How long have you run a HM oil?

[SuperDave456]

I'm curious as to how long you have run a High Mileage oil.
I'm not interested in people telling me about how it is going to "Swell Seals" or how I'd be better off with MMO.

Just want to hear your story, short or long, about how long you have run a High Mileage oil, and why.

I first tried a High Mileage oil in 2005 on my 2002 Ford Taurus. Used it once... then got away from it. Don't remember a reason. Never had a drip. Just decided that I liked the Idea... then I guess I got lazy.

Then this past year I developed a small drip. I ran 2 full clean and rinse cycles of AutoRx on this car the previous year and then attempted to do a 10,000 mile OCI with Mobil 1 10w30, topping off with synthetic 10w30 also. As the OCI progressed with the synthetic the drip appeared to get worse. I'm guessing the Mobil 1 cleaned something and created a weeping/leaking seal. (Perhaps Mobil 1, PP, GC, PU, all the synthetics do clean better than other stuff.)

I think it is from my timing chain cover, an issue I had on a 2001 Ford Taurus.
It is a bear to replace, and I'd rather not do it, so I chose a High Mileage oil. At 173,000 miles and 9 years old I think it fits the category. 3,000 miles into the OCI the leak has disappeared.

Currently I am going for a 5,000 mile OCI on Maxlife 10w30. I added a bottle of Lubro Moly MOS-2 for giggles.
Thinking I will stick with it for the long haul. The V-6 Vulcan really seems to like this combination.

What's your story?

 

[aquariuscsm]

I`m running one (Mobil 1 10W40HM) because I wanted a 10W40 synthetic,and it`s loaded with goodies,has produced impeccable uoa`s,it`s cheap,and is the smoothest oil I`ve ever used.

 

[Indydriver]

I'm new to it having just put the first load of Pennzoil High Mileage in our minivan 3000 miles ago. It's already been diagnosed as needing valve cover and manifold gaskets so I thought I'd see what it could do. I didn't expect it to solve this problem and it hasn't. I'm going to get the gasket work done, then I'm not sure what oil I'm going to use next.

 

[ARB1977]

This is my first run. Currently 6500 miles. Will change with the same oil.

 

[jagger]

Is HM really necessary? My car is high mileage I mostly just run a Conoco syn blend like Kendall or motorcraft.

 

[AdRock]

I switched to Mobil 1 High Mileage 5w30 last year because my valve seals started leaking. The HM helped. I recently decided to give the Mobil 1 10w40HM a shot. I put it in last week and it did help. I'm getting less smoke than with the 5w30. Then engine also seems to run smoother and I haven't noticed any loss in power. I still can't keep the NT05's in check in 1st or 2nd if I'm too hard on the go pedal.

 

[ltslimjim]

^If that's for the Mustang GT, probably not a bad move during this summer we're having, but IMO I'd switch back to the Mobil 1 5w30 HM this winter or when temps aren't consistently above 90. Just my opinion...

 

[Merkava_4]

I've been running MaxLife 10w30 since I got the car in 2005. I wanted the thickest
10W-30 on the market, and at the time, MaxLife was it. I also wanted an oil with
extra detergents to remove the varnish stains left by the previous owner.
Within 1700 miles, the MaxLife cleaned the engine up like new.

 

[ltslimjim]

^That's an incredible statement, it's quite hard to believe honestly. Yet, I like MaxLife so I won't contest.

...and besides I just got a gallon of this at Wal-Mart(online):

 

[charbaby]

I've been running MaxLife/HM 5W30 in my '80 Firebird FORMULA for the past 3 years now and it has indeed slowed down the dripping of oil that the car leaves on the ground. Also lately, I haven't had to add oil during the summer months so, if there was oil burning past the rings, it as slowed this down too. 1st year I didn't notice anything different. So, it has taken some time to work. I'll stick with it!

Next, I will use HM ATF and see if it takes care of or slows down the transmission fluid dripping from the front seal as I don't really want to drop the transmission. But, for now the transmission has M1 DEX/MERC ATF and I just don't want to dump it.

Previously(several years ago), I changed out many gaskets that were leaking from the beneath the car. Differential, transmission pan, valve covers. They all were leaking a bit and I couldn't park the car in the driveways of others. At my home/garage, I park in the garage over a large mat but, there is less drips that I have noticed.

She has been behaving quite nicely lately

 

[db500]

High Mileage oil will swell your seals...your better off running MMO.

 

[SuperDave456]

Good Call on the Synthetic High Mileage oils. I forgot about those.
I might check those out once I run through my stash of Dino High Mileage.

Might be a little while though. I also have some Lubro Moly Motor Oil Saver that I haven't added to anything yet. Thinking about using it to potentially change a 10w30 into something like a High Mileage 10w30.
Still reading up on threads about that though.

 

[ltslimjim]

^There was a good feel overall regarding the Motor Oil Saver, and Napa should carry it or be capable of ordering it for you for less than $10. I had it priced at a Napa that sells all kinds of Lubro Moly products(oils, adds, flushes etc), and it was between $5-$7, IIRC, though they did already have it on hand.

One oil change with that would be 'interesting' to observe changes in consumption over and if gains are seen, how long they may/may not last.

Of course, M1 and another company have synthetic High Mileage oils, I just haven't yet tried to MaxLife fully synthetic and finally got it for a great deal!

 

[Mark_S]

1999 Avalon - I used Castrol 5W30 for the first 75,000 miles (changed every 5,000 miles). Switched to Castrol 10W30 HM. At 125,000 miles I switched to Mobil 1 10W30HM, and change it about every 7 to 8,000 miles. It now has over 267,000 miles. I had the valve covers off at 210,000 miles and it was clean. No leaks and uses about a quart between oil changes.

 

[callbay]

I can't seem to find Maxlife in my area (NW Arkansas). Any chain stores carry it?

 

[ltslimjim]

Wal-Mart carries MaxLife, not sure about a particular chain store. Any Auto Zone locations?

 

[Gilstein]

I've been running pennzoil high mileage in the wife's santa fe for the last 3 or 4 changes. I came across it for about $1 a quart and stocked up. I've been changing it anywhere from 3500 to 4000 miles (manual says 3750), usually twice a year.

 

[Eosyn]

Well, I'm a valvoline fan and been using Maxlife in my vehicles that are over 100k miles. I've read about people having to add some oil in between their OCIs and I'm hoping to avoid that scenario by using High Mileage oil. All my vehicles that I've own so far has not consumed any oil in between OCIs.

I'm sure all the big name High Mileage oils do the same thing, but I've been happy with valvoline so I use their Maxlife. I'm glad to be able to find plenty of full synthetic maxlife at my local stores now because I've been waiting for their full synthetic version for years now. Will be using it in both my vehicles when my stash of Synpower runs out next OC.

 

[Eosyn]

Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
^That's an incredible statement, it's quite hard to believe honestly. Yet, I like MaxLife so I won't contest.

...and besides I just got a gallon of this at Wal-Mart(online):

Love that stuff!