While I agree with most of
While I agree with most of your article, there are some things I disagree with. It's known that the Japanese have a high work ethic and thus failure is not an option. We expect quality from the Japanese and it shows in their products, everything from cars to DVD players, etc.
I think the problem is with the American dealership. My 2012 Prius v2 never burnt a drop of oil until I switched dealerships when I switched job locations. I think they were puting standard oil in from the bulk tank rather than the required synthetic. At 130k miles, I started burning oil. I also noticed a lot of detonation when idling forward at a drive thru with the engine running.
I now do my own oil changes, and run premium fuel to help keep the top end clean. Oil consumption is less, about 3 quarts per 10k miles. And now that I'm at 195k miles. I change it every 5k instead of the book recommended 10k interval. My 2012 was purchased new only owned by me, I commute 50 miles to work each way so it's never short tripped. My father is now retired but was an asce certified mechanic as well. From our research, there is a know issue with later model engines....where the relief holes in the Pistons behind the oil rings were drilled too small. This combined with carbon buildup (likely from the wrong oil or cheap oil) causes those holes to plug and amplify the oil burn. Toyota unfortunately won't touch it unless it used 3 quarts in 1200 miles. I like my Prius, but likely won't purchase another. Oh, and I'm still on the original brakes. But it's time to change the 12v battery as fuel mileage has fallen off.