HM OIL; To use or not to use...

[BTW]

Hi all,

New here and have a question.

Ive taken over the maintenance on my brother's 1999 Nissan Frontier with 138,xxx miles on it. This vehicle has been abused and not taken care of regularly. Ive recently done a full tune up (I think the fuel filter was original, seriously...) and couple of oil changes so far at 6 mos./2.5k-3k mile intervals with Pennzoil Conventional 5w30.

Now he wants to start using High Mileage oil. Why? I have no Idea, the engine doesn't leak a drop. He told me that he picked up a jug of MaxLife to use on the next oil change. I know MaxLife is good but I have never used High Mileage oil in any car regardless of mileage and am a little concerned that if I start using it it I'll be beholden to High Mileage oil from here on out. I was planning on using Pennzoil Gold.

What do you think? Am I being overly concerned?

BTW, the truck runs like a top now, best emissions test he's had in years. The only thing I haven't addressed is the PVC valve. Apparently on these engines it is VERY hard to access.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I'd be inclined to use Pennzoil high mileage. I keep reading here that high mileage oil are "stronger" than their regular counterparts.

 

[Greasymechtech]

Use it. Not an issue.

High Mileage oil is great for any age car. I've used it in brand new engines. No problems. I've used it in old tired engines. No problems.

 

[jdavis]

Originally Posted By: BTW
if I start using it it I'll be beholden to High Mileage oil from here on out.


Yes, definitely be extra cautious here. You do not want to leave the High Mileage oil in very long as the engine's brain will start to develop a tolerance for it and before you realize it you're in full blown addiction mode where it will be burning of a ton of the High Mileage oil just to make you keep putting more in during the OCI because it's addition is growing.

Do not start down this road man, get him an intervention NOW.

 

[bigt61]

Unless it's using or leaking oil, I'd personally pass on the High Mileage oil. Save it for when you need it.

 

[Nissan101]

I dont really like the High mileage versions of oil...if there is no leaks or alot of burnoff HM is not needed

 

[greenbalot]

It's a feel good thing. High mileage oil for a "high mileage engine"

If the engine has been neglected, I'm sure the switch to high mileage oil wouldnt be the reason for any problems that might arise in the future.

 

[Spector]

Originally Posted By: bigt61
Unless it's using or leaking oil, I'd personally pass on the High Mileage oil. Save it for when you need it.


Agree, wait until it is needed, if ever.

 

[virginoil]

Originally Posted By: jdavis
Originally Posted By: BTW
if I start using it it I'll be beholden to High Mileage oil from here on out.


Yes, definitely be extra cautious here. You do not want to leave the High Mileage oil in very long as the engine's brain will start to develop a tolerance for it and before you realize it you're in full blown addiction mode where it will be burning of a ton of the High Mileage oil just to make you keep putting more in during the OCI because it's addition is growing.

Do not start down this road man, get him an intervention NOW.


Help me understand the following as it relates to oil to the OPs query
engines brain ?
full blown addiction ?
get him an intervention Now ?

 

[kschachn]

Originally Posted By: BTW
Now he wants to start using High Mileage oil. Why? I have no Idea, the engine doesn't leak a drop. He told me that he picked up a jug of MaxLife to use on the next oil change. I know MaxLife is good but I have never used High Mileage oil in any car regardless of mileage and am a little concerned that if I start using it it I'll be beholden to High Mileage oil from here on out. I was planning on using Pennzoil Gold.

What do you think? Am I being overly concerned?


Way overly concerned. I'm not sure where you read that once you use High Mileage oil you have to continue, none of the manufacturer's information says that. ExxonMobil for example says there will be no benefit but no downside either. He can use it just fine.

 

[BigD1]

Some people believe that once the high mileage oil is no longer used that the seals will get sprinkled with magic pixie dust, and then the seals will instantly dry out and cause leaks.

 

[shrooms]

My Civic burns oil. It's the only reason I use HM.

 

[dlundblad]

I prefer Pennzoil High Mileage over Pennzoil Conventional. Similar add packs (even with moly), but the High Mileage formulation has a much much higher TBN. To me, that alone is a huge plus.

I am all about PM so I'd prefer to run High Mileage oil before I have an issue rather than after.

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: virginoil
Originally Posted By: jdavis
Originally Posted By: BTW
if I start using it it I'll be beholden to High Mileage oil from here on out.


Yes, definitely be extra cautious here. You do not want to leave the High Mileage oil in very long as the engine's brain will start to develop a tolerance for it and before you realize it you're in full blown addiction mode where it will be burning of a ton of the High Mileage oil just to make you keep putting more in during the OCI because it's addition is growing.

Do not start down this road man, get him an intervention NOW.


Help me understand the following as it relates to oil to the OPs query
engines brain ?
full blown addiction ?
get him an intervention Now ?


LOL priceless...

The WHOLE idea of High Mileage oil is to PREVENT problems, not fix them after the fact...

 

[ryanschillinger]

Ah... Someone doesn't understand attempted humor.

 

[Bill_G]

Originally Posted By: virginoil
Originally Posted By: jdavis
Originally Posted By: BTW
if I start using it it I'll be beholden to High Mileage oil from here on out.


Yes, definitely be extra cautious here. You do not want to leave the High Mileage oil in very long as the engine's brain will start to develop a tolerance for it and before you realize it you're in full blown addiction mode where it will be burning of a ton of the High Mileage oil just to make you keep putting more in during the OCI because it's addition is growing.

Do not start down this road man, get him an intervention NOW.


Help me understand the following as it relates to oil to the OPs query
engines brain ?
full blown addiction ?
get him an intervention Now ?


Uh - I think there's a touch of sarcasm in there. Maybe even more than a touch.

 

[SilverC6]

There is no need for the High Mileage oil.

But I don't think the Maxlife will hurt anything in the 16 year old truck.

 

[Branson304]

There will be no issues, only benefits to using high mileage oil. MaxLife is an absolutely awesome oil. I know people who use it in young cars & old cars both. I've seen MaxLife end minor oil leaks & cut back on oil burn dramatically on older engines. You can switch back to a regular oil after using high mileage with no issues, I've also seen that done. I use MaxLife in my Fusion as of my last oil change. Even if your vehicle does not leak or burn oil, the additives in high mileage will condition the seals so that they pretty much won't ever leak during the life of the vehicle. I would use MaxLife in your vehicle with no worries. It's a wonderful oil.

 

[stchman]

I have never bought into the high mileage oil thing. There are testimonials that say high mileage oil cured small oil leaks.

Of the high mileage oils out there, I have read that Valvoline MaxLife might be the best.

 

[akela]

well, it's not impossible to imagine:
1) seal rubber swelling (High Mileage oil)
2) contact pressure increases; this causes more wear on rubber
3) seal rubber un-swelling, i.e. returns to the original geometry
4) leak.