Debating on high mileage oil....

Pennzoil motor oil
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daves87rs

daves87rs

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It's been a pretty rough winter. So I've been checking the oil a bunch this winter, with the wife's car being of most concern. I've had issues checking it the last few weeks, and finally got the poor thing to sit on a level surface. At least I didn't have to freak out that it had no oil! The part that saddened me a bit though was for the first time in 11 years, she burned about half a quart. Car has never burned before, and has dined of synthetics for 10 of those years.

While I'm sure it was due to the extreme cold, it has me debating a switch to a High Mileage oil. (something I have never done) I've always run a regular oil, even at higher mileage. But to the age (11 years) miles (91k) and another month of really cold weather, it truly couldn't hurt.

My thoughts are trying M1 again (this time in High Mileage) or maxlife full syn. Thoughts?
 
I think it would be easier and less confusing for people if the oil companies would just go ahead and put seal conditioners in all the oil. . . that way people wouldn't have to worry about it.
 
Originally Posted By: gregk24
How much is it burning, If its a quart or less per OCI, just top it off


A bit less than half a quart.

Not sure I would want to top off with synthetic though....
 
Maxlife all the way since your main reason for being interested in High Mileage oil is sudden consumption. I'd just go with the standard syn blend though, it's that good.
 
I've had that happen to me. I added the oil, after the next change, checked it like every time I thought about it and it hasn't happened again since. That was a coupke of years ago. Right now, I don't add any between changes.
 
Originally Posted By: johnachak
I've had that happen to me. I added the oil, after the next change, checked it like every time I thought about it and it hasn't happened again since. That was a coupke of years ago. Right now, I don't add any between changes.



True. I've run the last few changes on Quaker State Ultimate Durability, an oil it really seems to like. I kinda would like to keep it going on it. (that, and a few a few more oil changes lined up for it)

I could be jumping the gun here, as even in all its years, and has not seem such an extreme winter...
 
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I think it would be easier and less confusing for people if the oil companies would just go ahead and put seal conditioners in all the oil. . . that way people wouldn't have to worry about it.


All oils contains seal conditioners. HMs just contain more of it.
 
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: johnachak
I've had that happen to me. I added the oil, after the next change, checked it like every time I thought about it and it hasn't happened again since. That was a coupke of years ago. Right now, I don't add any between changes.



True. I've run the last few changes on Quaker State Ultimate Durability, an oil it really seems to like. I kinda would like to keep it going on it. (that, and a few a few more oil changes lined up for it)

I could be jumping the gun here, as even in all its years, and has not seem such an extreme winter...


Dave...

A member named Clevy has had great success using a product called Liqui Moly Motor Oil Saver... Take a look at some of his posts

Motor Oil Saver

Costs about $8 at Napa

Throw a can in a warm engine either now or next oil change.

As for Mobil vs MaxLife, Maxlife gets very strong reviews here. A 5 qt jug at Walmart runs about $18 if you can't find a coupon.

Treating with either or both won't do any harm, IMO, and you may have caught it early enough to realize quick results.

Good luck
 
I have switched to MaxLife in my work AWD Aerostars, Explorers and Passport..Most well over 100,000 miles. Two over 225,000 miles. One over 265,000 miles. No problems what so ever. No oil added between 5,000 mi OCI. The oil? Can't say for sure...but it did seem to do no harm...Highly recommended.
 
Top it off with a quality name brand api certified oil and keep doing what you're doing. It might be a fluke but a little consumption is good because you get to refresh your additives.

My Buick didn't burn a drop of oil in the last 5600 mile OCI and that made me overfill it slightly a couple thousand ago to get the additive refresh I was after!
 
If you are close to your OCI timeframe, I would not worry about a top off. A half quart low and you should still be in the safe zone on the dipstick. I probably would go for a High Mileage oil for the next change and see if that did anything for consumption. It cant really hurt anything. If it continues to consume some oil, then you know that you need to monitor it regularly.
 
Coupons.com still has $6 off two 5 quart jugs of any Valvoline product (including MaxLife) at Walmart...if you decide to go in that direction. I use MaxLife in my beater and like it.
 
Hi Dave
smile.gif

What is the OCI mileage?

I have noticed a slight burnoff with Quaker State Ultimate Durability(I like it too) in my wifes Lexus beyond the 5K OCI. Where with others,(mostly my own syn/dino mix), there is no loss of oil between those same mileage OCI's

I wouldn't use HM's just yet(though, they are good oils) as it could be synthetic related or specific syn...or maybe the excessive idling in the wintertime.

Just my .02cents
 
Last edited:
We LOVE ML for higher mileage fleet trucks, quiets them down and they use no or much less oil.

I found ML here and if I never get another tidbit I would be pleased with that one.

Great oil IMO...
 
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
Hi Dave
smile.gif

What is the OCI mileage?

I have noticed a slight burnoff with Quaker State Ultimate Durability(I like it too) in my wifes Lexus beyond the 5K OCI. Where with others,(mostly my own syn/dino mix), there is no loss of oil between those same mileage OCI's

I wouldn't use HM's just yet(though, they are good oils) as it could be synthetic related or specific syn...or maybe the excessive idling in the wintertime.

Just my .02cents




Currently she's just a tad over 5k now. It very well could be the extra idling, as I'm sure my wife warms it up before she takes my son to school.

That, and I should change it before the next polar vortex....
 
I would keep using the Quaker State Ultimate Durability especially if you still have some in your stash left to use. Plus,.5 quart consumption isn't bad at all. And Quaker State Ultimate Durability is an awesome oil.
 
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