Professional Mechanic's Opinion on HM Oils

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6HmEqFde...e=results_video

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Originally Posted By: Brenden
He's got a polo on and looks old, MUST KNOW 100% about what hes talking about
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And he's ASE master certified, so he's an expert on all things automotive, right?
 
They are conditioners, not swellers.

They only swell as a byproduct of the seal needing conditioning, IE replacing elastomer particles in a worn seal.

No effect on healthy seals, except keeping them healthy.

I have been running high mileage oils (or oils with add-packs good enough to be high-mileage branded) since new on all of my vehicles.
 
I am also an ASE master with 30 years experience and I pretty much agree with the guy. Dont use any oil additives unless theres some problem your trying to fix on an older vehicle you dont want to put money in.
 
Originally Posted By: bradepb
I am also an ASE master with 30 years experience and I pretty much agree with the guy. Dont use any oil additives unless theres some problem your trying to fix on an older vehicle you dont want to put money in.


I think the problem is the confusion between oil additives and high-mileage oil. High Mileage oils don't have the seal swellers that some oil additives do. So there's no "commitment" if you switch to a High Mileage oil.
 
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Do I have to wait until my car reaches 75,000 miles before I can use MaxLife?

Valvoline MaxLife motor oil is designed for high mileage vehicles of 75,000 miles or more. However, it is perfectly acceptable to use the high mileage motor oil in new or used vehicles with less than 75,000 miles.




It's a myth you can't go back and fort. High Mileage oils don't contain excessive amount of seal conditioners like the other products out there meant for this type of application. You can switch back and forth with no problems.
 
Originally Posted By: ABerns
I think the problem is the confusion between oil additives and high-mileage oil. High Mileage oils don't have the seal swellers that some oil additives do. So there's no "commitment" if you switch to a High Mileage oil.


And there are a few high mileage oils (Mobil Super 2000 up here, for instance), that are fully SN and GF-5 approved, so would be no problem with a brand new vehicle, should one choose to use it. Valvoline claims that MaxLife is perfectly acceptable in brand new vehicles.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: Brenden
He's got a polo on and looks old, MUST KNOW 100% about what hes talking about
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And he's ASE master certified, so he's an expert on all things automotive, right?

And we know how much an average mechanic knows about oil, right?
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Pat Goss is a radio and TV personality, first and foremost these days. I wonder how much time he really has left to get his hands dirty on the shop floor nowadays.

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Here are some of the things keeping Pat busy:

Motorweek TV - Resident Master Technician. - Station Schedule
Goss' Garage on 3WT Radio - Pat hosts this live talk show on Saturdays from 11 am - 3 pm. Live streaming at www.3wtradio.com or Broadcast 107.7 FM and 1500 AM
Goss' Garage on WJFK 106.7 FM - Pat hosted this live talk show for 15 years.
Goss' Garage on Cable News Channel 8 - Saturday Mornings from 9:00 - 9:30 am EST
Washington Post - Columnist for Goss' Garage
National Corvette Owner's Association (NCOA) - Columnist for Goss' Garage
Consumer Awareness Classes
Special Appearances including Cars at Carlisle
 
Originally Posted By: buster
Quote:

It's a myth you can't go back and fort. High Mileage oils don't contain excessive amount of seal conditioners like the other products out there meant for this type of application. You can switch back and forth with no problems.

I'm not a fan of High Mileage oils considering them largely a marketing gimmick. That said all oils and particularly syn' oils contain seal conditioners in unknown quantities.

But according to Pat Goss it's pretty clear you can't go back once you've used a designated High Mileage oil.
As QP pointed out Pat a pretty popular guy.
Since he was displaying Mobil 1 oils, (a paid product placement?)if Mobil had a problem with his statement, why wouldn't they have him provide a retraction or clarification?
 
CATERHAM, they are not a marketing gimmick. In fact, one of Valvoline's chemists uses MaxLife in his vehicle. Ask XOM or Valvoline about the seal conditioners and whether you can switch back and forth. They will both tell youi it's not an issue. Seal conditioners vary by brand too. What you want to avoid are the after market bottled stop leak type additives. Pat Gross is often misinformed and I don't put much into what he says.
 
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if Mobil had a problem with his statement, why wouldn't they have him provide a retraction or clarification?


No.
 
Valvoline's Tech Line specifically told me that they are no swellers, but conditioners that keep the seals pliable. This is an old myth.

And, an XOM guy on here said XOM tested seal conditioners and it's no harm using a HM product on a new vehicle and you can switch back/forth as much as you like.
 
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Somewhere on Mobil's FAQ,it says you can use their High Mileage oils from the very beginning.

Does it say you can stop using High Mileage after you started?
 
Originally Posted By: buster
CATERHAM, they are not a marketing gimmick. In fact, one of Valvoline's chemists uses MaxLife in his vehicle. Ask XOM or Valvoline about the seal conditioners and whether you can switch back and forth. They will both tell youi it's not an issue. Seal conditioners vary by brand too. What you want to avoid are the after market bottled stop leak type additives. Pat Gross is often misinformed and I don't put much into what he says.

Buster lets agree to disagree. Yes I consider High Mileage oils a marketing gimmick. If I'm not mistaken they're predominately a North American phenomenon.
And what's the problem with trying a specific seal swell additive product if that's the problem you're trying to rectify?
Valvoline's claim that they may be "too aggresive" or one may use the wrong dosage as simply supporting their own product IMO.

I'm not saying Pat Goss is correct at all, I just find the Mobil 1 High Mileage product he's taking about as odd. Does Mobil know? Did they pay for the product placement?
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
Somewhere on Mobil's FAQ,it says you can use their High Mileage oils from the very beginning.

Does it say you can stop using High Mileage after you started?


Man i'm not sure. I'm thinking the question someone had asked was about using it on a new car that needed either a 40 weight or that had a flat tapped/high zddp requirement.
 
Valvoline High Mileage oils have higher detergent levels than Synpower. Thom Smith will confirm. Basically, you're paying for a synthetic blend oil that has lower quality base oisl but a beefed up additive package. MaxLife has higher anti wear additives, more seal conditioners and detegerents. Synpower has a great resistance to oxidation and better stability in higher and lower temperatures.

Mobil 1 High Mileage has greater detergency than regular Mobil 1. They are niche products and not really necessary for those using synthetics from the beginning.

It clear states though off the new MaxLife PDS that you can use MaxLife in high mileage, new and rebuilt engines and that is what I was pointing out.
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