Looking for High Mileage Synthetic

[vincent714028]

I purchased a used 1997 Chevy C2500 with a 5.7L V8 that has 150,000 miles on it a few days ago.

My three previous vehicles were similarly high mileage when I purchased them. They also had 110,000+ miles on them. For those vehicles I used Pennzoil Ultra or Mobil 1 Synthetic for their cleaning ability.

I want my engines to run quietly, smoothly, and efficiently when I use them. The oils for those vehicles performed as expected and cleaned up my engines which smoothed them out. However, the engines began leaking significant amounts of oil or burning significant amounts of oil with consistent use. I expected that also and decided it is better to have a smooth running engine over one that is clogged and inefficient.

This time is different. I don't want to spend money adding oil between oil changes as this adds to my maintenance costs. These oils can be $10 per quart which adds up quick.

I want a smooth running engine but I want no burning or leaking oil down the road after 2-3 oil changes. What do you recommend?

 

[Alex_V]

My dad bought a '97 Suburban in '06 with 170,000 well-cared for miles. Since then it's had a steady diet of Maxlife 10w40 and doesn't use much more oil today than it did then. Has been known to get 21 MPG loaded with a family and their luggage on long trips, and runs silky smooth and nary a noise. It now has 430,000 miles on it. I rest my case.

 

[gabriel9766]

Valvoline full syn w/ maxlife technology. Got tht in my Malibu.

 

[Oro_O]

Everyone has their flavor they like. You'll get a lot of opinions and most of them will likely work.

In your case I would use Mobil 1 10w-30 HM. It can be had for $2/quart if you purchase in advance (during rebate period). I have one vehicle that uses it now at 275K miles and requires no make up oil between 8k OCIs on a 5qt sump. It is a Lexus/toyoya V6, though. Chevies generally will develop usage more often. On that vehicle, I get more consumption with Pennzoil head-to-head with Mobil 1, and if I use a non HM oil. Others get different results in different engines.

The 10w-30 HM is a stouter oil than the 5w and down in Alabam, I'm talking South, Like Birmingham, you never have call for a 5w30. (Sorry for the lyrics, I was channeling "Tuxedo Junction" - I was at a jazz concert last night and that was sung, and I'm originally from the South).

To get the M1 cheap, get it in 5 qt. Jugs at WM in April/May and Oct/Nov. when they hae the $2/qt rebates. It comes out to $2.25/qt that way.

After you get this question sorted, you need to make a plan to service the AT and PS systems.

 

[PimTac]

Yep. Valvoline Synpower with Maxlife Technology fits the bill here

 

[GMBoy]

I like Mobil 1 HM oil, personally - however you can get really good service out of Mobil Super HM as well and its a semi-syn for about $15 a 5 qt jug at walmart. I've been using it a lot for customer cars for people who want HM but also don't want to pay for full syn.

 

[Dallas69]

I would use a HM dino like Maxlife.
Change every 5000.
I would not use a full syn in a high mileage car as the cleaning abilities may cause leaks to appear.This happened in my old truck after running Ultra but has since stopped after a few runs of Maxlife.

 

[umungus1122]

Originally Posted By: vincent714028
I purchased a used 1997 Chevy C2500 with a 5.7L V8 that has 150,000 miles on it a few days ago.

My three previous vehicles were similarly high mileage when I purchased them. They also had 110,000+ miles on them. For those vehicles I used Pennzoil Ultra or Mobil 1 Synthetic for their cleaning ability.

I want my engines to run quietly, smoothly, and efficiently when I use them. The oils for those vehicles performed as expected and cleaned up my engines which smoothed them out. However, the engines began leaking significant amounts of oil or burning significant amounts of oil with consistent use. I expected that also and decided it is better to have a smooth running engine over one that is clogged and inefficient.

This time is different. I don't want to spend money adding oil between oil changes as this adds to my maintenance costs. These oils can be $10 per quart which adds up quick.

