan on getting the assembly replaced at the next service appointment.

Admittedly, it is a bit much that something as simple as that knob detaching requires pulling the steering wheel and airbag and even the windshield wiper stalk on the other side of the assembly to fix. Still, this is all that has ever been a problem with either car. Odd, that knob pulling loose from inside its stalk, but at least with the assistance of some Scotch tape to secure the thing, the control still works.

Howard

Yeah the engineers who design, a lot of times make problems for the mechanics who have to fix them. That happens a lot nowadays, as cars have gotten more complicated and stuffed with more electronics and gizmos. The XB is a good car that will last a long time and you have nothing to worry about. Sometimes there are just those odd things that break in any car and that just seemed to happen to you with the headlight stalk. Even though it sounds like a lot of work it will not take the mechanic long to do that.

It wasn't long ago I changed my lower control arm bushings and I knew that one side required me to drop the transmission pan because there was not enough clearance to get the one bolt out. That was an engineers mind that designed that to be that way not a mechanic. So, I simply planned to drop my transmission oil pan and replace my transmission filter at the same time since I had to go though all that to get one bolt out. I have about 180,000 miles and it was due for its transmission fluid change anyhow, so it all worked out

 

Gen 2 oil issue. it is known among most xB owners that the second generation 2.4 engine (in the 2008 to 2015 models) has a tendency to use oil once it gets above 50-60K miles on it. Something to do with defective original pistons.

I change my oil very frequently with both of my 2015 xB models (my wife and I own two), and I mean frequently, because for the last three or four years we average about 1500 miles a year with each and take them to the dealer for regular service at six-month intervals. Both cars now have a bit more than 20K miles on them.

Toyota will supposedly replace the problematic pistons under warranty if the problem gets serious, replacing the pistons with better ones. My question involves the date when Toyota realized they had a problem with the 2.4 engine, and whether, sometime between 2008 and 2015 they started using the better pistons at the factory. If so, our two 2015 models might not be having the problem up ahead.

If not, well, being retired, we do not drive all that much anyway, and my hope is that the oil being replaced every six months will not have enough road time between changes to be causing problems. We use dealer offeredToyota oil, which supposedly is synthetic from Mobile.

Anybody know whether the latest second-generation models (say, 2014 and 2015) came with the better pistons right from the factory?

Howard

Only the 2008-2011 and a few 2012's had the oil consumption issue. Yes the piston rings were too small, and oil leaked through on those models. Do what I did, check your Vin number and see if there are any recalls on your model. There shouldn't be. Only 2008-2011. You should be fine.