The Heavy-Duty Workhorse: Michelin Defender LTX M/S 2 Review Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Vocheseleon earns from qualifying purchases. This means if you click on a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For truck and SUV owners, the "holy grail" of tires is one that can haul a heavy load on Tuesday, survive a gravel worksite on Thursday, and provide a whisper-quiet highway ride for the family road trip on Saturday. The Michelin Defender LTX M/S (and its upgraded successor, the MS2 ) is the industry standard for this exact balance. Why This Specific Spec Matters: LT265/75R16 In the automotive world, the numbers on the sidewall tell the real story. The model we’re discussing today is a Load Range E (10-ply) tire. Here’s why that’s a "value-add" for your rig: Maximum Payload: With a load index of 123/120 , each tire can support up to 3,415 lbs . If you are towing a boat or hauling a camper, you need this reinfo...
Oil consumption varies by engine type, age, design, and maintenance history. Excessive oil use is almost always caused by mechanical wear, failed seals, or poor combustion efficiency. Below is a full factual breakdown used by mechanics worldwide.
1. Worn Piston Rings (Most Common Global Cause)
Piston rings seal the combustion chamber. When they wear out, oil escapes upward and burns with fuel.
Evidence-Based Indicators
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Blue smoke from exhaust
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Low compression readings
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Oil consumption increasing with RPM
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Spark plugs coated with wet oil deposits
Why It Happens
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High mileage above 150,000–250,000 km
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Low-quality oil
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Overheating episodes
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Long oil change intervals
Confirmed by: Toyota, Honda, BMW, Subaru, Hyundai technical bulletins.
2. Valve Stem Seal Wear
Valve stem seals prevent oil from entering the combustion chamber through the valves. When they harden or crack, oil leaks downward into cylinders.
Symptoms
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Blue smoke during cold starts
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Oil consumption most noticeable during deceleration
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Heavy deposits on intake valves
Scientific Reason
High vacuum during deceleration pulls oil past faulty seals.
3. PCV System Failure
The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve regulates crankcase gases. When clogged, it increases internal pressure and forces oil into the intake.
Facts
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PCV failure is responsible for 20–40% of unexplained oil consumption
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Extremely common in direct-injection engines
Signs
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Oil in air intake hose
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Rough idle
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Higher fuel consumption
4. Cylinder Wall Wear
When the cylinder walls become scratched or tapered, oil control deteriorates.
Measured By:
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Bore gauge inspections
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Compression and leak-down tests
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Endoscope camera inspections
5. Turbocharger Oil Seal Failure
Turbo engines consume more oil due to high temperatures.
Facts
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Turbo oil seals degrade between 120,000–200,000 km
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Oil leaks into both intake and exhaust sides
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Causes blue smoke and rapid oil level drops
6. External Oil Leaks
Common leakage points globally include:
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Valve cover gaskets
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Oil pan gaskets
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Front/rear crankshaft seals
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Camshaft seals
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Oil filter housings
Evidence
If there is no smoke and no internal damage symptoms, external leaks are responsible for 60% of cases.
7. Manufacturer-Related Consumption (Design Flaws)
Some engines are known for factory-level oil usage due to design limitations.
Globally Documented Engines
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Audi/VW 2.0 TFSI (EA888)
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BMW N52, N54
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Toyota 2AZ-FE
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Hyundai 2.4 GDI
These engines consume between 0.5–1 liter per 1,000 km, which is considered “acceptable” by manufacturer standards.
8. Incorrect Oil Viscosity
Using thinner oil than recommended increases consumption.
Facts
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0W-20 burns faster in older engines
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High-mileage engines require thicker oil (e.g., 5W-40 or 10W-40)
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Synthetic oil leaks faster in worn seals
9. Extended Oil Change Intervals
Modern oils last long, but not indefinitely.
Evidence-Based Breakdown
| Oil Type | Realistic Max Distance |
|---|---|
| Conventional | 5,000–6,000 km |
| Semi-synthetic | 7,000–10,000 km |
| Fully synthetic | 10,000–15,000 km |
After these distances, viscosity breakdown increases consumption rates.
Conclusion
Oil consumption is almost always caused by mechanical wear, failed gaskets, PCV issues, or turbo seal failure. Diagnosing involves compression tests, leak-down tests, and visual inspections. Long-term solutions require repairs or engine rebuilds, not additives.
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