I want a smooth running engine but I want no burning or leaking oil down the road after 2-3 oil changes. What do you recommend?

I wouldn't use a full syn in it, even an HM one. Too much chance of a leak starting. The engine will run just as smooth and clean on a HM blend like Maxlife or any other HM conventional or blend. At that age and mileage a leak with full synthetic is a good possibility. I've seen it too many times, and it's just not worth it IMO.

 

[bbhero]

I agree with Dallas on this. Valvoline Maxlife 5w30 which is a synthetic blend oil would be a good way to go here. It is Dexos approved which makes it good oil meeting a pretty good specification. It is $16.97 for five qts at Wally World.

 

[WiskyBadger]

I bought my 99 Tahoe with 127k in December. I've been running Pennzoil Ultra no problem. Has almost 132k now

 

[vincent714028]

I want to keep it 5w30. I want it as efficient as possible to squeeze as much gas mileage out of the engine.

If I see oil burning I will move up to 10W-30.

I disagree with the idea that a synthetic oil will leak more than a mineral base oil. The additives make the difference that make leaks happen.

The cost of synthetic will force me to use a semi-syn or mineral oil.

 

[Warstud]

I'm using Castrol Magnatec Syn Blend 10w30 in my HM vehicle and noticed a difference in the way in runs. Very smooth and responsive and it cut down on the oil burning. Try it!

 

[NormanBuntz]

There's nothing wrong with Maxlife, especially in jugs at Walmart.

 

[NormanBuntz]

Originally Posted By: Alex_V
My dad bought a '97 Suburban in '06 with 170,000 well-cared for miles. Since then it's had a steady diet of Maxlife 10w40 and doesn't use much more oil today than it did then. Has been known to get 21 MPG loaded with a family and their luggage on long trips, and runs silky smooth and nary a noise. It now has 430,000 miles on it. I rest my case.


So your Dad has logged 260,000 miles on the Suburban in 11 years. He can take the credit on that. +1 on Maxlife.

 

[umungus1122]

"I disagree with the idea that a synthetic oil will leak more than a mineral base oil." If you're talking about a new engine or re-built, new gasket engine then you're correct. Synthetic oil will clean out build up around gaskets on engines that have lived 20 years on conventional oil. You don't have to believe it, as it does happen.

 

[Carbon12]

Maybe you could do one or two oil changes with a HM dino or syn blend first to provide extra seal conditioning then make the switch to HM full syn. Might reduce the chance of a leak. M1, Pennzoil, Castrol, and Valvoline all offer HM full syn products.

 

[merconvvv]

"""To get the M1 cheap, get it in 5 qt. Jugs at WM in April/May and Oct/Nov. when they hae the $2/qt rebates. It comes out to $2.25/qt that way."""

The limit of 2 jugs is for the whole year or per rebate period?
Sure be nice to be able to get 4 m1 jugs in one year at rebate prices.

 

[umungus1122]

Originally Posted By: merconvvv
"""To get the M1 cheap, get it in 5 qt. Jugs at WM in April/May and Oct/Nov. when they hae the $2/qt rebates. It comes out to $2.25/qt that way."""

The limit of 2 jugs is for the whole year or per rebate period?
Sure be nice to be able to get 4 m1 jugs in one year at rebate prices.

Per rebate period.

 

[Olas]

Another vote for Maxlife.

But,

Why won't you diagnose the cause of the oil leak/consumption and fix it? As far as I can imagine the only issues are capability and or cost.

 

[Donald]

First you should fix easy gaskets rather than expecting HM oil to fix it. You only say the car had high mileage, do you even know if it's dirty/sludge under the valve cover?

I would use a decent synthetic and see how it goes. Use a HM oil only if needed.

You may have crudded up rings causing oil usage. Even if the compression is fine. Kreen or Auto-Rx might help there.

The seal swellers are what bother me about HM oils.