What is the life expectancy of a Toyota Prius with high mileage?
Some engines give up after 100,000 miles. Some engines can last more than a million miles because of loving and caring owners. There is still some doubt regarding hybrid powertrains’ longevity. YouTube channel speedkar99 took down a Prius motor with approximately half a million km or 310,000 miles.
First, some background. This teardown uses a 2004 Toyota Prius engine. This means that the engine in this teardown is from the 2004 Toyota Prius. The engine is a 1.5-liter unit with an Atkinson Cycle. It doesn’t have a lot of power. It does however make up for this by maximising thermal efficiency.
The NZ’s non-Atkinson Cycle versions also found their way into various Toyota models over the past 20 years. The Toyota Echo, Toyota Yaris and Scion xA are some examples. The 1NZ-FXE has been discontinued, but the NZ engine series can still be found in the JPN Taxi equipped with LPG power.
Now, let’s get to the real deal, the teardown. How does a 2004 Prius engine with 17 years of experience fare? It’s not bad at all, but it still has several hundred thousand miles to go if it gets a little more care.
Let’s start with the good stuff. Speedcar99 noticed the engine’s discoloration. It’s not surprising that the engine has a discoloration over time. However, there were a few things which reduced the engine’s lifespan. It wasn’t getting the proper lubrication because there were clogs in its oil control rings. Over the years carbon has built up, and sludge is evident.
It’s just normal wear and tear that comes with high-mileage engines. This is the best advice. You will be rewarded with years of reliable service if you take care of your car. Although this particular Prius engine may not be as efficient as Irv Gard’s Volvo P1800 with over 200,000 miles, it can still last a lifetime if taken care of properly.