Any reason not to switch to a HM oil?

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I've spent the better part of the last hour reading about HM oils on the forum, and now I just need some opinions. I just passed 75,000 miles on my 09 Tacoma that I have owned for about a year. My last two changes were Mobil 1 synthetic with a Mobil 1 filter. I've always said that I would switch to Mobil 1 HM when I hit 75,000 miles, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just stay with standard Mobil 1 synthetic. Are there any negatives to switching to a HM oil? I have no known leaks or oil consumption. Any advice is appreciated.
 
I use HM oil for cars that use oil, leak, or are known to be hard on their oils like Toyotas that sludge, turbos, etc...

Other than that I use regular oil.

For your truck I would use the cheapest name brand oil in the weight unless it had problems you did not list.
 
Despite what oil companies tell us, 75,000 is not high mileage. What you are doing now is fine. If it was seeping oil, or consumption was increasing, then I would switch over to HM oil.
 
If you start running HM oil now what are you going to run when/if you get a little leak. 75K is just getting broke in good these days.
 
Don't HM oils prevent seals from developing leaks in the first place? If so, it makes sense to use them before leaks appear.

OTOH, will a good synthetic prevent seals from deteriorating?

I've been wondering the same thing as the OP. My car has 120K with no leaks currently.
 
Originally Posted By: Jimzz
I use HM oil for cars that use oil, leak, or are known to be hard on their oils like Toyotas that sludge, turbos, etc...

Other than that I use regular oil.

For your truck I would use the cheapest name brand oil in the weight unless it had problems you did not list.

You mean that one v6 toyo engine that hasn't been in production since like 14 years ago?
 
Originally Posted By: shiny
Don't HM oils prevent seals from developing leaks in the first place? If so, it makes sense to use them before leaks appear.

OTOH, will a good synthetic prevent seals from deteriorating?

I've been wondering the same thing as the OP. My car has 120K with no leaks currently.

All oils do that.
 
Originally Posted By: shiny
Don't HM oils prevent seals from developing leaks in the first place? If so, it makes sense to use them before leaks appear.

OTOH, will a good synthetic prevent seals from deteriorating?

I've been wondering the same thing as the OP. My car has 120K with no leaks currently.
HM oil stops leaks by swelling the seals. If it's not leaking there is no benefit to doing such things. It likely puts increased stress on all the seals causing additional wear you wouldn't have had before. I wouldn't use them on a engine that doesn't leak.
 
Today's HM oils are using much better seal conditioners and do in fact prevent leaks. You can use them in new cars as well although not needed. Valvoline specifically states you can use MaxLife in a new car.

ALL oils have seal conditioners. HM oils just have added seal conditioners that won't do any harm but can help reduce and prevent leaks.

I'd wait a while longer though and maybe switch over around 100k miles.
 
I only use HM oils if I have a car that is leaking that I do not want to fix due to age. Only my 20 year old Buick with 196k miles on it currently falls in this category. Maxlife has slowed the leak so it is tolerable. I've fixed the leaks on my Suburban (13 years old, 144k miles). I only ever had a valve cover gasket leak on my 2001 Grand Prix when I had it (a leak I did fix) and it was drip free at 230k miles. Never used HM oils on it. Don't use them unless you need them in my opinion. IMO, 75k miles is nearly new, and a 6 year old vehicle is not that old anymore.
 
Mobil 1 HM is not approved for use in your 2009 Tacoma. It doesn't meet specs. It's only approved for vehicles 2004 or older. It is API SL for 04 & older, your truck will require SM or the latest SN. Use Valvoline Full Synthetic MaxLife if you can find it & you really want a full synthetic. Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage Full Synthetic is still hitting stores slowly. I'd probably just stick with regular Mobil 1 in your vehicle.

EDIT: It wouldn't be a bad idea to use a high mileage at 75,000 to prevent future leaks. I'm waiting patiently for Platinum High Mileage to hit shelves to use in my F-250 nearing 75,000. My Fusion had a valve cover gasket leak at 100,000 that I fixed. It was seeping oil at the crankshaft seal occasionally but I'm 1,500 miles on a run of the MaxLife synthetic blend & it isn't leaking.
 
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I use the high mileage oils because their add packs are more robust. Valvoline MaxLife high mileage synthetic blend 5w-20 and 5w30 are Dexos-1 and ILSAC GF-5 rated, so I am sure MaxLife will not damage your engine.
 
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Originally Posted By: zach1900
Originally Posted By: Jimzz
I use HM oil for cars that use oil, leak, or are known to be hard on their oils like Toyotas that sludge, turbos, etc...

Other than that I use regular oil.

For your truck I would use the cheapest name brand oil in the weight unless it had problems you did not list.

You mean that one v6 toyo engine that hasn't been in production since like 14 years ago?


That was the big one but Toyota had sludge issues in many others. http://www.toyotasludge.com


And I know Valvoline maxlife says you can use it in new cars. So those that want to run HM oil it will not hurt, just has more additives and maybe a little better base than regular oils.
 
No need to use a high mileage oil, you're just getting started.

My Camry is going to roll over 200,000 miles this week. The only reason I'm using a high mileage oil in it, is because it's oil I've had in my garage for a couple years that I bought for $0.50 a quart.

Next oil change is Pennzoil Ultra Platinum.
 
Originally Posted By: Jimzz
And I know Valvoline maxlife says you can use it in new cars.


In fact, Valvoline folks I had a chat with insisted that HM is beneficial for new cars as well. FWIW
 
Originally Posted By: Idlewild294
I've spent the better part of the last hour reading about HM oils on the forum, and now I just need some opinions. I just passed 75,000 miles on my 09 Tacoma that I have owned for about a year. My last two changes were Mobil 1 synthetic with a Mobil 1 filter. I've always said that I would switch to Mobil 1 HM when I hit 75,000 miles, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't just stay with standard Mobil 1 synthetic. Are there any negatives to switching to a HM oil? I have no known leaks or oil consumption. Any advice is appreciated.


Unnecessary expense, if not needed.
 
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