High Mileage oil question

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I understand the need for a High Mileage oil in some applications. I use it in both of my vehicles. It has reduced oil consumption in my 2009 Chrysler T&C. Reading Pennzoil's website, it stated that "7 out of 10 vehicles require synthetic motor oil". When you click on the Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage bottle, it says "for vehicles that have reached 75000 miles". Now, lets say a new vehicle that "required" synthetic oil did indeed receive it and it was changed conservatively. Synthetics are also supposed to keep engines cleaner. That said, why the need for a High Mileage oil? I would think there would be no need for a High Mileage oil in a vehicle that had used synthetics consistently and secondly, that the bar for "high mileage" would be higher given the use of synthetic oils in the first place.
 
Pay no attention to the 75K mark it doesn't make any sense. An engine runs synthetic its whole life that is supposed to prevent wear, keep seals pliable and engines clean but at 75,001 miles you need a High Mileage oil?
That instantly pegs the B.S.meter.
 
OTOH, there's nothing to stop you from running it earlier than 75K, either, it's not going to hurt anything, it'll do anything a standard conventional oil can do.
 
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
OTOH, there's nothing to stop you from running it earlier than 75K, either, it's not going to hurt anything, it'll do anything a standard conventional oil can do.


+1



_________________________
2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS, 1.8L
NAPA Synthetic 5W-20
Purolator Synthetic Oil Filter #PSL-14459
Hastings Engine Air Filter #AF1511

2011 Ford Focus SE, 2.0L
Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5W-20
Motorcraft Oil Filter #FL-910S
Motorcraft Engine Air Filter #FA-1890
 
just my experience with it. i run valvoline 10/30 standard oil in my 93 toyota 22RE. it now has 356,xxx miles. i was sucked up into the high mileage oil. got the valvoline red bottle and it made my toyota leak like a siv. and it burned oil. switched back to standard conventional oil. no leaks no more burning oil.
 
As engines reach the 100K mark, they sometimes develop weeps and seeps and some valve train noise (or other noises). So the best course of action is to try a few different things. Looking for an HTHS that makes the motor happy (noise wise) and an add pak that matches need. If you don't need it, don't use it...

For those of us with 213K and counting, it might make sense. I use a lot of HDEO's in engines over 100K. If I see weeping seals, I'll use HM instead. Sometimes it helps, sometimes no difference ...

But, you had to change the oil anyway, so what's the harm in trying
smile.gif


Mobil 1 High Mileage gets good marks from lots of folks. Same for Maxlife. I dunno about the others...
 
It's just a slightly better additive package. (And usually code for syn blend if it doesn't say)
 
I have no knock against syn-blends. True synthetic ester or PAO's are not that easy to come by (ex: Motul 300V Ester). Most of what's out there is a syn-blend by most folks reasoning ...
 
My understanding is that even though synthetics do a better job of cleaning and keeping seals pliable, there is still the inevitable wear and tear on the seals that occurs due to age and exposure. With conventional oil, 75K would be the approximate mileage where you might start seeing significant benefit from the seal conditioners in a high mileage oil. However, using High Mileage oil before 75K is not a problem either as Valvoline states that MaxLife can be used at any time. I imagine that in a vehicle that has only seen synthetics, the engine may not see any benefit from a High Mileage oil until many more miles on the odometer.
 
Originally Posted By: otis24
I would think there would be no need for a High Mileage oil in a vehicle that had used synthetics consistently and secondly, that the bar for "high mileage" would be higher given the use of synthetic oils in the first place.


Yeah, but even a car which has run high quality oils for it's entire life eventually shows it's age.

My old Lexus is approaching 300,000 miles and I recently switched to High Mileage oil due to a very slight valve cover leak and some smoking in the mornings.

I switched to Valvoline MaxLife full synthetic, and after 3500 miles there has been no smoking, no leaks, and no consumption.
 
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