Scotty
I own a 2007 Camry Hybrid with 160K miles. The car has been serviced every 3K miles and runs great. However, it is one of those 4 cylinder models with weak piston rings that burns a quart of conventional oil every 1K miles. I want to try to protect the catalytic converter from an early demise because of this excessive oil consumption. No check engine light for this issue--yet. And I really don't want to go to the trouble of removing the catalytic converter and cleaning it with liquid soap and water at this point.
I need your opinion on three questions, please:
- The owner's manual calls for 0W20 or 5W20 oil. Would using a thicker oil such as 5W30 in the warm months in Colorado reduce oil consumption noticeably?
- If so, are there any disadvantages using 5W30 oil, such as putting potentially put other engine parts like crankshaft bearings at risk of early failure?
- How often should I use the catalytic converter chemical cleaner that goes in the gas tank as a preventive measure?
Really appreciate what you do for us!!!
Thicker oil would make it burn a little bit less oil. But there's nothing you can do from a clogging up the catalytic converter. Though. My grandson has a Camry with the well-burning engine. Even driving it 5 years that way and it's still runs perfectly fine and the check engine light isn't even on
Thanks for your advice, Scotty.
Thanks for your advice, Scotty.