[SoCal949]

There have been reports of PHEV owners getting their oil changed on time, and their oil still looks to be extremely contaminated with gasoline.

I know GDI engines have routinely had this problem, but it seems to be pronounced with PHEV's. The problem stems from the ICE not getting warmed up sufficiently while the car is in EV mode.

Every car with an internal combustion engine needs to be driven a sufficient distance at a sufficient speed to burn off the contaminants in the oil from the fuel.

The solution would be to drive the vehicle in ICE only mode (by not charging the EV battery) every few weeks. Here is a sample of the oil drained from a PHEV at the normal service time (taken from FB post). To allow the extreme dilution of the oil would greatly reduce the longevity of the engine.

View attachment 128128 View attachment 128129

I had a Chevy Volt and I would run it in all electric so often that I would go months without using a drop of gas. Every few months the car would automatically run the engine for 5-10 minutes if you hadn’t run it (Engine Maintenance Mode). That’s all it needed. Car and oil was always perfect.

 

[SoCal949]

What is "changed on time" intervals? 10k miles? Do it every 5k miles, oil changes are cheap insurance against engine replacements.

Every 5,000 miles? You do understand how a PHEV works right? My Volt called for oil changes every 2 years if you used the engine rarely, which I did.
Sportage PHEV calls for oil changes every 8,000 miles or 12 months.

 

[SoCal949]

You do know how to read, right? It’s right there in your Owners Manual. Pages 8-9 & 8-13. If you opened your eyes, you would see that dubber09 is from Canada, eh? He/she is SPOT ON changing their oil every 5K mi, as well as probably half the Sportage PHEV owners in the US. Not hard to qualify for the Severe Usage Schedule!…

I mean, if you can’t afford oil changes, why in the heck did you waste your money on the PHEV? You’re never going to get that extra $7K+ back in gas vs electricity savings.

Okay, severe schedule. Got it.

Manual says 8,000 miles or 12 months for PHEV (normal wear). Just telling you what the manual calls for and that PHEV oil does not need to be changed every 5,000 miles.

 

[SoCal949]

And you still don’t get it. Read what qualifies for “Severe Usage” (every 5,000 mi)…

The first sentence I wrote "Okay, severe schedule. Got it."

I've said this before on here, but unfortunately this car doesn't track actual engine miles, so it calls for oil changes potentially WAY sooner than you actually need them, severe or not.

 

[SoCal949]

Thank you for the response. Does the PHEV engine really ever get hot enough to burn off the contaminants if the owner only uses it in EV mode around town? I would not want either gasoline or water in the oil for a prolonged period of time.

Time will tell whether the 1.6T in the PHEV or the HEV will last longer. It's too early to tell.

Doesn't the Tucson PHEV have the exact same engine? It's been out for a while.

 

[SoCal949]

Not sure what is meant by "ICE" mode and PHEV? EV, HEV & PHEV, confused.

Lol NumbNuts