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Our 2008 Toyota Blade with 100,000kms has always burned oil since we have owned it from 60,000kms. Originally about 1 litre per 3000kms but more recently after accurate tests over 6,000kms it burns 1 litre per 2,000kms. It was a Toyota imported (SBT) car and was in perfect condition and it still is and goes very well. I approached Toyota NZ for a comment and they suggest it is probably in need of an overhaul but I could put heavier oil in it to reduce the oil burning. I presently use Valvoline semi syn 5w-30.
That seemed a silly answer as there is no smoke or any leaks and performance is great. I have searched the internet and there are many comments on appropriate websites about Blade oil burning which put the cause down to the small drain holes at the back of the oil ring groove. Evidently a Toyota design fault as the holes eventually block up.
What do you consider a reasonable approach to cure this? Would fully synthetic oil, say 10w-40, be a help to reduce the oil burning? I certainly will not overhaul the motor as the cost could never be economic compared to topping up every 1000kms. Toyota are not interested .

Hi there,
I've not received any complaints about the Blade engines, but there have been the odd report of oil usage in some Toyotas over the years. You could experiment with different oils, the Castrol website lists a few options for the Avensis with the same engine as being able to use a 10W-40 or 5W-30 Magnatec oil. You may find that a synthetic oil would be a bit too much for the engine condition.

In August 2011, Toyota issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) about the defect, which read, “Some 2006-2011 model year vehicles equipped with the 2AZ-FE engine may exhibit engine oil consumption. The piston assembly has been changed to minimize oil consumption.”

I have both a Toyota Blade and a Mark X Zio with affected engine types. Blade appears ok at 140,000 on the clock. However the Mark X had the dealership replace the piston rings due to excessive burn.